Horse Rugs Fit For Summer

A horse rug is designed to add an extra layer of protection, keeping your horse warm, comfortable and clean all year round. With so many different types of horse rug available in various styles, choosing the best fit for your horses’ lifestyle can be challenging. With the warm weather among us, we’ve pulled together an easy guide on the best horse rugs for the summer so you can rest assured that your horse is comfortable and protected from the direct sunlight, reducing the risk of a bleached coat and damaged skin.

Turnout rugs

Being a staple in the warmer months, quality turnout rugs offer a great level of protection against the sunny weather. Their lightweight material allows the skin to breathe by letting a flow of fresh air through so your horse can stay nice and cool during the heat. As well as keeping the direct rays of sunlight off of their back, a turnout rug is also suitable for any unexpected rain showers, keeping them dry so you don’t have to worry about dashing outside to get them in on time. For horses who spend a long amount of their time outside enjoying the fields, turnout rugs are highly recommended when the sun is shining, keeping their body cool as well as keeping any dirt and debris off their coat.

Fly sheets

When the sun comes out, so do the flies! Flies, mosquitos and other biting insects are a big annoyance for horse owners during the warmer weather, causing irritation to their horses and risking nasty diseases being transmitted. Fly rugs are designed using material technology that prevents flies from coming near or patterns such as zebra print which naturally deter insects from approaching. For areas where biting insects are a large problem, cover more of the body with tummy wraps, neck covers and fly masks for optimum protection.

Cooler rugs

Cooler rugs can have various uses during the warmer weather, being an essential for certain horse owners. Their lightweight design contains a soft lining and wicking properties, a comfortable design for the horse which is ideal for the warmer weather. The breathable fabric prevents the body from changing temperature too quickly so their body can gradually regulate itself, keeping your horse as comfortable as possible. Cooler rugs are ideal for horses with an active lifestyle, being used after intense exercise to regulate their body temperature and help them recover quicker.

The denier refers to the strength of the outer material. The higher the denier rating, the more tightly woven the threads are to reduce the chance of damage from other horses or protruding branches.

Finding the right design for your horse

When you shop for horse rugs, you will notice the range of different options available. The different weights are portrayed in grams and determine the amount of filling used; for the summer months, a lower weight is more suitable so your horse gets the benefits without getting too warm. Another rating you will see a lot is the denier; this refers to the strength of the outer material. The higher the denier rating, the more tightly woven the threads are to reduce the chance of damage from other horses or protruding branches.