A simple guide to rugging your Horse this Winter

Winter Rugging

It's now that time of year, to start digging out the winter rugs! Otherwise known as, the worst season for Equestrians...We all care deeply about our horses', and making sure they're at the right temperature on these chilly nights is a priority for us.  However, we need to do this correctly and safely for our 4-legged friends.

 

The importance of change in temperature and when to rug

Horses don’t feel the cold like we do. Horses have a much wider thermoneutral zone than us: starting to feel the cold at 0°C and feeling hot around 25°C. Therefore, when you’re feeling the cold, our horses are still comfortable which is why we should never judge how to rug, by our own temperature gauge. They also create warmth by thermoregulation (internal body temperature at approx. 38°C) – caused by energy stored in the food your horse eats. Horses also hold heat very well! You’ll notice if your horse is naked when they do start to feel the cold, their hair will begin to stand up to create a ‘warmth shield’. As you understand, rugging can be dependent on age and weight. For example, horses use a considerable amount of energy to keep warm, therefore if heavily rugged, any excess energy will be deposited as fat – an already overweight horse can be putting more weight on due to their rugging schedules and vice-versa.

How to judge if they're cold or not; the majority of people will say to feel your horses' ears as an accurate indication of whether they're too hot or too cold. However, this has been proven to be a poor judgment. Instead, try placing your hand on the inside of the rug by the withers- change to weight or add a rug if they feel cold, or if it's feeling humid/damp go down a weight, or remove the rug.

It's super important to understand the effects of temperatures when rugging your horse in Winter. As although it may be cold out, your horse can get extremely unsettled and stressed if they become too hot due to being over-rugged. If in doubt, trust your instincts!

Use the below guide from Weatherbeeta for advice:

                                                                   

 

Using Liners

Weatherbeeta have turned their focus on keeping their range more precise and easier for their customers. To do this, they have concentrated on their Liner System.

Using Weatherbeeta Liners and Liner compatible rugs has many benefits. Firstly, you're automatically reducing the amount of tack room space you're taking up...meaning more room for your saddle pad collection! Secondly, you're helping the environment; although a small change, it can still help. By using the liners, you're reducing the number of rugs you're buying year on year. Not only that but purchasing Weatherbeeta who uses some environmentally friendly processes and technologies through manufacturing will also contribute to this factor. And lastly, the liners are easy to use, and you can create different weights for efficiency with already existing rugs - using liners can create efficient layers of warmth for your horses on freezing days and nights.

Available in Medium/Lite, Medium, and Heavyweights, starting at £56.69.

The Turnout Rugs that are liner compatible are;

WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Cozi

WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Tough

WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free

WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Plus Dynamic

Stable Rugs that are liner compatible;

WeatherBeeta ComFiTec PP Channel Quilt

 

    

 

Our Top Picks

We've picked out the best rugs for these cold months ahead. From premium to entry prices, we've got you covered this Winter!

Premium Picks

1. The perfect choice for your wrecker- the ultimate in strength and protection, the Ultra Tough II Detch-A-Neck Medium-lite  2. A great price for the technology, the Weatherbeeta Comfitec Plus Dynamic II Medium-Lite Combo Neck Rug is packed with extra features and super warmth.

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Heavy Weight Choices

Classic style at a great price. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Classic Combo Neck Heavy. 

Available in the classic Red and the new Gunmetal/Coral. Click on the images below to shop!

 

             

 

Medium Weight Picks

1. Another Classic style at a great price. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Classic Combo Neck Medium features a tough 600 denier ripstop outer shell with repel shell coating that is both waterproof and breathable with 220g of warm polyfill.  2. A strong style with a good price; Featuring a smooth and durable 210T polyester lining, traditional side gusset for natural movement, twin adjustable buckle front closure, adjustable & removable leg straps, twin low cross surcingles and standard tail flap - Essential Combo Neck Medium.

 

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Stable Rugs Top Picks

1. A great everyday stable rug: The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec 210D Channel Quilt combo Neck stable rug features a 210 denier channel quilted outer with a 210T polyester lining, warm 110g of polyfill. 2. The Weatherbeeta Comfitec Channel Quilt Combo Neck Medium Rug is a great every day stable rug: with a 210T polyester lining, warm 250g of polyfill, and touch tape loop to fold back combo neck for extra versatility to become a standard neck style.

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Fleeces!

The versatile WeatherBeeta Fleece Cooler Standard Neck is a breathable and wickable fleece rug to keep your horse comfortable and dry. Available in a variety of colours and prints!

Click on the images below to shop!

 

 

Cleaning and Storing

It's a big task, but one your future self will thank you for; keeping your rugs clean and storing them effectively.  Here are some top tips from Weatherbeeta:

1. Remove excess dirt.
2. Hand wash at a cool temperature using a non-biological soap (washing in high temperatures can damage the waterproof nature of the fabric).
3. Drip/Air dry. Do not tumble dry.
4. Always store in a cool, dry place.

We recommend washing your rugs carefully and giving them a good brush down once any mud has dried, especially on buckles and clips - anything like this will help keep your winter rugs in good condition for next year.

Your WeatherBeeta Rug may benefit from reproofing every so often. If the water no longer ‘beads off’ the Rug, this may suggest that it needs reproofing. It must be remembered, however, that although re-proofing will help keep your Rug waterproof, it isn’t a permanent waterproof coating.

Weatherbeeta's spare rug bags are also perfect for keeping your rugs organised when stored away this winter! - https://www.weatherbeeta.co.uk/blog/post/spring_cleaning

             

 

Checkout our other rug brands here!