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Welcome to our big horse rug test 2021. Here we present all the horse rugs we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best horse blanket for you. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should pay attention to if you want to buy a horse blanket.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 Summary
- 3 The Best Horse Blanket: Our Picks
- 4 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a horse blanket
- 5 Decision: What types of horse rugs are there and which one is right for you?
- 5.1 What are the advantages and disadvantages of a sweat rug?
- 5.2 What are the characteristics of the outdoor rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.3 What is a fly blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.4 What is a winter blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.5 What are the characteristics of the stable blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.6 What are the characteristics of a rain rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.7 What is a rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 5.8 What is a riding rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
- 6 Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate horse rugs
Summary
- It makes sense to buy a horse blanket if the horse is shorn in winter or if it only needs to be protected from the rain.
- Horse blankets are available in many variations and models. Lined and unlined rain rugs and winter rugs are available, each with different weight fillings.
- You will have to pay between 60 and 300 Euros for a horse blanket, depending on the model and quality of the blanket.
The Best Horse Blanket: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a horse blanket
When does a horse blanket make sense?
Otherwise it takes a long time until they are dry again after riding. Colds can be the result.
But even for unshorn horses, we recommend using a light rain blanket in very cold temperatures or heavy rain. This way, nothing can happen to your horse and you can jump into your riding boots regularly.
What are the different types of horse rugs?
You can use unlined rain rugs all year round when it rains. They are very light and waterproof, but do not warm the horse. If the temperature drops below 12 degrees, we recommend such a transitional rug.
Especially for this time in spring or autumn, there are lightly lined rain rugs with 30-150 grams of filling. From an outside temperature of below 0 degrees, it makes sense to use a winter blanket. These have a filling of 200 to 450 grams and protect your horse from wind, snow and cold.
Stable rugs are not waterproof and therefore not suitable for use in the paddock. They are available with a filling of 100-450 grams.
| Outside temperature | thickness of horse blanket |
|---|---|
| above 10°C | unlined blanket |
| 6°C - 10°C | 200-250 g |
| below 5°C | 300-400 g |
What sizes are available?
The size given in cm stands for the back length of your four-legged friend. Normally 125 cm is chosen for ponies and 145 cm for warmbloods.
It is better to use a blanket that is a little too long than one that is too short!
How many deniers should the blanket have?
The higher this number, the thicker and more tear-resistant the material. For transitional blankets we recommend 600 denier, for winter blankets 1000-1600 denier.
The colder the season, the more denier your horse blanket should have. The horse will not only be optimally protected from the cold, but also from the various weather conditions.
How much does a rug cost?
They come in many different colours and designs and usually have a very good price-performance ratio. On average, you can get a high-quality blanket for 90 euros or more.
These often last for many years and have a good fit. Some of the more expensive models are made of particularly tear-resistant material. They offer your horse optimal freedom of movement and are available from 150 Euros.
| Type of horse blanket | Price |
|---|---|
| Sweat blanket | 20-120 € |
| Outdoor blanket | 50-100 € |
| Fly blanket | 30-80 € |
| Winter blanket | 60-250 € |
| Stable blanket | 40-80 € |
| Rain blanket | 35-80 € |
| Kidding blanket | 20-100 € |
| Riding blanket | 25-60 € |
Decision: What types of horse rugs are there and which one is right for you?
Basically, you can distinguish between eight different types of horse rugs:
- Sweat rug
- Outdoor blanket
- Flying rug
- Winter blanket
- Stable rug
- Rain rug
- Kidney rug
- Riding rug
Due to the different modes of action and uses, a certain horse blanket is best suited for you. Since not every horse blanket is the same, there are different advantages and disadvantages.
In the following section, we would like to describe the individual types in more detail and explain the differences. In order to make your decision easier, the advantages and disadvantages of the individual horse rugs are clearly compared.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a sweat rug?
The sweat rug should be used to sweat off the horse after work. Especially in the cold season, it is important to get the horse's coat dry again quickly.
For horses that are often in the paddock, the use of this horse blanket is often problematic. But there is a simple solution: rainproof sweat rugs.
