If you’ve found yourself staring at the weather app wondering what rug should I use, you’re not alone. The changeable British weather makes rugging one of the most debated topics on the yard. To help, we’ve pulled together a straightforward guide to choosing the right rug for your horse, with some of our tried-and-tested favourites from the ranges we stock here at Four Hills Equestrian & Country.

What to Consider When Choosing a Rug

Every horse is different, so before reaching for a rug think about:

• Age and general health

• Breed type (fine vs native)

• Workload and fitness level

• Access to shelter or stabling

• Current body condition and weight

• Whether clipped or unclipped

These factors matter just as much as the temperature outside.

Quick Rugging Guide by Temperature

Here’s a handy framework for deciding what rug to use. Adjust depending on your horse’s type, condition, and whether they’re clipped or unclipped.

Over 15 °C → No rug, or a fly rug if insects are out
10–15 °C → Lightweight turnout (0–100 g)
5–10 °C → Medium turnout (150–250 g)
Below 5 °C → Heavyweight turnout (300 g+)

For more detail, you can also refer to the official BETA rugging guide:

Weather apps and rugging guides are handy, but our horses usually tell us more. Our cob snoozes happily until temperatures dip into single figures, while their finer-skinned warmblood types best friend looks miserable the moment the breeze picks up. Checking behind the elbow for sweat or shivers should become a daily ritual as we approach winter.

Do You Need a Neck Cover?

Neck covers can be a lifesaver in wet and windy weather, especially for clipped horses. They help prevent rain from seeping onto the withers and keep the coat drier. Many rugs, like the StormX range, are available with detachable or combo neck options so you can adjust as conditions change.

Don’t Forget Denier Strength

It’s not just about warmth, durability matters too. Denier refers to the strength of the outer fabric. For field-kept horses or known rug rippers, a higher denier rug such as 1200D or 1680D will stand up better to daily wear.

Rug Weights Explained

Horse rugs usually fall into three main weight categories:

Lightweight (0g–100g)

Lightweight rugs are the ones we grab for those in-between days, warm autumn afternoons, cooler summer nights, or drizzly spells when you don’t want your horse soaked but it’s not cold enough for a fill. They’re also a go-to for clipped horses that run warm, or natives that just need a bit of protection from the elements. Fly rugs sit under this bracket too, offering cover against midges and sun without extra heat.

Explore our full Lightweight Rugs Collection for options that keep horses comfortable in mild, unsettled weather.

Try the StormX Empra Quagga Shield Fly Rug for extra coverage against rain &  flies.

Mediumweight (150g–250g)

Mediumweights come into their own as the temperatures drop into single figures, especially for clipped horses or finer types. They’re versatile enough to carry most horses through autumn and spring, and can be layered up with stable rugs for extra warmth overnight. We find mediums especially useful in that “wobbly weather” stage where mornings are frosty but afternoons still warm.

Browse our Mediumweight Rugs Collection for reliable coverage during the chillier months.

The StormX Empra 200g Turnout Rug with Detachable Neck gives reliable coverage in changeable autumn weather.

Heavyweight Rugs(300g+)

Heavyweight rugs are built for winter’s worst. They keep horses cosy and dry in driving rain, sleet, frost, and snow. These are the rugs you’ll want for fully clipped horses living out, or those finer types that don’t hold condition as easily in the cold. Look out for high denier outers for durability and waterproofing, especially useful if you’ve got a known rug-wrecker in the field.
Shop our Heavyweight Rugs Collection for rugs that provide maximum warmth and protection in the depths of winter.

When the cold really bites, the StormX Empra 300g Combi Turnout Rug is a popular choice.

Avoiding the Common Rugging Mistakes

We see the same things crop up on yards every year, BETA have put together a brilliant guide for what to rug and when:

• Rugging too early in autumn and blocking coat growth

• Leaving heavy rugs on during mild spells and risking overheating

• Forgetting neck coverage in constant rain — wet withers aren’t fun

• Assuming clipped horses always need heavyweights — plenty run warmer than you think

Final Thoughts

Rugging doesn’t have to be complicated. By keeping a small mix of versatile rugs, watching the forecast, and reading your horse first, you’ll be covered for whatever the season throws at you.

Explore our full Horse Rug Room Collection and shop the pieces we’re actually using on our own yards this autumn and winter.