Horse stable rugs are used to keep your horse or pony warm whilst it is in its box. The horse stable rug is designed for indoor use and not for wearing whilst outside and so its purpose is to keep your horse warm, not to keep it dry. Horse stable rugs are not waterproof.
As with other horse rugs, stable horse rugs come in three different levels of warmth. A heavyweight horse stable rug will contain over 300 grams of filling, a middle weight stable rug between 150 grams and 300 grams whilst its lightweight variant will have up to 150 grams of filling.
A horse stable rug will come in a variety of colours and materials, but most will be designed from breathable materials allowing perspiration to wick away from the horse’s body. As with horse turnout rugs, horse exercise rugs and others, a “combo” horse stable rug will come with a neck cover already built in, whilst other stable horse rugs may have a neck cover that can be added or removed as and when needed.
The decision as to whether to use a lightweight stable rug, medium weight stable rug or heavyweight stable rug will depend not only on temperature but also on whether your horse has a tendency to feel the cold. A horse that has a short coat and is stabled during both the day and night is much more likely to feel the cold and need a warmer horse stable rug than a horse with a longer coat and is used to being turned out during the day. A general rule of thumb is that a heavier horse stable rug should be used at night when the temperature falls, with a lighter horse stable rug used during the day.
As with horse turnout rugs you may consider buying a lightweight horse stable rug and using a horse blanket, horse rug fleece or horse rug liner underneath the horse stable rug to provide extra warmth as and when needed.
You should ensure that your horse stable rug is fitted properly, particularly round the neck. If you buy to big a horse stable rug this may cause rubbing which can lead to balding and skin complaints for your horse; too tight and the horse stable rug may not leave enough room for movement which can cause distress to your horse.
Popular manufacturers of horse stable rugs include Masta, Rambo, Mark Todd and WeatherBeeta.
Here at horserugs.me.uk we are pleased to recommend the following books which tell you all you need to know about horse rugs.
