Winter Horse Care: Does my horse need a rug?
It's a winter dilemma: To rug or not to rug? I (Kath) only occasionally rugged my old girl Bea, and now I find myself contemplating the same for Dixie, her homebred daughter. Deciding whether to rug your horse in winter isn’t as straight-forward as it might seem. Some horses stay warm naturally, while others genuinely need extra protection.
This blog covers my own research on when to rug, when not to rug, and how to assess your horse day by day through the colder months.
How Horses Stay Warm Naturally in Winter
Before reaching for a rug, it helps to understand how horses regulate body heat. A healthy horse’s winter coat and metabolism do most of the work. “Over-rugging is a far more common welfare problem than under-rugging.” — Dr David Marlin is one of the equine world’s leading scientists, specialising in the subject of thermoregulation. - https://askanimalweb.com/about-david/
- Thick winter coat traps warm air for excellent insulation.
- Piloerection (hair fluffing) increases warmth.
- Increased calorie burn generates internal heat.
- Natural behaviours help conserve energy in cold or wind.
Many horses comfortably tolerate temperatures down to -10°C when healthy and unclipped.
When You Should Rug a Horse in Winter
Below are the most common situations in which a horse should be rugged during colder months.
1. Your Horse Is Clipped
Clipping removes the coat’s natural insulation. A clipped horse usually needs rugging based on:
- Level of clip
- Temperature
- Wind and rain exposure/access to shelter
- Workload
2. Your Horse Is Older, Underweight, or Unwell
Senior or underweight horses often struggle to maintain body heat and benefit from a rug.
3. Your Horse Has Temperature-Regulation Issues
Horses with metabolic or chronic conditions may need rugging even in mild winter weather.
4. The Weather Is Extreme
Heavy rain, sleet, or icy winds can strip body heat, even from hardy horses.
5. Your Horse Works Regularly
Rugging helps keep working horses dry, clean, and comfortable for exercise, but be careful not to over-rug your horse simply for convenience.
When You Should Not Rug Your Horse
1. Your Horse Has a Full Winter Coat
A natural coat is extremely effective in cold weather—better than many rugs.
2. Your Horse Is a Hardy Breed
Breeds like Welsh Cobs, Connemaras, Highlands, and Icelandics thrive in cold climates.
3. Your Horse Lives Out With Shelter
Horses that can choose shelter often regulate their comfort better than humans do.
4. Your Horse Overheats Easily
Over-rugging causes sweating, which leads to chills once moisture cools.
5. Rugging Causes Stress or Skin Issues
Some horses get rubs, itching, hives, or experience discomfort when rugged.
The Risks of Over-Rugging Horses
- Sweating under the rug
- Dehydration
- Heat stress
- Shoulder and wither rubs
- Flattened coat that reduces natural insulation
- Moisture build-up leading to skin infections
Tip: Horses prefer far colder temperatures than humans. If you feel cold, your horse often does not. Don’t assume your horse experiences the weather the same way you do.
How to Decide If Your Horse Needs a Rug Each Day
- Feel behind the elbow — warm is normal; hot means the rug is too heavy.
- Check if the coat is fluffed (warm) or flat (losing insulation).
- Assess the weather: cold, wet, windy?
- Is the horse clipped?
- Is the horse elderly, thin, or unwell?
- Is the horse sweating under the rug? (Remove or downgrade immediately.)
Adjust rugging day by day—not by fixed dates.
Winter Rugging FAQs
At what temperature should you rug a horse?
Healthy, unclipped horses tolerate freezing temperatures. Clipped or senior horses may need rugging around 5–10°C, depending on wind and rain.
Do unclipped horses need rugs?
Most do not, unless they are older, underweight, or in severe weather.
How do I know if my horse is cold?
Look for shivering, a tucked posture, or cool skin behind the elbow.
Is it safer to over-rug or under-rug?
It is always safer to under-rug. Over-rugging can cause sweating and chills.
What weight rug should I use?
- No clip: often no rug or a lightweight sheet
- Partial clip: 50g–200g, depending on the weather
- Full clip: medium or heavy rug (adjust daily)
Final Thoughts
Choosing whether to rug your horse in winter depends on their coat, health, age, and environment. Some horses thrive in warm rugs; others are healthiest left unrugged. Monitor your horse daily and adjust based on what you see—not the calendar.
I’ve now made a promise to myself only to rug Dixie for the right reasons – that is, if the weather is simultaneously cold, 24 hours or so of near-constant rain and wind, and she can’t shelter. There is nothing more pleasant when I see her out on the field looking like a natural horse, naked and yes - covered in mud most days!
(P.S. My favourite book on horses is ‘The Nature Of Horses’ by Stephen Budiansky – it explores what horses are really about and has really helped me to understand why they behave in certain ways and to find ways of enhancing my own horses’ lives. I reach for it on my bookshelf more often than any of the others.)