The Dutch weather can be quite unpredictable: one day the sun is shining, the next your horse is standing in heavy rain. No wonder many horse owners wonder, “when should I use which rug for my horse?”

The right rug keeps your horse comfortable, protects against cold or rain, and prevents unnecessary energy loss from maintaining body temperature. Which rug is best depends on the temperature, your horse’s coat, and its living conditions. In this rug guide, you’ll read exactly which types of rugs exist and when to use them.

The different types of horse rugs

There are many types of horse rugs, each with its own function. The right choice depends on the season, the weather, and your horse’s needs. Below you’ll find the most important rug types.

Rain rugs

A rain rug is used to protect your horse against rain, wind, and cold. These rugs are waterproof and breathable, keeping your horse dry without overheating.

There are unlined rain rugs (0 grams of filling) for mild temperatures, and lined versions (50–100 grams) for colder, wet days. Clipped or older horses especially benefit from a lined rain rug, especially when they spend a lot of time outside.

Winter rugs

A winter rug is designed for the coldest months of the year. These rugs typically have fillings of 100, 200, or 300 grams. The level of filling needed depends on the outside temperature, living conditions, and your horse’s natural coat. View our winter rug guide for extra help in choosing the right winter rug filling.

A clipped or thin-coated horse needs a warm rug sooner than a horse with a thick winter coat. As a guideline: when temperatures drop below 5°C, a winter rug is often a good idea - especially with wind, rain, or frost.

Stable rugs

A stable rug is used for horses that stay mainly indoors. These rugs are not waterproof but they are warm and breathable. This keeps the horse clean, warm, and comfortable without sweating.

Stable rugs are ideal during cold nights for horses stabled overnight. Do note: these rugs should not be used outside, as rain saturates the fabric, causing heat loss and faster wear.

Liner rugs (Under rugs)

Liner rugs offer extra insulation during cold periods. You use them underneath a rain rug or winter rug for added warmth. They’re ideal during severe frost, for clipped horses, or horses that cool down quickly.

Their soft materials provide a close fit without pressure points. Always check whether your rain or winter rug has attachment points for a liner for optimal comfort.

Fleece / Sweat rugs

A sweat rug is used after training, competitions, or washing. It helps absorb sweat and moisture so your horse can dry off gradually without cooling too quickly.

Sweat rugs come in fleece or wool, each with its own benefits. In our blog article about a wool or fleece rug for your horse, we explain everything in more detail. A sweat rug typically stays on for 30–60 minutes until your horse is fully dry. Afterwards, replace it with a rain rug or winter rug depending on the weather.

Summer rugs

In summer, summer rugs, fly rugs, and eczema rugs are ideal to protect your horse from sun, dust, insects, and itching. They are lightweight, breathable, and keep annoying flies away. Some even offer UV protection for sensitive horses.

Use them mainly in warm, dry weather or when your horse spends a lot of time in the pasture. Expect rainy summer days? Then a fly rain rug offers the perfect solution.

Find the right rug at Agradi

Whether you’re looking for a rain rug, winter rug, stable rug, liner, sweat rug, fly rug, or eczema rug - Agradi has everything you need to keep your horse comfortable in every season. Browse the full range of rugs at Agradi and find the perfect match for your horse.

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