Collection: Rugs

Horse Rugs Buying Guide

A well-fitted horse rug helps keep your horse comfortable, protected and performing at its best throughout the year. Whether you're looking for a heavyweight winter rug to provide warmth on cold mornings, a waterproof rain sheet for wet weather, a breathable cotton rug for warmer conditions or a fly rug to protect against insects and harmful UV rays, choosing the right rug is essential for your horse's comfort and wellbeing.

At Ascot Saddlery, we stock one of Australia's leading ranges of horse rugs from trusted brands including Eurohunter, Zilco, Kozy, Lamicell and more. Our extensive collection includes winter rugs, turnout rugs, rain sheets, stable rugs, cotton rugs, summer rugs, fly rugs, fleece rugs, wool rugs, exercise sheets and miniature horse rugs, giving you options to suit every horse, every season and every budget.

Choosing the right rug is about much more than selecting a weight. Rug fit, waterproofing, breathability, denier, insulation, lining, neck style and your horse's individual needs all play an important role in keeping your horse comfortable throughout the changing Australian seasons.

Whether you're buying your horse's first rug or replacing an old favourite, our experienced team can help you choose the right rug, weight and size for your horse.

How to Choose the Right Horse Rug

Choosing the right horse rug starts with understanding your horse, your local climate and how the rug will be used. A clipped competition horse living outdoors through a Victorian winter has very different rugging requirements to an unclipped pony with access to shelter.

When selecting a rug, consider:

• The weather and seasonal conditions.
• Whether your horse is clipped or carrying a full winter coat.
• Whether your horse lives in the paddock, stable or a combination of both.
• Your horse's age, condition and workload.
• The level of warmth, waterproofing and durability required.

No single rug suits every horse or every situation. The best choice balances comfort, protection and practicality.

Understanding Rug Fill Weights

One of the most common questions we hear is, "What weight rug does my horse need?"

Rug warmth is determined by the amount of insulation, or fill, measured in grams (g).

• 0g – Waterproof protection with no insulation.
• 50–100g – Lightweight warmth.
• 150–220g – Medium-weight winter rugs.
• 250–350g – Heavyweight winter rugs.
• 400g+ – Maximum warmth.

Choosing a heavier rug isn't always better. Over-rugging can cause horses to sweat beneath the rug, reducing comfort as temperatures change.

Understanding Denier Ratings

One of the most confusing parts of buying a horse rug is understanding denier (D).

Denier measures the strength and durability of the outer fabric, not how warm the rug is.

As a guide:

• 600D – Suitable for quieter horses.
• 1200D – Excellent all-round durability.
• 1680D+ – Premium durability for horses that are tough on rugs.

Higher denier generally means greater resistance to tearing and abrasion.

Rug Features Worth Looking For

Modern rugs include features designed to improve comfort, fit and durability.

Waterproof & Breathable Outer

Keeps rain out while allowing excess body heat to escape.

Shoulder Gussets

Improve freedom of movement and reduce rubbing.

Combo & Detachable Necks

Provide additional weather protection while allowing flexibility.

Tail Flaps

Increase weather protection.

Surcingles & Leg Straps

Help keep the rug secure during movement.

Wither Protection

Fleece or memory foam reduces rubbing over sensitive withers.

Winter Horse Rugs

Winter rugs are one of the most important investments for horse owners. They help protect against cold, wind and rain while reducing the amount of energy your horse uses to stay warm.

At Ascot Saddlery, our range includes lightweight, medium and heavyweight winter rugs, with options available in standard neck, combo neck and detachable neck designs.

When comparing winter rugs, look for features such as:

• Durable outer fabrics with appropriate denier ratings.
• Waterproof and breathable construction.
• Shoulder gussets for freedom of movement.
• Tail flaps for additional weather protection.
• Secure cross surcingles and adjustable leg straps.
• Wither protection designed to minimise rubbing.

The ideal rug is the one that keeps your horse warm without overheating.

Summer Rugs & Fly Protection

Summer rugs help protect horses from flies, biting insects, UV exposure, dust and coat fading.

Our range includes lightweight cotton rugs, fly rugs, mesh rugs, summer combos and full-neck designs suitable for a variety of climates and horse types.

For horses affected by Queensland Itch or Sweet Itch, full-coverage fly rugs with neck and belly protection can help reduce irritation by limiting insect bites.

