How to choose the right outdoor cover
Finding the right rug for your horse can be tricky, but here are some simple guidelines to make it much easier. Here are the most important things to consider:
1. Your horse's conformation - choose the right collection
All horses look different, so there are several different fits to choose from:
-
XL: For heavier horses that need extra room at the shoulder and neck, usually works on cold-blooded and larger built horses. The XL collection provides a 20% deeper cut, extra room in the shoulder and 10% longer body length.
-
Pony: Adapted fit for ponies, 10% shorter at the sides and less depth in the neck.
-
Petite: For smaller Shetland ponies and miniature horses.
-
Big Horse: Fits most "normal built" horses.
Mio- Smaller in size.
Rhino- Normal conformation but slightly narrower shoulder and neck cut.
Amigo- Normal conformation, tends a little towards the larger side.
Rambo- Larger in size, but with an ergonomic fit. May need to go down a size if you need help to know, you can check out our size guide here!
The right collection will make the duvet fit better and avoid chafing.
2. front buttoning - three different solutions
The front buttoning affects both comfort and fit, which do you prefer?
-
Classic front: Simple and traditional buttoning with two t-buckles. Usually works on most horses.
-
V-front: Reduces pressure over the shoulder and gives more freedom of movement, will be deeper than a classic front buttoning. Works well on horses with a wide shoulder and low neck. Buttoned with two carabiners in a ring and a Velcro. Stronger snap than the classic one.
-
Disc-front/Fieldsafe: Light and flexible, without hard pressure points. Snaps higher than a classic front snap, works well on horses that are thinner in the withers and have a high neck. Fastened with a disc front plate and Velcro buckles.
3. Choose the right filling (gram count)
Quilts are given in grams of filling. The more grams, the warmer and thicker the quilt:
-
0 g (rain cover): Protects against wind and rain.
-
50-100 g: Lightly lined for milder weather.
-
150-250 g: Just right for fall and winter days.
-
300g+: For colder days, especially for clipped or frozen horses.
Tip: Many blankets are compatible with the Horseware® Liner system - easily change the lining according to the weather for both the stable and the paddock.
4. materials, waterproofing and durability
The durability and waterproofness of the outer fabric is measured in denier (D):
- 600D: Lighter blankets, good for calmer horses walking alone.
- 900D: A lightweight rug with higher durability than 600D and works for horses that are more likely to romp in the pasture.
- 1200D+: Extra hard-wearing and waterproof - ideal for horses that romp in the paddock or go out for longer periods
- 1680D: The strongest rugs in the Horseware range, 10 year guarantee on Rambo@ rugs for waterproofing.
NOTE! It is important to keep in mind that the denier number alone does not stand for the quality. Polyester (Amigo), Ballistic Nylon (Rambo) and Polypropolene (Rhino) are different fabrics with varying durability. Therefore, for example, a 1000D Rambo duvet has higher durability and water resistance than a 1200D Amigo Bravo.
Polyester-A synthetic material that resists wear and tear with good waterproofing and retains its shape well. Makes the product light but strong and does not absorb moisture as easily as natural fibers.
Polypropolene- A durable, lightweight, moisture-repellent plastic fiber that is often used in horse blankets and liners because it wicks moisture well and stays warm even when wet. Very good water resistance.
Ballistic Nylon- An extremely durable nylon material originally developed for military use. It is characterized by:
Dense weave that resists heavy wear, high resistance to abrasion and hard use. Often used in premium horse rugs, shelters and bags where durability is essential. Wicks away moisture well and has 100% waterproofness.
NEW!
Ripstop is a unique construction of fabric where thicker threads are integrated into the weave in a classic grid pattern. This provides optimal resistance to large or small tears in the fabric while maintaining a low weight profile to facilitate the comfort of your horse. This technology increases the durability and water resistance of the rug, only available in the Amigo Ripstop 9 collection!
6. When and why should the horse wear a rug?
It depends on whether the horse is clipped, how much it goes outside, but mainly how cold/warm the individual is and how it reacts to cold.
When:
- Summer insects can be very annoying. Fly and eczema blankets help the horse avoid itching, irritation and stress.
- Older horses or those with compromised immune systems may have more difficulty regulating body temperature.
- Rain or outdoor blankets keep the horse dry. A wet and windy combination makes the horse cool down much faster, even though it normally copes well with cold.
Why:
- When a horse is cold, its body contracts to conserve heat. This can lead to: tense back and hindquarters muscles, stiff tendons, ligaments and an increased risk of strains or muscle injuries when riding and training.
-Cold combined with stress or hard training can: strain the immune system, increase the risk of respiratory infections and delay recovery from exercise.
-A frozen horse expends a lot of energy trying to keep warm. This can lead to: Weight loss and can make it harder to build muscle.
- Cold muscles after exercise become easily stiff, sore and can make it more difficult for the horse to move freely and relax.
At Strömsbergsgård you will find a wide range of Horseware blankets - for all horses, weather and needs. Do you need help finding the right one? We are happy to guide you!
Phone: 08-630 08 30
Email address: info@stromsbergsgard.se