Which Rug Should I Choose For My Horse in Autumn/Winter?

4 min read

Rugging is a super personal subject, it’s not a one size fits all situation but to help you choose which rug is best for your horse in certain weather we’ve put together a broad overview of the rugs we like to use on our horses ourselves. 

The weather in autumn is often unpredictable and can vary significantly depending on where you’re located in Australia. For northern warmer climates, you may just need a rug at night. One of our top picks is the canvas rug. Made from a blend of natural fibres, canvas rugs are more breathable and ideal in warmer climates. The WeatherBeeta Unlined Canvas rugs are made from strong 18oz ripstop which are waterproof and contain a 60% cotton blend canvas outer for natural breathability. The Lined Canvas rugs add a little more warmth and comfort for your horse with a wool lining.

If canvas rugs aren’t for you that’s ok! Our range of synthetic turnout rugs are suitable for autumn weather as well. For our Southern states these are the rug of choice as they’re the strongest option and provide superior protection from the cooler weather. Our picks for autumn are the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Plus Dynamic II Standard Neck Medium/Lite, WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Plus Standard Neck Lite Plus or the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free II Detach-A-Neck Lite. The reason we pick these rugs is because they’re all extremely versatile and can be used in multiple types of weather.

The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Plus Dynamic II Standard Neck Medium/lite has 100g polyfill which is ideal for chilly autumn nights and you can even attach a neck rug for more protection and a liner for warmth. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential Plus Standard Neck Lite Plus features a customisable front with the option of a quick clip front closure or traditional buckle closure, plus D-rings to attach a neck rug. If you want to add warmth to the one rug as the temperature drops, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free II Detach-A-Neck Lite comes with 0g polyfill perfect for mild days and is also compatible with the WeatherBeeta liner system.

Speaking of liners, these are a great option to add or remove layers to keep your horse comfortable as the weather changes. Compatible with WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Cozi II, Ultra Tough II, Premier Free II and Plus Dynamic II rugs, liners feature a single touch tape front closure and touch tape tabs on the neck to keep it in place when layered with these turnout rugs as well as clips at the rear to allow easy optional layering. Choose from the ComFiTec Cotton Liner featuring a strong 270g outer shell with 60% cotton for natural breathability, the ComFiTec Liner Medium/Lite with a 210 denier outer and 100g polyfill, or for extra warmth the ComFiTec Liner Medium has 200g polyfill.

As we mentioned previously, every state in Australia is different when it comes to weather, but in terms of rugs for winter we really have something to suit every horse’s needs. Starting with one of our best-valued new rugs, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Prelim Combo Neck Medium is at number 1. It’s loaded with features and has 1200 denier waterproof and breathable outer with a warm 220g polyfill. This is an ideal weight for cold wintery conditions.

If you’re one that likes versatility in their winter rugs, then consider the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Plus Dynamic II Combo Neck Medium or the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free II Detach-A-Neck Medium. These rugs offer your horse a high level of comfort with the memory foam wither relief pad that contours to the horse's shape and lifts the rug off the wither to reduce rubbing and provide added comfort. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free II also features the unique full embrace wrap for a huggable fit.

If you’ve got a horse that’s tough on its rugs, then we recommend the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Hardi Detach-A-Neck Medium. Made from a super strong 1800 denier outer shell with a revolutionary EcoElite™ Teflon coating, which is a renewably sourced, plant-based textile repellent that offers waterproofness and breathability alike. Already boasting a cosy 220g of polyfill, you can add extra warmth with the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec liner system we mentioned earlier. The best part about this rug is the innovative Twist n' Lock closure system crafted to offer easy fastening and ensure maximum safety in the paddock.

If you prefer a super warm rug without the added weight, the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Thinsulate Combo Neck 300Gm is the ideal rug! This rug features unique Thinsulate filling technology which provides lightweight breathable warmth for your horse without the added bulk, by trapping the heat to better insulate for complete comfort. The Thinsulate fill is equivalent to 300g of polyfill and combined with the Thermi-heat lining which utilises thermal reflection to help maintain warmth and prevent heat loss, will keep your horse warm and protected from the elements. These are our rugs of choice for super chilly winter conditions.

Finally our most luxurious choice of rug for winter which is certain to keep your horse warm and protected is the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Comfi II Detach-A-Neck Medium. This rug features a removable and washable snug fit neck cover and Cozi Guard that protects the horse's chest. The cosy 220g lofty polyfill can be enhanced with the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec liner system. Our favourite feature that truly makes this rug stand out is the new Twist N’ Lock system, offering an adjustable, easy-to-use, and safety-first fastening design.

Don’t forget, the most outstanding thing about our WeatherBeeta synthetic turnout rugs is that they come with a three-year warranty on hardware, breathability and waterproofness.

Horseland is the rug specialist, with the biggest range, best brands and best value. From nylon turnout rugs for the southern cold states to breathable canvas rugs for the northern wet states, we’re proud to offer the largest variety of horse rugs in Australia to keep your horse warm and dry in winter. Head into your local Horseland store or browse our full range of rugs online.