Is a rug really necessary?

Horses have a far wider thermoneutral zone than people, so just because we feel it’s cold doesn’t mean horses need rugging. For most unclipped horses, rugs are not needed until temperatures drop to between 5°C and 10°C overnight, or until the weather becomes particularly wet and windy.

When deciding whether to rug or not it is important also to consider your horse’s age, breed, coat/whether he is clipped or not, workload and access to shelter/a stable and forage. Assessing your horse’s body condition is vital going into winter — it is the perfect time to encourage weight loss for overweight horses by leaving them unrugged or rugging strategically.

Natives and cobs often adapt well to colder temperatures, but will need access to shelter and forage if they are to live out unrugged. Those with thinner coats (such as Thoroughbreds) or who have been clipped will need an appropriate rug as their coat cannot provide sufficient insulation.

Underweight animals will need extra measures in cold weather to prevent increased weight loss due to body energy stores being used to keep warm. Older and younger animals or those with health issues may struggle to regulate their body temperature, so will need an appropriate rug.

Have your vet check your horse if you have any concerns; health problems such as arthritis are worse in cold and damp weather. Any issues causing pain and reduced mobility further reduce a horse’s ability to generate warmth.

Always start with a lightweight rug and increase the weight if needed — it is much easier for horses to warm themselves up than to cool down.