Selecting The Proper Horse Rugs

By Katrina Wheeler


Protecting the ones we love is very important. When the ones we love are horses we must consider the best options for protection. They often need assistance to stay dry, warm up and cool down. Horse rugs provide additional assistance when weather conditions become extreme.

Coverlets come in many different weights, colors and sizes. Most cloaks have clips and straps for added security. There are attachments from under the belly, between and around the back legs and around the chest. Using sheets, which are light weight, are perfect for the summer months and are effective in protecting your equestrian friend from insects. Heavier blankets are used during the brutal winter months to provide additional protection from rain, sleet and snow.

In order to keep your equestrian friend warm on harsh winter days, use a thick and heavy weighted fleece blanket. Many blankets have the added benefit of being water resistant or water proof. If you need even more protection, you may choose to add a neck cover.

Each different style and type of blanket has a purpose. There are turnout, cooling, fly and stable blankets. You will find that the weight will also vary according to its use. Some people use an anti-sweat cover to assist in absorbing excess water, before using one of the other types of blanket.

Turnout blankets are great to use when your equestrian friend is out to pasture. Stable wraps are excellent when he is locked up in the barn. Fly sheets are perfect for summer days when the flies are out. Cooling wraps are used to help a horse's temperature return to normal after exercise. When determining what type of blanket you want, remember the physical needs of your animal as well as the climate in which he will reside.

If your animal is damp, it would be important to use an anti-sweat sheet, which is usually made of cotton, to absorb excess moisture from his coat. This should be removed before blanketing. He should receive a good rub down with dry towels before placing the blanket on him. Your animal should be dry before blanketing, otherwise, it could hold the moisture in, and he could become ill.

Allow your animals natural coat to grow. During the fall months as the weather changes, allow him to be exposed to the cooler fall air. This will encourage his winter coat to begin to grow. If you place blankets on him too early in the season, it will prevent his coat from growing. If his coat is short and think, he will need to wear his jacket until the warmer season begins.

During extreme weather, you will need the correct equestrian provisions. The safety of your hoofed friends takes precedence. Horse rugs provide exceptional protection from the harshest of environments. They provide warmth in the winter, cool in the summer, protection from irritating insects, fleece for additional comfort and warmth and water-proofing for rain and snow. No matter what season, there is a perfect rug and the horses will look so cute wearing them too.




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