The best travel rugs for horses are versatile and often double up as cooler rugs and show rugs, or vice versa, as they share a lot of main features. They should be breathable and wicking in order to prevent overheating and keep your horse at a consistent temperature while traveling, but they also need to keep your horse warm if he’s standing around at a competition.
As with any rug, a good fit is important, as is good quality materials and fastenings. The fastenings should also be easy to use as you’re likely to find yourself putting it on and taking it off in some trickier than usual situations — the last thing you want on the morning of your dressage test at a new venue is a rug that’s tricky to take off.
A really good travel rug will last and you’ll find yourself using it time and time again, whatever the season. Finally, if you’re planning on travelling your horse in your new rug to competitions, it’s a bonus if it’s smart and matches your travel boots.
Best travel rugs for horses
WeatherBeeta Wick Dri II Cooler Combo Neck
Colours: Charcoal/blue/white | Sizes: 4ft – 7ft3in | RRP: £84.99 |
This lightweight, breathable and highly wickable cooler from Weatherbeeta has a Cooldry fleece upper to offer additional protection to the major muscle groups and a mesh lower for airflow. It has a combo neck with a hideaway neck pocket with touch-tape closure to easily fold the neck portion away. It has a fleece wither relief panel, single adjustable buckle front closure, single hidden adjustable surcingle and tail cord.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
DefenceX System WicX Cooler Rug With Detachable Neck Cover
Colours: Navy | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft3in | RRP: £69.99 |
This sophisticated cooler rug made by Hy is breathable and will help wick away moisture from the body, making it ideal for after exercise, bathing or while travelling. It looks smart and the detachable neck cover, top and front of the rug are lined with soft navy fleece to provide comfort and warmth. The fleece-lined wither area prevents rubbing and the adjustable surcingle is fastened under the rug for a discrete finish.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
LeMieux Arika Air-Tek Sheet
Colours: Black, grey or burgundy | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft | RRP: £49.95 |
This very light mesh sheet from LeMieux is ideal for the hottest conditions and the linear cooling strips provide maximum air flow over the whole body. The lined chest section has an adjustable front fastening to aid a good fit along with simple cross surcingles. There is an embroidery area on the back corner for personalisation.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or naylors.com
Mark Todd Coolex Cooler
Colours: Navy/white, navy/red, burgundy/white, black/silver or grey/plum | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft | RRP: £69.99 |
This multi-purpose rug by Mark Todd is made from an advanced triple layer fabric that ensures optimum temperatures are consistently maintained – cool on warm days and warm on cold days. It can also be used when your horse is wet – for example, if you wash him off before heading home.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Rhinegold Smart-Tec Waffle Weave Cooler Rug
Colours: Turquoise check | Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in | RRP: From £34.99 |
This Rhinegold rug is described as technically advanced – it spreads moisture over a wider surface area for faster evaporation, which prevents a chill. It features double chest straps, cross-over surcingles and a fillet string.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Supreme Products Dotty Fleece Rug
Colours: Red or pink | Sizes: 3ft3in – 7ft | RRP: £34.99 |
This smart and versatile soft fleece rug by Supreme Products features a soft fleece wither area, twin front closures, two adjustable surcingles and a filet string keeping it firmly in place offering a comfortable fit.
In the UK? View now at gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Thermatex Original SHR
Colours: 23 options | Sizes: 4ft – 7ft3in | RRP: From £179.95 |
This Thermatex rug is made of three layers of fabric that each works in its own way to help keep horses at their optimum body temperature. When placed on a wet horse, the fabric draws away the moisture before releasing it into the atmosphere, and the middle layer of polypropylene ensures your horse remains warm and comfortable.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
Premier Equine Ventoso Mesh Cooler
Colours: Green, navy or black | Sizes: 5–7ft | RRP: £44 |
This Premier Equine mesh cooler works on the basis of allowing the dispersion of warmth and the transportation of moisture while maximising breathability to aid drying. It has a fleece wither pad, lined chest with T-bar front chest fastening and is anti-static treated.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
You might also like:
Travel in style in one of these smart sets of travel boots
7 tail guards that will provide protection during travel
7 cooler rugs to consider for your four-legged friend
7 smart show rugs sure to stand out from the crowd
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