Different rugs offer varying levels of UV protection, making them particularly valuable for horses with dark coats, pink skin or those spending long hours in the paddock.

Rain Sheets & Lightweight Turnouts

Rain sheets are among the most versatile rugs you'll own. Featuring waterproof outer fabrics with 0g fill, they provide protection from rain while remaining comfortable during mild weather.

Look for:

• Waterproof, breathable fabrics.
• Taped seams.
• Secure chest closures.
• Shoulder gussets.
• Durable denier construction appropriate for your horse's environment.

A quality rain sheet helps keep your horse dry without unnecessary insulation during changing weather conditions.

Stable Rugs

Stable rugs are designed for horses kept indoors and are not intended for paddock use. They provide warmth without waterproofing and are ideal for horses spending the night in a stable. Stable rugs are available in a range of fill weights and are often layered beneath turnout rugs during particularly cold weather.

Travel & Float Rugs

Travel rugs help protect your horse during transport by reducing coat rubbing while assisting with temperature regulation.

Lightweight cotton and mesh rugs are ideal during warmer weather, while fleece rugs can assist with moisture management and warmth during cooler conditions or longer journeys.

Choose the rug that best matches the weather, travel duration and your horse's individual needs.

Show Rugs & Presentation

A clean, well-fitted rug helps keep your horse looking its best before competition.

Show rugs, presentation rugs and hoods help keep coats clean while protecting against dust, bedding stains and weather before entering the ring.

Choose a rug that fits correctly across the chest, shoulders and hindquarters to ensure both comfort and a polished appearance.

Common Rugging Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes horse owners make is assuming that a heavier rug is always better.

Common mistakes include:

• Over-rugging.
• Choosing the wrong size.
• Using damaged rugs.
• Leaving wet rugs on.
• Not checking rugs daily.
• Forgetting that rugging needs change with clipping, weather and workload.

Regularly checking both your horse and their rug helps prevent discomfort and extends the life of your investment.

Rug Sizing

Choosing the correct rug size is essential for both comfort and durability.

Horse rugs are measured from the centre of the chest to the point of the buttock, following the side of the horse. In Australia, rug sizes are generally expressed in feet and inches.

To measure your horse:

• Stand your horse square on level ground.
• Measure from the centre of the chest to the point of the buttock using a soft tape measure.
• Choose the nearest available rug size.

If your horse falls between sizes, our experienced team can help determine which size and brand are likely to provide the best fit, as sizing can vary between manufacturers.

Caring for Your Horse Rugs

A quality horse rug is an investment, and regular care will help maximise its performance and lifespan.

To keep your rugs in excellent condition:

• Remove dirt and dried mud before storing.
• Wash rugs according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Ensure rugs are completely dry before storage.
• Store in a clean, dry, breathable bag.
• Check buckles, surcingles and stitching regularly for signs of wear.
• Repair small tears promptly to prevent further damage.
• Reproof waterproof rugs as required to maintain water resistance.

We also stock a comprehensive range of rug accessories, waterproofing products and horse grooming equipment to help keep your rugs performing at their best.

Why Trust Ascot Saddlery for Horse Rugs?

At Ascot Saddlery, we've been helping Australian horse owners choose the right rugs since 1977. Nearly 50 years of experience means we've helped customers rug horses in every climate, from cold Victorian winters through to hot Queensland summers.

Our achievements include:

• Saddleworld Store of the Year – 2007 and 2010.
• PDS, Pessoa & Trainers Dealer of the Year – 2024 (Inaugural Award) and 2025.

Our experienced team understands that choosing the right rug isn't simply about selecting a weight. We'll help you consider your horse's coat, workload, living conditions and local climate to recommend the most suitable option.

If you're unsure about sizing, rug weight or which style best suits your horse, give us a call on (03) 9376 5444 before ordering. A few minutes of expert advice can help ensure you choose the right rug the first time.

Buying Horse Rugs Online

Buying horse rugs online is easy when you have experienced advice before you order.

When you purchase from Ascot Saddlery you'll enjoy:

• Free Australia-wide shipping on eligible orders.
• Detailed product descriptions, specifications and photography.
• Advice from our experienced equestrian team before you buy.
• Returns and exchanges in accordance with our published policy.

Complete your horse's wardrobe with matching neck rugs, hoods, grooming products, leather care items and stable accessories available from Ascot Saddlery.