Why you should not under rug your horse

Just like putting on too many rugs, too few are bad for your horse too. Even though horses are better resistant to cold weather, under rugging has multiple downsides. Are you curious to learn more about under-rugging?

When a horse is cold, he will start shivering. This looks a bit like muscle spasms. Because of this, he will also need to use more energy to stay warm. In the longer term, a cold horse will start to lose weight. As he burns more food to keep him warm, being cold can cause severe weight loss. If you have a horse that constantly needs to be fed extra during winter, you might want to check out if you have the right rug for him.

Shivering is also very bad for the muscles as your horse is not relaxed at all. This can lead to winter stiffness and tense muscles, which is very uncomfortable for your horse. Which eventually can cause injuries, especially when you did not warm him up properly. If your horse is shivering, we advise you to put on a warmer rug immediately.

To stay warm, your horse could also start running around in the field. During riding, this can express itself in freshness. As your horse is trying to keep himself warm, he’s running to generate body heat. If your horse is fresh during riding, try warming up with an exercise rug. This keeps the muscles warm, and your horse will be more relaxed.

Suppose you want to put a warmer rug on your horse. Make sure to do it gradually and check your horse’s body temperature in between. You don’t want him to start sweating, which can make him feel chill. Not sure which rug to put on your horse? We’ve got a helpful guide that helps you find the right rug for your horse.