The results of a survey which explored the reasons that influence why, when and how owners choose to rug their horses have revealed that rugging decisions are far more complex than temperature alone.
Emma Best, a mature student in the final year of a BSc (Hons) equine bio-veterinary science degree at Anglia Ruskin University, Writtle, created the survey with the aim of collecting detailed information on how rugging decisions are influenced by factors such as weather conditions, individual horse characteristics and owner perceptions or experiences.
The study set out to explore how horse owners across the UK make rugging decisions, and whether these align with current understanding of equine thermoregulation. The idea originated from the question: how do we really know which rug a horse needs each day?
Over 1,000 horse owners responded to the survey which asked questions about rugging habits, decision-making under different weather scenarios, and owners’ understanding of the thermoneutral zone.
Empathy shapes tugging
“Owners consistently increased rug weight as environmental conditions became more severe, particularly in cold, wet, and windy weather. However, decisions were also influenced by a combination of factors including horse behaviour, perceived comfort, management conditions, and breed type,” said Emma.
“One of the most important findings was the role of owner empathy. Under mild conditions (e.g. 10°C and dry), there was no significant relationship between how cold an owner felt and the rug they chose. However, in extreme weather (below 0°C with heavy rain and wind), a strong association emerged. Owners who reported feeling colder themselves were significantly more likely to choose heavier rugs.”
While owner empathy suggests a strong human to animal bond, the concern is this may lead to over rugging which has been linked to wider health concerns such as obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
Individual needs matter
“Importantly, rugging was rarely applied uniformly. Most respondents reported adjusting rugging on an individual horse basis, supporting the idea that blanket guidelines may not always be appropriate,” continued Emma.
“Breed differences were evident in milder conditions, where owners appeared to make assumptions about thermal resilience. However, as weather severity increased, these differences diminished, and rugging became more consistent across all types, suggesting that perceived welfare risk overrides breed-based strategies.”
Next steps
Emma is hoping to develop an app to support evidence-based rugging decisions which would provide horse owners with clear, evidence-based guidance to help them make the best decision for their horse.
“Ultimately, this study shows that while owners care deeply about their horses’ wellbeing, rugging decisions are influenced by a complex mix of environmental, emotional, and practical factors,” added Emma.
“Supporting owners with clearer guidance and accessible tools could lead to more consistent, welfare-focused management across the equine industry.”
