Choosing the perfect paddock rug for your horse can be a bit daunting with so many options, colours, materials and designs to choose from, which is why we have put together a simple guide to help make the rug buying process as simple as possible.

DESIGN

Ok, it is pretty safe to say that there is a mind-boggling array of styles, colours, materials and fills available in New Zealand, which is why it is important to take into consideration the below when choosing the perfect rug.

Of course, the most important aspect of the rug is to keep your horse warm and dry during the cooler months in New Zealand, however you also need to make sure that the rug fits your horse correctly and is easy for you to put on and take off. Interestingly enough, some brands fit certain types of horse conformations better than others, and you will always get those that are adamant that one type of brand is better then any other, which is why you should try a few different makes before making your decision.

The outside of the paddock rug is usually made from Teflon or nylon and these are referred to as ‘synthetic rugs’, and are usually very strong, you can also choose rugs that offer breathable and wicking linings.

The rugs thickness is determined by the denier and this normally ranges from 600 to 1600.

Modern rugs are much lighter then the traditional canvas style rugs and most people agree that synthetic rugs are a lot more comfortable for horses.

When it comes to the buckles and clips on the cover, make sure you test these in the shop to ensure they aren’t going to be too stiff or awkward to do up, etc.

FIT

The fit of the rug is also very important as a poorly fitting rug can cause sores and bald patches to your horse. Thankfully most modern rugs now allow for greater space and movement in the shoulder with darts and can also have extra panels at the front.

To find out what size rug your horse will need, you should measure from the centre of your horses chest to the furthest point of the rump.

WEIGHTS

When it comes to feeling the cold or heat, like humans, every horse is different and their tolerance to weather conditions depends on a number of factors such as location, breed, type and age. Thankfully paddock rugs come in a huge range of weights to suit the time of the year and your horse.

Lightweight rugs normally have filling up to 100g and are ideal for slightly milder days in Autumn and Spring.

Rugs that have 200-280g filling are referred to as middle-weight rugs and are perfect for late Autumn and early Spring when the weather may be wet and windy, however not too cold.

Heavyweight rugs provide the most warmth for clipped horses and those horses outside in the middle of winter, especially in the South Island! These rugs normally have a filling from 300-450g.