What are the characteristics of the outdoor rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The outdoor rug is usually used when the horse is taken to the paddock, pasture or outside. This horse blanket is intended to protect the horse from rain, snow, wind and other weather conditions.
According to this, outdoor rugs have a waterproof surface and score high on durability. They are also relatively light and sometimes have a sweat-off function.
What is a fly blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
This horse blanket is used to protect horses from annoying insects and mosquitoes. With this blanket, horses can graze and stand around in peace.
In addition, the rider does not have to buy costly fly repellent sprays and call in a vet because the horse may have had an allergic reaction to the spray.
What is a winter blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
As the name suggests, the winter rug is used in winter. A high-quality winter rug offers very good protection against wind and weather up to -25 degrees.
Furthermore, it protects the horse from diseases and eczema. Horses are not really squeamish about handling their blanket and therefore it should also be made of robust material.
What are the characteristics of the stable blanket and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The stable blanket is usually used for horses with shorn coats. As they are often kept in stalls, this blanket is mainly used for heat protection.
Furthermore, these horse blankets hardly absorb any water, which is of course good because the horse stays nice and dry and does not start to freeze.
These blankets are available in different fabric thicknesses. Nevertheless, these horse blankets are only intended for the stable.
What are the characteristics of a rain rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Since some horse owners cannot come to the stable every day, this horse blanket is used as an all-round blanket.
The rain rug can be used as a stable rug but also as a pasture rug.
Most rain rugs are either water repellent or waterproof and have high breathability. However, it is important to remember that most rain rugs are not lined.
What is a rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The croup, the lumbar spine and the sensitive kidney area of the horse are covered by the kidney rug. Furthermore, the back muscles are kept warm and dry with the help of the kidney rug.
A riding rug also stimulates blood circulation, which of course has a positive effect on the horse's performance, well-being and health.
What is a riding rug and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Riding rugs are mainly used for shorn horses in winter for warm and dry riding.
This horse blanket is usually made of fleece and is used for warmth but also for sweating off. There are also waterproof riding rugs.
Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate horse rugs
In the following we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate horse blankets. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a certain product is suitable for you or not. In summary, these are:
- Material and workmanship
- Fit
- Design
In the following paragraphs you can read about the individual purchase criteria and how you can classify them.
Material and workmanship
As the blanket is intended to be a faithful companion for your horse in every situation for a long time, the material and workmanship are of particular importance. Polyester is usually used as the outer material. On the inside you can choose between nylon, polycotton or polyester.
All of these must be air-permeable, breathable and very tear-resistant.
Horses have a good insulation layer through their fur and fat layer, and they can also regulate their body temperature through ateries and sweat glands.
We can only recommend that you do not skimp on quality. Blankets have to withstand a lot of wear and tear, and they also have to be washed again and again. If you don't want to go in search of a new blanket every autumn, go for a high-quality blanket!
The workmanship also plays a major role in ensuring a long life. If possible, check that the seams are clean and firmly sewn. Touch the material! Does it make a stable, but at the same time comfortable impression on you?
Fit
Your horse cannot take the blanket off by itself if it does not fit properly. Therefore, an optimal fit is absolutely necessary. A blanket that is too large can cause injury as your horse's legs can get caught in it. If the blanket is too small, it can cause painful pressure points.
In addition, a blanket should be cut in such a way that it still fits well even after a violent bucking or rolling. The safest way to secure the blanket is with leg cords on the hind legs, in addition to the belly straps. The leg cords prevent the blanket from slipping.
However, caution is advised here! Make sure that they are never too long. It is also important that there are no oppressive seams in the sensitive back area.
If you want to buy an optimal horse blanket, make sure that you take into account the measurements of the blanket and of course the body measurements of the horse. This is the only way to ensure that the blanket is comfortable to wear.
Design
Blankets are available in many different designs and variations. With and without chest closure and neck piece or as a highneck version. We recommend that you buy a blanket with a chest closure. This can be opened easily and you do not have to pull it over the horse's head.
For complete protection of the horse, there are separate neck pieces. If you are thinking of using one, look out for snap hooks in the shoulder area when buying.
As a pleasant alternative, there are transitional and winter rugs with a special highneck. This is a half-length neck piece that is an integral part of the blanket.
Image source: pixabay.de / ZIPNON
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