Horse rugging practices are often driven by owner habits rather than evidence, and inappropriate rugging can compromise natural thermoregulation and welfare.
Over-rugging is a widespread welfare problem in UK and European horse management, driven by anthropomorphic projection of human cold sensitivity onto animals with very different thermoregulation. Signs of over-rugging include sweating under the rug, searching for shade in mild weather, and skin conditions from moisture accumulation. Under-rugging clipped horses, elderly horses with poor body condition, or horses in severe cold without shelter access represents the opposite welfare risk. Evidence-based rugging decisions should consider: coat length (clipped vs natural), body condition score, age, health status, and ambient temperature, not simply owner comfort with the temperature. Welfare-focused guidance from British Horse Society and University of Edinburgh research supports reassessing default rugging habits.