The Best Winter Turnout Rug for my Horse

Introduction

Equestrians are you ready for the cold months of the year and do you have a serviceable winter turnout rug for your horse? Perhaps you need to invest in a new turnout rug and need the best winter turnout rug for your budget and your horse’s comfort. 

The good news, you will make an informed decision using the information we provide right here, so let’s crack on. The six things you need to know in preparation for your new purchase are:

• Waterproofing material
• Internal Insulation
• Rug weight
• Construction quality
• Parts of the horse’s body covered
• Rug fitting methods.

So let’s look at these considerations right now.

Winter Turnout Rugs – Waterproofing Material

All turn-out rugs are intended to be waterproof but some will stand the test of time and keep your horse’s back dry. The lightweight summer turnout rugs are cheap but not designed for winter. They are generally showerproof so don’t use these on top of stable rugs when turning your horse out in winter. At this time of year, middleweight and heavyweight turnout rugs are the best options for keeping a horse dry.
 

The actual waterproof material is generally synthetic and the more expensive rugs are breathable. Breathable rugs are fashionable but your horse is turned out in winter and there will be plenty of ventilation coming under his rug. Nevertheless, these rugs are generally well constructed.
 

Some rugs are made from natural materials like canvas. These rugs have the disadvantage of needing reproofing more frequently than synthetic rugs. They are usually harder to clean than synthetic rugs and generally heavier to lift up when wet. Buying a synthetic turnout rug is the best option.

Winter Turnout Rugs – Internal Insulation

Winter turn-out rugs come in different weights with the heaviest being the warmest. Follow down this list for more information.

• Summer turn-out rugs have no filling (not for winter)
• Lightweight rugs have up to 150 grams of filling
• Middleweight rugs have between 150 and 300 grams of filling
• Heavyweight rugs have over 300 grams of filling.

Most horses need middleweight or heavy-weight turn-out rugs, although all turnout rugs can be worn over stable rugs. If you do this you may have to use a larger turnout rug to ensure good fitting over the stable rug.

Winter Turnout Rugs – Construction Quality

Most turnout rugs are made of ripstop material and this means that they are less easily ripped and if they do, the rip is generally smaller. The actual strength of the rug is measured in denier. The higher the denier level the stronger and thicker the outer rug layer is. Follow down this list for more information:

• A 600D turnout rug will be the least durable
• But a 1200D turnout rug will be more durable
• While a 1680D turnout rug will be highly durable.

So go for a ripstop material with at least 1200D for increased durability.

WinterTurnout Rugs – Parts of the Horse’s Body Covered

The neck design of rugs will vary as some come with integrated full neck sections while others have no neck sections or detachable neck full sections. Some rugs have integrated half-neck lengths. Full and integrated neck sections are a real benefit in harsher weather conditions and keep the neck of the horse dry. The detachable varieties work well but there will be slight leakage where the neck part joins the main body of the rug.

The choice is up to you and neck sections obviously provide extra protection. However, some naughty horses learn to lift electric fencing enough to wriggle under the bottom strand. The neck section insulates them from the electric pulse, so if you use electric fences and have an escape rascal go for turnout rugs with detachable neck sections.

Winter Turnout Rugs – Rug Fitting Methods

Most turn-out rugs are secured by crossover surcingles running under the horse’s belly and hind leg straps secured on the same side around each of the horse’s legs. Some don’t have hind leg straps but are secured by a fillet string positioned behind the tail. The best rugs will have both fillet strings and hind leg straps. Go for a rug with crossover surcingles and both leg straps and a fillet string for maximum security.

In Conclusion

Well, you have read all of the considerations and are ready to purchase the best rug for your horse. Here is the summary of all things to know and good luck with your new purchase:

• Breathable synthetic rugs are best
• For a lightweight rug pick a 150-gram weight
• But for a middle-weight rug go for a 300-gram weight
• While for a really snug heavy weight go for a 450-gram weight
• Ripstop material tears less easily
• Go for at least 1200D for increased durability and ideally 1680D for high durability
• Pick a rug with leg straps and a fillet string.