A horse rug is a blanket or other covering used to keep the horse warm or dry. It is typically fastened around the belly of the horse for maximum protection. Horse rugs have many functions, including keeping the animal cool in the summer.There is a wide variety of horse rugs to choose from. Depending on the rug, it may cover the animal’s full body, including the neck, or it may only cover the animal’s primary flank. During the night, it can be difficult for owners to locate or recognize their horses, but brightly colored or luminous rugs can help.
The advantages of investing in a horse rug are not limited to those already discussed. Below, we’ll take a look at five of them:
1. Helps Keep The Horse Clean And Free Of Debris
A horse rug can prevent damage to the coat and keep the horse looking nice. These creatures like rough play that frequently results in a coating of dirt or mud. A great deal of grime would inevitably become embedded in their fur. A horse rug can help you prevent that situation.
2. Facilitates Keeping The Coat Short
Nature has its own defense mechanisms. For example, when winter approaches, a horse’s coat grows longer. Why do they already know this? The duration of the day would affect how quickly their coat grows. The shorter days leading up to winter cause the horse to shed its coat more quickly. This will allow them to keep their bodies warm during the cold winter months. Check out, turnout rugs
A horse rug is useful if you want to keep your horse’s coat short. A lightweight horse rug can be used to prevent the horse’s coat from growing in during the cooler months. Horses are kept under lights at night by certain owners so that their animals will think the days are longer than they actually are. The coat will develop much more slowly with this method.
3. Pest Control
Summertime is difficult due to the prevalence of flies and midges. Insects thrive in warmer temperatures, causing discomfort for horses with bites that cause inflammation and swelling. Seasons of rain or chill might also bring on skin conditions for your horse. A horse rug is an excellent choice for safeguarding your horse. Check out, Fly rug for horses
As was previously said, numerous types of horse rugs exist; the following are the most effective for repelling insects.
If you’re looking for total protection for your horse from insects, go no further than a cotton horse rug.
- Mesh Horse Rug – This rug allows more air to circulate around the horse while still protecting him from annoying insects. If itching is a problem, invest in a rug that can take frequent scratching. A sturdy mesh rug is usually the ideal middle ground for most horses.
- Many fly repellent horse rugs are made from lightweight materials that won’t restrict the horse’s movement but will yet keep the flies at bay.
4. Cut Down on Feeding
Horses require more food in the winter because they have to work harder to generate the heat they need to keep warm. Keeping your horse warm with a rug might reduce the amount of hay you need to buy. During the colder months, investing in a heavyweight horse rug helps keep the horse warm and reduce the amount of feed needed.
5. Safeguarding Against Dangerous Conditions
Investing in a selection of horse rugs is a good idea for basic protection. You need a rug for when the temperature rises, and another for when it drops and starts to rain. Heavyweight horse rugs are recommended during the winter months. Look for rugs that include waterproof sheets if you don’t want your horse getting wet when it rains. Check out, weatherbeeta stable rugs.
Get a sheet with UV protection for the warmer months. These rugs are manufactured from lightweight, breathable cotton that will keep your horse comfortable even in the heat of the day. Their coat is also shielded from the sun’s UV rays, preventing premature aging.
As summer wears on, darker-coated horses are more at risk of having their coats bleach. The relentless sun’s heat is another problem, especially in enclosures where there is little to no shelter. A cotton sheet or a mesh rug, both of which are lightweight and airy, are suitable. Both can keep the horse shaded and comfortable.
Conclusion
A wide selection of horse rugs means you can find the perfect one for your horse’s needs. Investing in a range of horse rugs, one for each season and weather condition, is a surefire way to keep your horse safe and healthy all year long. In addition to buying winter and summer horse rugs, you should also invest in bug-proof and water-resistant options.
