Let’s talk about rugs. We all love buying them and growing our collection to include everything from the best rain sheets to the best heavyweight turnout rugs – but are your current stable rugs really working for your horse? I’ve put this guide together to bring you the best stable rugs on the market designed to help keep your horse warm, comfortable and clean when stabled.
Best stable rugs: H&H’s quick guide
Best stable rug for a rug-wrecker: Shires Tempest Plus
Best value stable rug: Swish Equestrian Stable Rug
Best stable rug for a broad fit: Epic Classic
Best stable rug for tiny ponies: Ruggles Stable Rug With Fleece Collar
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
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
Reasons to buy
- Available in a range of weights
- Strong outer denier
- Liner compatible
- Good coverage
Reasons to avoid
- Neck length came up short on the combo
These stable rugs have seriously durable outers and SupaFleece trims for a luxurious feel to help reduce the risk of rubbing. Both the standard neck and combo versions have buckle fastenings at the chest, adjustable cross surcingles, fillet string and a tail flap. The difference between the Tempest Plus and Tempest Original is the Plus has a Supafleece neck trim, higher denier outer making it perfect for rug wreckers and it’s liner compatible allowing you to attach separate liners when the temperature drops.
We loved this rug and our tester (website editor Carol Phillips) used the combo on her middleweight Irish Sport Horse daily during the winter months. She found it was true to size and provided enough depth and length to keep him warm, it didn’t slip or rub even with daily use. Carol said: “This is a simple but well-designed, robust combo stable rug.”
Read Carol’s full Shires Tempest Plus stable rug review.
Swish Equestrian Stable Rug
Fill: 50g, 100g, 200g or 360g
Style: Detachable neck
Sizes: 4ft3in – 7ft6in
Reasons to buy
- Available in a range of different fill weights
- Compatible with liners
Reasons to avoid
- Not available as a combo with a fixed neck
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 the soft nylon lining also has anti-slip darts on the quarters.
Epic Classic Stable Rug – Broad Fit
Fill: 50g, 100g, 200g
Style: Standard neck with attachments
Outer: 420D
Sizes: 5ft9in – 7ft6in
Reasons to buy
- Designed for broad fit horses
- Teflon coated to prevent stable stains
- Compatible with liners
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t have a heavier breed
These stable rugs have durable outers with an added Teflon coating to help aid against stable stains. All of the Epic classic stable rug range is compatible with Epic liners giving you more versatility with each rug. It fastens at the chest with quick clips, but has buckles for adjustability, plus low T-bar cross surcingles, and adjustable detachable leg straps. The broad fit rugs are designed specifically for horses with a broader chest, neck, shoulders and apple-bottom. If you don’t require a broad fitting rug for your horse, check out Epic Equestrian’s regular fit rug range.
Ruggles Stable Rug With Fleece Collar
Fill: 50g, 100g, 200g, 400g
Style: Standard neck
Outer: 420D
Sizes: 2ft9in – 7ft6in
Reasons to buy
- Generous tail flap
- Plenty of size and colour options
Reasons to avoid
- Only available as a standard neck
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.
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec PP Channel Quilt II
Fill: 220g, 360g
Style: Detachable (220g) or combo (360g) neck
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft3in
Reasons to buy
- Compatible with liners
- Offers great coverage
Reasons to avoid
- Starts at 220g fill weight
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 horse’s 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.
Premier Equine Stable Buster With Neck
Fill: 100g, 200g, 450g
Style: Detachable neck
Outer: 1000D
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft3in
Reasons to buy
- Neck cover included
- Extra high elasticated shoulder gusset
- Compatible with liners
Reasons to avoid
- Detachable neck might not suit your requirements
This smart stable rug is crafted from a breathable and lightweight ripstop polyester. The channel quilted fabric and thermo bonded fill help keep your horse warm. Features an extra high elasticated shoulder gusset, fleece lined wither pad, quick release chest straps, cross surcingles and PVC coated tail strap. It has a detachable neck cover and liner attachments so you can quickly adapt the rug to your horse’s needs. Plus the rug is self-righting so your horse can move freely without the rug slipping.
LeMieux Arika Stable-Tek
Fill: 100g, 200g, 350g
Style: Standard neck with attachments
Outer: 210D
Sizes: 4ft 9in – 7ft3in
Reasons to buy
- Compatible with liners
- Plenty of adjustment
Reasons to avoid
- Low denier
This stable rug has a durable diamond ripstop outer that repels stains and moisture and won’t snag or tear, quilted fill, double t-bar front closure and cross surcingles. It is also compatible with LeMieux rug liners, bibs and necks giving you the full flexibility across all seasons.
Bucas Quilts
Fill: 50g, 150g or 300g
Style: Standard neck with attachments
Sizes: 5ft – 7ft
Reasons to buy
- Stay Dry lining allows you to put the rug on a wet horse
- Attachments for neck cover
Reasons to avoid
- Higher price tag
The Bucas Quilt can be used on its own or as an extra layer underneath a turnout. It features attachments so you can add a neck cover if needed. 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.
HyConic Stable Rug
Fill: 100g, 250g
Style: Standard
Outer: 300D
Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in
Reasons to buy
- Adjustable fastenings
- Generous tail flap
Reasons to avoid
- No neck attachments
This rug is part of Hy Equestrian’s HyConic collection, which is available in a wide range of sizes, and the outer is 300 denier with quilted detail to keep your horse warm. It features adjustable cross surcingles, twin clip chest fastenings, fillet string and a generous tail flap. It is a smart lighter weight stable rug that is perfect for use on its own or as a layer.
Masta Stablemasta Combo Neck Stable Rug
Fill: 200g, 300g
Style: Combo
Outer: 600D
Sizes: 5ft3in – 7ft6in
Reasons to buy
- Special neck design to help prevent mane loss
- Tri-vent gusset for freedom of movement
Reasons to avoid
- Only available in combo style
This rug has a clever dome neck design to help prevent mane loss and the darted fixed neck helps to take pressure off the mane and increase air circulation. It fastens at the chest with quick clips, but has buckles for adjustability, plus T-bar cross surcingles, and two adjustable leg straps. The design includes tri-vent shoulder gussets for freedom of movement, memory foam pads at the wither and a waterproof lower section.
How to find the best stable rug
Horses are less able to create their own warmth from movement in a stable, so 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 or looking for a rug that is compatible with liners 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.
What is denier and why is it important on rugs?
Denier is the number of yarns used to make one thread. The more denier, the stronger the fabric that the rug is made from. When choosing the denier of your rug you need to consider: is your horse a rug wrecker? Do they like rubbing? If so it may be worth investing in a stronger rug with a higher denier as it will be more durable.
What neck style does my horse need?
When choosing a rug for your horse, you will see lots of different neck options to choose from, these can include standard neck, high neck, detachable neck or combo necks. Standard neck rugs are a great choice for milder weather, hot horses or those that tend to lose their manes when wearing a rug with a neck. Horses can often lose their manes when wearing a neck rug and a standard neck turnout rug can help to prevent this. Some standard neck rugs have clips, Velcro or D-rings that can be used to attach a neck cover, typically available separately.
How do I know what size rug my horse needs to fit correctly?
It’s very important to get a good fitting rug otherwise it could result in unwanted rubbing and slipping. UK rugs are usually measured horizontally from the centre of the chest to the end of the rump, in feet and inches. Use a soft tape measure to measure your horse. Read our rug fitting guide for further details.
You may also be interested in…
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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