Using a cooler rug correctly: when, how long and which one?

As soon as it gets cooler outside, the same question comes up after every riding lesson: how do I get my sweaty horse dry without it getting cold? A cooler rug is the classic tool for this. For it to really help, the material, the right timing and above all the length of use are crucial. Here you will find the most important answers.

What is a cooler rug actually for?

A cooler rug wicks moisture from the coat to the outside and prevents the skin underneath from getting chilled. Wet hair is a poor insulator and wind or draughts then draw warmth from the body very quickly. To prevent a cold, the Equine Hospital of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna therefore advises walking the horse dry after riding, using a cooler rug and changing or removing wet rugs.

Small droplets of water on the outside of the rug are actually a good sign. They show that the moisture is moving away from the horse to the outside, as the rug manufacturer Kentucky Horsewear explains.

At what point does a horse need a cooler rug and when do I put it on?

Ideally you put the cooler rug on straight after riding, preferably already during the last walking laps. It is particularly useful at temperatures around freezing and in windy conditions, when a sweaty horse would quickly get chilled without a rug. According to Cavallo, horses dry better under a rug in these conditions.

The rug can also be useful before riding. Simply leave it on at walk during the warm-up phase, this allows the muscles to warm up more quickly. For clipped horses the cooler rug is particularly important in winter, because they lack the natural protection of the winter coat on the clipped areas. Clipped sport horses basically need a rug in winter so that they do not become hypothermic.

Is a cooler rug also suitable for transport and competitions?

Yes, many cooler rugs can also be used at a competition venue or in the horse trailer. Kentucky Horsewear explicitly describes its fleece cooler rug as a show rug as well, and models with mesh components are designed for transport because they allow air to circulate. Between classes the rug keeps the horse warm without it starting to sweat underneath. In the trailer make sure that the rug fits well and cannot slip.

How long does the cooler rug stay on the horse?

The cooler rug stays on the horse until the coat underneath feels dry, then it is removed. As a rule the rug will feel noticeably damp on the outside at this point because it has transported the moisture to the outside. How long this takes depends very much on the coat. A horse with a dense winter coat needs significantly longer than a clipped one. Cavallo reports that a long-haired Icelandic horse takes around two hours to become reasonably dry under an ordinary cooler rug.

Can the cooler rug stay on overnight?

No, a cooler rug is not a replacement for a stable rug overnight. Once it has done its job it is damp itself. If it is left on for too long, the moisture can move back into the hair. A specialist in an instructional video by the equestrian retailer Loesdau gives one to one and a half hours as a guideline for when you should change the rug. It is also important never to put a horse into its stable wet.

What do I do if the rug is soaked through?

If the rug is saturated and the horse is still damp, change it for a dry one. A tried and tested practical trick is to stuff a layer of straw under the rug. The air cushion insulates and allows sweat to evaporate more effectively.

Is it a problem if a horse sweats under the rug?

If a horse sweats under a turnout, stable or winter rug, the rug is too warm and you should change that promptly. A one-off bout of light sweating is not an emergency, but in the long term it harms the horse. It is different with a cooler rug after riding. There, moisture is desired because the rug is supposed to conduct sweat from the coat to the outside.

The main problem is the dampness that remains under a dense rug. Damp hair is a poor insulator. If temperatures drop in the evening or at night, the horse can easily become cold under the wet rug. If the moisture persists, it promotes skin irritation and fungal infections because the skin’s natural moisture exchange is disturbed. Kentucky Horsewear also points out that a rug which is too warm can cause rubs.

If you notice that your horse has been sweating, remove the rug and let the coat dry, in cold weather preferably under a cooler rug. Afterwards choose a lighter rug or do without one altogether. Check with your flat hand behind the withers whether it stays warm and dry underneath. If your horse shows skin changes or starts coughing, consult your vet.

How long should I walk my horse dry after riding?

Plan at least 10 to 20 minutes of walk after training, until the breathing has calmed down again. The cooler rug can already be on during this time. Do not stop abruptly and do not douse a hot horse with cold water in winter. Once dry, you can loosen clumped hair with a curry comb and body brush.

For the time before training, Vetmeduni Vienna recommends at least 20 minutes of walk in winter before moving on to faster gaits. An exercise sheet keeps the muscles warm during this time.

Fleece, wool or cotton: which material dries best?

Fleece is the most widely used material because it does not soak up water, is very breathable and remains light. It usually consists of polyester. Kentucky Horsewear describes fleece as warmer, lighter and softer than wool. There are also cooler rugs made of cotton jersey, acrylic or microfibre towelling. According to Cavallo, synthetic sheepskin is less suitable because it absorbs too much moisture.

• Fleece: light, quick-drying, easy-care, the classic for everyday use.
• Wool: naturally warming and breathable, usually heavier.
• Technical materials and mesh: channel moisture away in a targeted way and are also suitable for transport and competitions.

Some manufacturers incorporate ceramic fibres in the lining, which according to the providers work with body heat. Such rugs are a matter of personal preference. For health questions, for example about muscle tension, your vet is the right person to talk to.

When is a cooler rug with neck cover useful?

A cooler rug with neck cover is especially useful for clipped horses and for horses that sweat heavily on the neck. The neck cover covers the neck as well, so that it too can dry after riding without getting chilled. With a rug without neck cover, on the other hand, the damp neck is exposed to wind and cold air.

A clipped horse has no protection from the winter coat on the bare areas. If the neck is clipped, the neck cover keeps this area warm while the horse cools down in walk or stands in the stable aisle. Kentucky Horsewear offers an additional neck cover for its cooler rugs if the horse needs more protection or if the neck should dry quickly. The model with a permanently attached neck cover is described by the manufacturer as a rug for clipped and unclipped horses.

Neck covers that can be attached and removed separately are practical. This way you can use the same rug without it on milder days and with it on cold, windy days. Here too, once the coat on the neck feels dry, the neck cover comes off again together with the rug.

What size cooler rug does my horse need?

Measure the back length from the withers to the top of the tail. This value in centimetres roughly corresponds to the rug size. Some guides recommend adding around 10 cm. Since the manufacturers’ sizing systems differ, it is worth checking the individual size chart. The rug should cover the shoulders and quarters well without putting pressure on the withers.

How do I wash a fleece cooler rug?

Wash fleece rugs at 30 to 40 °C with a mild detergent and never with fabric conditioner, then line dry them. A tumble dryer is not suitable for most models. Brush off hairs beforehand or use a laundry bag. Between washes it is often enough to hang the rug up to dry after each use and brush out dried sweat. The care instructions on the label are decisive.

In the Ahrens Reitsport online shop you will find cooler rugs in various materials as well as exercise sheets and stable rugs for afterwards. If you are unsure which size your horse needs, we will be happy to advise you in our shop in Tangstedt.