Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Rug and Blanketing Welfare Evidence

Blanketing horses is common but often unnecessary and may impair natural thermoregulation, requiring evidence-based decisions.

Key Facts

Horses have a thermoneutral zone of approximately -15 to 25 degrees Celsius
The coat erects and flattens to trap or release heat with remarkable efficiency
Clipped horses, elderly horses, and thin horses may genuinely need rug support
Over-rugging causes sweating, heat stress, and coat damage
Studies show over-rugging is far more common than under-rugging in managed horses

Welfare Considerations

Over-rugging is a welfare problem often overlooked because it stems from care rather than neglect. Horses sweating under unnecessary rugs cannot thermoregulate effectively. Evidence-based rugging decisions respect equine biology and improve welfare.

What You Can Do

Learn to assess whether your horse actually needs a rug based on temperature and condition
Remove rugs regularly to check for sweating and assess coat and body condition
Use the thinnest rug appropriate for the conditions rather than defaulting to heavy rugs