There’s nothing more cosy and inviting than one of the best stable rugs on a cold evening. With horses less able to create their own warmth from movement in a stable, it’s important to make sure they can stay warm and regulate their temperature. For this reason, choosing the right fill weight for the temperature – or right number of layers – is essential.
The general rule is that your horse would benefit from a slightly heavier rug in the stable than he would in the field in the same conditions. So if he would be most comfortable in a lightweight turnout in the field, you should consider a medium weight stable rug. Having a selection of options is ideal, but layering up is another way around this.
When you’re choosing the best stable rug for your horse, you should also consider whether you want a neck and what fastenings you prefer. T-bar fastenings are common as they are quick and easy, whereas buckles offer adjustability. The gold standard is a combination of buckles and clips, which allows you to find the perfect fit and then fasten quickly and easily. Other features to look out for in the best stable rugs are anti-rub linings, pressure-relieving with pads and shoulder gussets to offer freedom of movement.
Best stable rugs in a range of fill weights
Shires Tempest Plus
Fill: 0g, 100g, 200g
Style: Standard or combo (100/200g) neck
Outer: 1200D
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft
Colours: Navy (0g), green (100g) or red (200g)
RRP: From £52.99 (0g), £57.99 (100g), £61.99 (200g)
These stable rugs have seriously durable outers and SupaFleece trims for a luxurious feel. Both the standard neck and combo versions have buckle fastenings at the chest, adjustable cross surcingles, fillet string and a tail flap.
View the 0g at viovet.co.uk
View the 100g standard at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
View the 100g combo at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
View the 200g standard at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or sportsdirect.com
View the 200g combo at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec PP Channel Quilt II
Fill: 220g, 360g
Style: Detachable (220g) or combo (360g) neck
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft3in
Colours: Maroon (220g) or navy (360g)
RRP: £114.99
This technical stable rug is compatible with WeatherBeeta liners, which makes it really versatile. It features a memory foam wither relief pad that contours to the horses shape and lifts the rug off the withers to reduce rubbing and provide added comfort, plus an easy clip front closure. It also has traditional side gussets for natural movement, twin low cross surcingles and tail cord.
View the 220g now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, decathlon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View the 360g now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Bucas Quilts
Fill: 50g, 150g or 300g
Style: Standard neck with attachments
Sizes: 4ft9in – 7ft3in
Colours: Navy
RRP: From £99 for 50g
The Bucas Quilt can be used on its own or as an extra layer underneath a turnout. It features attachments so that you can purchase an optional neck in standard shape or ‘big neck version’, which is suitable for stallions or breed with wider shoulders. The rug is available with a choice of two linings – Stay-Dry (SD) or Silk-Feel (SF). The SD version can be put on a wet horse and the lining will wick the moisture away and help your horse dry faster, while the SF also wicks away the moisture but at a slower rate but keeps the coat silky smooth.
View the 150g SD at amazon.co.uk
View the 150g SF at amazon.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View the 300g SD at amazon.co.uk
View the 300g SF at amazon.co.uk
Hy StormX Original Stable Rug
Fill: 100g, 200g, 300g
Style: Standard or combo neck
Outer: 210D
Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in
Colours: Wide range
RRP: From £44.99 (100g), £52.99 (200g), £69.99 (300g)
This rug is available in a range of weights and limited edition prints, including Thelwell designs. It features a fleece-lined wither area, adjustable cross surcingles, twin buckle chest fastenings, fillet string and tail flap.
View 100g standard neck now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View 100g combo neck now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View 200g standard neck now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View 200g combo neck now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, decathlon.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View 300g combo neck now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Swish Equestrian Stable Rug
Fill: 50g, 100g, 200g or 360g
Style: Detachable neck
Sizes: 4ft3in – 7ft6in
Colours: Mulberry, green, red, pink, orange or blue
RRP: £72.99 (50g), £75.99 (100g), £76.99 (200g), £85.99 (360g)
Available in a range of fill weights, this Swish stable rug can be used with or without the detachable neck cover. It has liner attachments so compatible liners can be added to increase warmth throughout the colder weather. It has large shoulder gussets, cross surcingles and a tail flap. The rug is designed to sit higher on the neck and shoulders to prevent slipping and rubbing, while soft nylon lining also has anti-slip darts on the quarters.
View the 50g now at amazon.co.uk
View the 100g now at amazon.co.uk
View the 200g now at amazon.co.uk
View the 360g now at amazon.co.uk
Whitaker Rastrick Stable Rugs
Fill: 200g, 250g
Style: Standard (200g) or combo (250g) neck
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 4ft9in – 7ft
Colours: Red/blue
RRP: £34.95 (200g standard), £49.95 (250g combo)
This medium weight rug has contrast red and navy binding with reflective ribbon woven through. Both weights feature fleece wither protection, double adjustable trigger clip chest fastenings and cross surcingles, while the detachable hood (on the 250g), which is shaped around the head, attaches via D-rings and elasticated Velcro.
View the 200g now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, decathlon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
View the 250g now at viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, decathlon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
JHL Essential Stable Rug
Fill: 150g, 250g, 350g
Style: Standard neck
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 5ft 6in – 7ft
Colours: Black/burgundy
RRP: £46.99 (150g), £49.99 (250g), £64.99 (350g)
This stable rug has a 600D polyester outer, nylon lining, adjustable double front buckles and low cross surcingles. It also features reinforced nylon anti-rub shoulders, fleece wither protection and shoulder gussets for additional movement.
View 150g now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
View 250g now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
View 350g now at gsequestrian.co.uk
Ruggles Stable Rug With Fleece Collar
Fill: 50g, 100g, 200g, 400g
Style: Standard neck
Outer: 420D
Sizes: 2ft9in – 7ft6in
Colours: Range of colours
RRP: From £38 (50g), £41 (100g), £46 (200g), £50 (400g)
This smart stable rug comes in a really wide range of sizes, so is ideal if you have a mini or a giant. It has a soft polyester lining to help prevent rubbing and keep the coat smooth. It features double adjustable surcingles and has a generous tail flap and a fillet string to stop the back end of the rug from moving. The chest fastens with double adjustable chest straps and quick-release clips, while the generous shoulder gussets allow easier movement, which in turn creates less friction and reduces the chance of rubbing.
View 50g standard sizes now at amazon.co.uk
View 100g standard sizes now at amazon.co.uk
View 200g standard sizes now at amazon.co.uk
View all sizes and weights now at ebay.co.uk
Fouganza 400 Stable Rug
Fill: 400g
Style: Standard neck
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 125–165cm (more info on EU sizing)
Colours: Navy or blue
RRP: £84.99
This rug has 300g filling all over, with an extra 100g along the topline where your horse needs it most. It fastens at the chest with quick clips, but has buckles for adjustability, plus T-bar cross surcingles, and two adjustable and removable leg straps. The design includes shoulder gussets for freer movement, foam pads at the wither and a belly flap for extra warmth.
You might also like:
Turnout and stable rug options if you’re shopping on a budget
A pick of the best lightweight turnouts for changeable weather
Best medium weight turnout rugs for chillier days
12 warm heavyweight turnouts for the winter
7 smart show rugs sure to stand out from the crowd
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