Horse rug types explained

Walk into any saddlery and you'll find walls of rugs: turnouts, stable rugs, coolers, fly rugs, combos and liners, in every weight and colour. They aren't interchangeable. Using the wrong type – a stable rug in the rain, or a heavy rug on a warm day – can leave a horse wet and cold or hot and sweating.

This guide explains what each main type of rug is for. To decide whether and when to rug, read our horse rugging guide first.

First question: does your horse need a rug at all?

Many horses don't need one much of the time. An Australian survey of 2,659 horses found 84.8% were rugged at some point in the year, yet 69.5% of owners weren't sure whether their horse needed a rug (Australian Veterinary Journal survey). The same research puts the temperature below which horses not used to cold winters start spending extra energy to stay warm at under 5°C, and the point where they start working to lose heat at somewhere between 20 and 30°C.

New Zealand's Code of Welfare notes that unclipped horses and ponies turned out with reasonable shelter generally adapt well, and once fully acclimatised may not need covering if they have enough feed. It says a waterproof, well-insulated cover is necessary in cold weather for horses that aren't acclimatised, and for clipped, sick, injured and old horses (MPI Code of Welfare).

The BHS Stage 1 syllabus expects grooms to know the main rug types and when a rug isn't required (BHS Stage 1 Care).

The main types of rug

The BHS Stage 1 syllabus names four core types: turnout rug, stable rug, cooler and fly rug (BHS Stage 1 Care). Pony Club Australia's B Certificate also expects riders to compare canvas, synthetic and cotton or summer rugs for the local climate (PCA B Certificate assessment sheet).

Turnout rugs

What they're for: horses living out in the paddock.

Turnout rugs have a waterproof outer shell and are cut to let the horse move, graze, roll and lie down. They come unlined (often called a "sheet" or "rainsheet") or with fill for warmth. Victoria's Code recommends rugs are fit for purpose, particularly in hot, cold or wet weather, and that rugs used in wet weather are waterproof (Code of Practice). New Zealand's Code adds that rugs worn in bad weather need to be kept waterproof (MPI Code of Welfare).

Turnouts are made in canvas or synthetic fabrics, and Pony Club's B Certificate asks candidates to weigh up the pros and cons of each for their area (PCA B Certificate).

Watch for: leaks, tears and broken straps. A turnout that has lost its waterproofing can leave a horse wetter and colder than no rug. Check under it daily.

Stable rugs

What they're for: horses kept in a stable or yard under cover.

Stable rugs aren't waterproof. They're warmer and softer for their weight than a turnout, but if they get wet they hold the water against the horse. Keep them for horses that are stabled or under shelter.

Coolers

What they're for: helping a hot, sweaty or wet horse dry off after work, washing or travel.

Coolers are made from fabric that lets moisture move away from the coat. The BHS Stage 1 syllabus includes using a cooler as part of grooming a horse after exercise (BHS Stage 1 Care). Take the cooler off once the horse is dry – it isn't a substitute for a turnout or stable rug.

Fly rugs and summer rugs

What they're for: protecting against insects, and sometimes sun.

Fly rugs are usually a light mesh. Summer or cotton rugs are light, close-woven sheets often used to keep a horse clean or keep flies off. Be careful in strong sun: a Charles Sturt University pilot study found horses in a light-coloured cotton rug in direct sun for two hours had higher rectal temperatures and sweated more than unrugged horses, although they swished their tails less (Padalino et al., Charles Sturt University). The researchers recommended shade over these rugs for heat. Fly masks and fly veils are a separate item for the face and ears.

Neck rugs, hoods, combos and liners

Many turnouts and stable rugs come with a detachable neck rug, or as a "combo" with the neck built in. Liners are thin rugs worn under another rug to add warmth. These add flexibility, but layering makes it easier to over-rug and harder to see the horse – check under every layer.

Rug weight and fill

Rugs are sold by fill, often described as lightweight, mediumweight and heavyweight, or in grams of fill. Outer fabrics are often described by denier, a measure of yarn thickness that manufacturers use to signal how tough a shell is.

We haven't found an Australian or New Zealand authority, or peer-reviewed research, that sets a standard for rug weights or matches them to temperatures, so we don't give a weight-by-temperature chart. Labels aren't standardised between brands. The horse rugging guide gives a way to decide based on weather, coat, clip, condition, shelter and feed, and how to check under the rug with your hand.

Two welfare rules apply whatever the weight:

• Victoria's Code sets a minimum standard that rugging must suit the weather and must not cause heat stress (Code of Practice).
• New Zealand's Code recommends checking regularly that the weight of rug is right for the conditions, and that horses will need different rugs in summer and winter (MPI Code of Welfare).

Matching rug to clip

A clipped horse has lost insulation, so it usually needs more help in cold weather. Victoria's Code recommends horses clipped during winter are rugged, except when working or in very mild weather (Code of Practice). New Zealand's Code says clipped horses should be stabled or given extra rugs, shelter or feed to suit the weather, and that horses shouldn't be clipped ahead of cold, wet weather unless these are available (MPI Code of Welfare). See our horse clipping guide.

Fit and safety

Every type of rug needs to fit. The BHS Stage 1 syllabus checks length, depth, strap adjustment and the common places for rubs and sores (BHS Stage 1 Care). Victoria's Code also recommends (Code of Practice):

• Rugs are well fitting and in good repair.
• Any rug that has caused injury or disease isn't put back on the horse.
• Horses get used to wearing a rug before being turned out in one.

Its minimum standards require rugged horses to be checked often for injury or entanglement, and rugs to be removed at least weekly to check body condition, skin and rubbing. New Zealand's Code recommends inspecting rugs daily for fit and loose or broken straps (MPI Code of Welfare).

See our rug fitting guide for how to measure, and rug care and washing to keep turnouts waterproof. Pony Club Australia's certificates also cover maintaining rugs (PCA Syllabus).

A basic rug wardrobe

Most horses don't need every type. A sensible starting point is to think about how your horse lives:

• Unclipped paddock horse with good shelter and feed: possibly no rug, or a waterproof turnout sheet for wet, windy spells, and a fly rug or mask if flies are bad.
• Clipped horse living out: turnout rugs suited to the clip and climate, and a cooler for after work.
• Stabled horse: stable rugs for inside, a turnout for paddock time, and a cooler.
• Older or poor-doing horse: may need more rug help in cold, wet weather – alongside extra feed and a vet check on why it is struggling. See body condition scoring.

Browse saddleries near you on horse.work for rugs, fittings and repairs.

FAQ

What's the difference between a turnout rug and a stable rug?

A turnout rug has a waterproof shell for paddock use. A stable rug isn't waterproof and is meant for horses under cover. Victoria's Code recommends waterproof rugs in wet weather (Code of Practice).

What is a cooler rug used for?

Helping a hot or wet horse dry off after work, washing or travel (BHS Stage 1 Care). Remove it once the horse is dry.

What rug weight does my horse need?

There is no official chart. Decide based on weather, coat, clip, body condition, shelter and feed, and check under the rug by hand – see the horse rugging guide.

What does denier mean on a horse rug?

It describes the thickness of the yarn in the outer fabric. Manufacturers use it to describe how tough a shell is, but it isn't a warmth rating.

Are cotton summer rugs good in hot weather?

Not in direct sun. A Charles Sturt University pilot study found they raised rectal temperature and sweating (CSU study). Give shade instead.