Whether you are the happy owner of your first horse, or if you have a stable full, you may find this handy guide to horse rugs useful. What has really changed in recent years is that you can buy a wide assortment of top quality horse rugs online. The easy availability of rugs from all around the world makes picking and choosing what you need more interesting. You have many more alternatives now, so here are some points to consider.

Depending upon your climate and horse, you will need several different rugs in varied weights. You should also keep in mind that whatever the weight, a rug is designed to tear away from the horse in the event it becomes tangled or torn. This is for the safety of the horse, and has nothing to do with the quality of the rug. With that being said, you must decide which rugs you need.

In the wintertime, you should look for a heavyweight turnout rug. You will want to protect a clipped horse from cold and wet. Finding a rug made of fabric that allows heat to escape a bit is actually better for a horse. If the rug is too finely woven, many horses will actually sweat under the rug, leaving the horse feeling damp and cold.

In the springtime, you should look for a lightweight rug. Most horses will still need to have some kind of cover, because it is often windy and still wet with sporadic showers. Some owners decide to use a lightweight rug with an extra fleece lining added to protect a hardy horse with a shaggy coat through the winter. Though a horse may be hardier, it will still need some extra warmth from a good fleece liner. It will be the same in the autumn when the weather starts to be changing frequently.

You must have a stable rug for the times when your horse is stabled. Made of warm fleece, any horse must be kept warm in the stable when it is standing still. This is most important, because horses cannot exercise to keep themselves warm when they are inside.

If you are looking for one good, all weather rug, then you might try a New Zealand rug. These are made of canvas that can be waxed to make it waterproof. These are very traditional because they are the oldest version still available. And they are one of the most popular rugs.

Measuring your horse for the proper size rug may be accomplished by using online charts. The charts will often give you measurements in Hands, British, and Continental systems. You should generally plan to measure the horse from the centre of the chest to end of horse using a line parallel to the top of the tail. When in doubt, contact the online company and ask.

There are rugs designed to fill most every need. If you wish to protect your horse from biting flies, you should buy a fly sheet. This is essentially a lighter weight rug that keeps the flies off. Some companies sell rugs with magnets to help improve circulation and muscle flexibility. There is a form of rug that wicks away excess moisture from overly warm horses. Keeping any horse comfortable is top priority with any of these rugs.

Top quality manufacturers are featured online with a wide variety of horse rugs. Comparing them online will give you a better idea of what is available, what to expect in terms of pricing, and which rugs you need. The better websites also include links to many other horse fancier sites. Something is available to fill every need and suit each price range. Do take a look and see what is just right for you.

Locate the riding equipment you need by searching online. With several choices of horse rugs and so much more that you can find. Go online now and find more.