12/12/2025
On the second Thursday of every month, the Training team are sharing their top tips and tricks - helpful for both Members and Non-Members. 🎉 This month, we're talking about something that most horse owners find themselves thinking about at this time of year - rugging!
Reasons a horse may need a rug:
❄️A clipped horse will need appropriate rugging to make up for the loss of their natural coat.
❄️Breeds such as Thoroughbreds or Arabs that may have a thinner winter coat.
❄️Older horses who may struggle to regulate their body temperature.
❄️An underweight horse, to avoid them using more energy to stay warm.
Remember to remove and check a horse’s rug daily. Horses living outside in turnout rugs must be checked at least twice daily, and the rugs readjusted as necessary.
Horses can stay naturally warm through use of field shelters, self-protection (huddling in a herd and turning backs to the wind), heat-production through forage intake and their very own built-in insulation - a winter coat!
There are some risks to over-rugging:
❄️Sweating and stress - an over-rugged horse will become hot, causing them to sweat, feel uncomfortable and could lead to skin conditions due to bacteria growth.
❄️Weight management - horses may become too warm, therefore entering spring and summer at an increased risk of laminitis due to further weight gain.
Remember, this is a general guide without factoring in breeds/ages/fitness levels etc - nobody knows your horse better than you! 💜
