Climate changes affect not only humans but also animals. Though animals have body temperature regulating capacity to a certain level when the temperature is as its extremity either cool or hot, animals suffer. Horse rugs protect horses from harsh weather conditions so that their health can be maintained, and they would be in the best conditions to perform a race.
Horse rugs are protective covers that are put on the horses when the outside temperature changes. They don’t allow heat and cold to cross through them, and the inner body temperature of the horse remains intact. As a result, it enjoys comfort irrespective of the outer temperature.
However, so many horse rugs are made to solve different purposes rather than only providing comfortable temperatures to horses. Some of these rugs are talked about in this article. Read further to know about them in detail.
1. Sun protection rugs
These rugs are mainly summer horse rugs. They have the ultimate capability of preventing high sun heat and blocking them from going across the rugs. As a result, the inside temperature of the rugs remains cooler than the outside, and horses can comfortably roam around under the sun.
These horse rugs also prevent harmful UV rays that can affect horses, and sometimes long exposure to the sun makes the horse’s outermost layer dull. These rugs are best for solving the issue.
Though sun protection rugs are mainly used in summer, you can also use them in winter when the horses are outside. The material is lightweight cotton that has high breathability.
2. The coolers
Coolers are used after your horse has done intense exercise or has just come from a run. These horse rugs have temperature regulating property that prevents rapid falling or temperature. After these intense activities, the body temperature of horses increases rapidly. However, they start to drop after some time, but if the cooling process is quick, it can affect the animal’s health.
3. Mesh rugs
Another name for mesh rugs is fly sheets. It is because these rugs are made to protect horses from flies and other insects. At specific times of the year, the disturbance of some harmful insects increases, and they can attack the horses if they are not protected.
The material is coarser polyester and light in weight. So, the horse gets comfort as well as better protection.
4. Exercise rugs
During exercise, these horse rugs are used to keep the horse’s body warm for better movement, and they keep their body dry because the horse gets sweat during the time, which can affect their health.
5. Fleece rugs
Fleece rugs are best for winter. They have temperature-generating capacity. In extremely low temperatures, horses get health issues. Also, the cold climate reduces their performance efficiency. Some horses become inactive in places where the winter is extremely cool. Covering these rugs will maintain the warmer body temperature of horses, and they would be active and comfortable.
6. Turnout rugs
Turnout horse rugs are cotton-made and light in weight, so they are comfortable and can be used throughout the years. These rugs cover the horses in harsh weather such as heavy rain, wind, snowfall, storm, snow etc. As a result, the horses remain clean and can easily roam outside.
7. Sweet itch rugs
Sweet itch is a skin disease commonly seen in horses resulting from fly or midge bites. So, the name coming from the disease becomes sweet itch rugs, specifically built to protect against such insect attacks.
8. Stable rugs
As the name suggests, these are used indoors or in stables. They are comfortable and come in a whole lot of variety in thickness so that you can use any as per the warmth your horse wants. You can put these rugs on horses in winter when they are sleeping. A lightweight variety of these rugs can also be used throughout the year for some warmth.
Conclusion!
These are all the main kinds of horse rugs that you must have ideas about. So, if you are searching for the perfect horse rug for your horses, you can choose any according to your area's climate and the need of the horses.
