If your horse is stabled over the winter, you have probably considered which type of rug is most appropriate for them to wear.
Whether you decide to rug your horse or not will depend on a variety of factors including age, weight, breed, condition, if they are clipped, and of course their health.
Ultimately it is up to us to make a decision about what is best for our horse as they are all individuals with different needs. What is most suitable for your horse may not be best for another horse on the yard.
A horse that is stabled will not be able to move around as much to keep warm compared to a horse that is turned out. However, they will benefit having shelter from the wind and rain.
If you’ve decided to rug your horse, you may be tempted to leave them in their turnout rug overnight. This can be a time saver for early mornings and reduces the number of rugs you need.
However, there are a few factors to consider. In this blog, we are going to discuss the benefits of using a stable rug.
1. Keep your horse’s body heat for warmth
Winter in the UK is notoriously wet. You will have more than a few days when you bring your horse in with a soaking wet rug. Fortunately, he should still be dry thanks to waterproof lining in the rug. Unfortunately, we don’t all have a solarium to dry our rugs in! You might think the next best thing is to leave your horse rugged and let his body heat dry the rug off. Doing so will hinder your horse’s ability to keep himself warm as his body heat will be drying the rug instead. Imagine coming in from a very wet walk and having to sit in your wet rain coat all night with no heating on. You may find an increase in your hay bill too as your horse eats more to keep up with the extra body heat required.
The best thing to do when your horse comes in on a wet day is to change him into a dry stable rug. You can hang your turnout rug up to air dry overnight or better yet, take it home to dry in the warm if your partner doesn’t mind. It’s a good idea to have a spare turnout rug just in case your rug hasn’t fully dried by the morning.
2. Keep an eye on body condition
Another benefit of using a stable rug at night is the changing of rugs helps to spot deteriorations in your horse’s body condition. Some rugs can cause rubs, sore, cuts, or general uncomfortable areas for your horse, particularly if they are not well fitted. If you are not changing your horse’s rug regularly you will be less likely to spot these issues early on. With any rubs, the sooner you can spot them and action, the easier they are to manage and recover from. Changing into a stable rug every evening provides the opportunity for a quick groom and to give your horse’s body a check over.
3. Stable rugs are easier to keep clean
We all know horses aren’t always the cleanest. Unwanted stable stains can ruin your horse’s coat. Using a stable rug will help to prevent this. Stable rugs are not waterproof and as such can easily be washed with non-biological detergent in the washing machine when they are smelly or dirty. If you are using a turnout rug in the stable, you will have to reproof the rug after every wash to ensure the rug retains its waterproof quality. This is more expensive and time consuming than using a stable rug.
Now you know the benefits of using a stable rug, it’s time to choose the correct one for your horse. We have rounded up 3 of the best stable rugs for 2022 for you to choose from.
Best value for money
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec 210D Channel Quilt Standard Neck Medium
If you’re looking for a high-quality stable rug at an affordable price, this rug ticks all of the boxes. It features a 210-denier outer, a warm and cosy 250g polyfill insulation, and a channel quilt design which keeps the polyfill insulation in place for optimum coverage. Complete with adjustable front buckle closure, twin cross surcingles, and 100% boa fleece wither for comfort. Standard neck style.
Shop WeatherBeeta ComFiTec 210D Channel Quilt Standard Neck Medium here
Best all rounder
WeatherBeeta Green-Tec Stable Combo Neck Medium/Lite
This stable rug is a good choice if you’re looking to spend a bit more money for a more versatile style. It features a 150-denier diamond weave PCR outer fabric which is made from recycled bottles – perfect for the environmentally conscious. This combo neck style has a cosy 150g recycled polyfill insulation, and a touch tape loop to fold back the neck to become a standard neck style. Traditional side gussets allow for natural movement. Complete with twin quick clip adjustable front closure, win cross surcingles, and tail cord.
Shop WeatherBeeta Green-Tec Stable Combo Neck Medium/Lite here
Best comfort
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Diamond Quilt Standard Neck Medium
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort, say hello to the Deluxe Diamond Quilt. This rug has a 1200-denier diamond quilted outer with a soft teddy fleece lining. Filled with 250g polyfill and topped with a cozi collar, this rug will give your horse a taste of luxury. This rug also features a fleece wither relief pad for comfort, twin quick clip front closures, twin cross surcingles, and a tail cord.
Shop WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Diamond Quilt Standard Neck Medium here
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