The main purpose of any horse rug is to provide protection. There are various types of horse rugs available to provide protection in different ways. Some are made to provide warmth, some to keep them dry and others to keep them clean. As a beginner in the equestrian world, you may have not even been aware that there were different types of rugs available or may be confused with which rug is suitable for your horse.
Here are some of the different types of horse rugs and their uses:
Turnout rugs
Turnout rugs are designed to keep your horses warm and dry whilst being turned out. ‘Turned out’ refers to moving your horses to a pasture or strip of land that allows them to freely move about and play. Depending on the conditions, you may require a variety of turnout rugs.
Stable rugs
Just as the name suggests, a stable rug is used to keep your horse warm and clean in their stable during colder climates. They are usually padded and come in various weights. However, stable rugs are not waterproof and aren’t suitable for outside use unlike the turnout rug.
Coolers/fleece rugs
These are breathable rugs which can be used for different purposes such as wicking away moisture from a horse’s wet coat. It can also be used to regulate their body temperatures. Caribu horse rugs are a good option that helps regulate the temperature of a horse especially during cooler weather.
Summer sheets and fly rugs
They are, as the name says, used in the summer to provide protection from the sun, dust and flies. They protect the coat of darker horses from sun bleaching and the coat of lighter horses from sun burn. Summer sheets are made of lightweight, breathable materials.
Show rugs
Show sheets and rugs come in a range of fabrics and styles and are used to keep your horse clean while having them look show-ready. This rug is mainly if you are planning on applying your horse for any sort of competition. The type of show rug you choose also depends on the time of year in which you are planning to compete as well.
Sweet itch rugs
Sweet itch, as wellas identified as summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis is a common allergic skin condition in horses. Sweet itch rugs are designed to protect horses from the sweet itch condition.
Exercise sheet
Exercise sheets are a style of rug that is used to keep your horses dry and protected from the breeze and rain throughout exercise and when they are being ridden. The exercise sheet will cover your horse’s saddle underneath the saddle from the front to the rear.
With this guide, you will be able to easily distinguish between the different types of rugs. Each rug serves a different purpose so identify your horse’s needs and choose the rugs that would benefit your horse. Investing in a small amount for a rug can help keep protect your horse throughout the year. Investing more in a quality rug can keep your horse warm and comfortable for years.
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