An under rug is a perfect option to offer your horse or pony a little extra warmth. It provides an insulating layer under the stable rug or turnout rug.

What is an under rug?

An under rug provides an insulating layer under your stable rug or turnout rug. However, under rugs are not suitable to be used as the only blanket on your horse or pony. Combining rugs ensures that you create sufficient warmth for your horse but also that you can easily make a difference between stable and pasture. In the stable, for example, you can use a stable rug of 160 g in combination with a 100 g under rug. If your horse goes out to pasture, you can leave the 100 g under rug on and combine it with a turnout rug with a 300 g filling.

Kentucky Horsewear has Skin Friendly under rugs for clipped horses or horses with sensitive skin. These under rugs have an artificial rabbit fur lining that prevents chafing.

When do I use an under rug on my horse?

An under rug is a good extra supplement to a stable or turnout rug.

If you notice that your horse is still too cold despite already wearing a rug, that’s the time to use an under rug. Therefore, an under rug is an outstanding investment for fluctuating weather conditions. You can remove an under rug quickly from underneath your stable rug or turnout rug if it gets too warm. Kentucky Horsewear has under rugs with various fillings so your horse doesn’t have to be afraid of the cold.

Which under rug should I use at which temperature?

Is the cold weather approaching, causing your horse to need some extra warmth? You can use a 100 g or 150 g under rug in combination with a stable rug or rain blanket as soon as the temperature falls under 5°C.

You can use a 200 g or 300 g under rug in combination with a stable rug or rain blanket as soon as the temperature hits or drops below freezing. In addition, an under rug of 200 g or 300 g is a good choice for clipped horses. They no longer have a natural mechanism to retain heat, so an under rug is certainly welcome to brave the cold winter days.

How do you measure a rug for your horse?

A well-fitting rug is essential. It is best to measure your horse or pony to find out which rug size they need. To measure, take a measuring tape and start in the middle of the chest/breastbone and then measure a straight line to the back of the horse. Stop measuring when you get to the rump.

Then use the number of centimetres to check our size guide for which rug size your horse needs. You will find our size guide on every product page.

A rug that is too small or too big will hinder your horse. A rug that is too small will inhibit your horse’s movements and chafe. But a rug that is too big can move over the body so there are often friction spots created on the horse’s shoulders.

Do you want to know more about properly measuring your horse for a horse rug? Watch our video.