Horses

Horse Rug Use and Welfare Considerations

The use of rugs on horses is often welfare-appropriate but can also cause harm through overheating, pressure sores and restriction of natural movement. Evidence informs rug decisions.

Key Facts

Healthy native breed horses rarely need rugging except in extreme cold or when clipped
Horses lose more heat through sweating than radiation making rugs counterproductive at mild temperatures
Inappropriate rugging causes overheating, sweating, skin conditions and interference with natural coat management
Pressure sores from ill-fitting rugs cause pain particularly over the withers and shoulders
Clipped horses have legitimate needs for rugging matched to their workload and shelter availability

Welfare Considerations

Over-rugging is arguably more common than under-rugging in companion horses and causes genuine welfare problems including hyperthermia, inability to thermoregulate and restriction of normal coat-raising behaviors. Evidence suggests horses manage cold efficiently through their coat and metabolic heat production. Rug decisions should be based on the individual horse, clip level, shelter availability and weather rather than owner perception of cold.

What You Can Do

Assess whether rugging is genuinely needed based on clip level, shelter and weather rather than habit
Check horses under rugs regularly for signs of sweating or overheating indicating excess insulation
Ensure rug fit is checked by a qualified saddler to prevent pressure sores at withers and shoulders
Remove rugs on mild dry days to allow horses to groom, roll and manage their coats naturally
Use a turnout rug only when weather genuinely demands protection from wind and rain combination