Horse Rugging Welfare: Over and Under Rugging

The common practice of rugging horses, when applied inappropriately, can cause overheating and welfare compromise more serious than cold exposure in most temperate climates.

Key Facts

Horses regulate body temperature effectively in temperatures down to approximately -15°C if healthy and well-fed
Over-rugging — applying heavy rugs in mild weather — causes sweating, skin conditions, and thermal stress
Clipped horses lose their natural insulation and require rugging to compensate in cold weather
Under-rugging in genuinely cold conditions causes energy expenditure that compromises body condition
A horse is too cold if their muscles are cold to touch over the hindquarters; too hot if sweating under a rug

Welfare Considerations

Over-rugging is a more common welfare problem than under-rugging in most of the UK's temperate climate. Horses under heavy rugs in mild autumn and winter conditions sweat, develop skin infections, and experience thermal discomfort that owners attribute to cold. The correct rugging decision requires assessment of temperature, wind, rain, and whether the horse is clipped — not simply the calendar date or outdoor temperature. Under-rugged clipped horses in genuinely cold conditions lose body condition as they divert energy to thermoregulation. A pragmatic rugging guide based on temperature, clipping status, and body condition score provides better welfare outcomes than either systematic heavy rugging or year-round turnout without protection.

What You Can Do

Use a temperature-based rugging guide rather than the calendar to determine rug weight
Check regularly under rugs for sweating, which indicates the horse is too warm
Ensure clipped horses receive appropriate rug weight for ambient temperature and conditions
Remove rugs on warm days and adjust rug weight as conditions change through the day