10 types of saddle pads for cooling the horse after exercise and in hot weather
Cooling rugs are useful for travel and after exercise or bathing.
The best cooling rugs for horses are usually multi-purpose.
Their main purpose is to help cool the horse down after exercise, but they are also often used to keep horses cool during travel and to speed up drying and prevent chills after bathing.
It is essential that the best cooling rugs for horses be breathable and have effective moisture-wicking properties in order to perform well.
Some of them are even designed to be soaked in water to reduce the horse’s body temperature.
We have placed this type of rug in the category of water-activated cooling rugs for hot weather.
The best cooling rugs for horses WeatherBeeta Scrim Cooler Standard Neck Rug Colors: navy/maroon Sizes: 4ft – 7ft This lightweight and breathable rug from Weatherbeeta features mesh panels that wick away moisture and keep the horse dry and comfortable.
A single chest closure, adjustable hidden surcingle, and tail strap keep the rug both smart and secure.
Shires Tempest Original Mesh Cooler Rug Colors: navy Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in The lightweight, breathable, and airy mesh of this rug from Shires creates a microclimate that allows moisture and heat to escape without causing chills.
This rug fastens with two T-bar chest straps, adjustable cross surcingles, and a fillet strap.
Protechmasta Therapy Cooler Rug Colors: black Sizes: 5ft9in – 7ft3in This Masta rug uses far infrared radiation, which is a natural process, to gently and safely aid circulation.
The rug is made from a high-wicking mesh outer layer that is lightweight and breathable for optimum airflow.
The ceramic inner layer helps regulate temperature.
A neck cover is available separately.
Hy StormX Empra MeshX Flow Cooler Rug Colors: light blue Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in This rug is made from lightweight, perforated mesh to wick away moisture and optimize airflow, providing maximum breathability and comfort.
It features a front surcingle chest fastening, adjustable straps, and a fillet strap to keep the rug in place.
Bucas Power Prize Logo Cooler Rug Colors: navy/gold, black/silver or navy/silver Sizes: 5–7ft This product is made from innovative "stay-dry" fabric that effectively wicks away moisture so your horse stays dry and comfortable after exercise or during travel.
Its shiny outer layer is also resistant to dirt and bedding.
There is also the option to have the Bucas logo embroidered on this rug, making it suitable for show sponsors at award ceremonies.
Masta Waffle Air Tech Cooler Rug Colors: black/silver Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft6in The Air Tech cooling rug from Masta features moisture-wicking waffle fabric with a soft honeycomb section over the back and lower sides in highly breathable mesh.
This rug fastens with a T-bar front closure and an additional Velcro fastening for extra security, and has adjustable cross surcingles under the belly and a tail strap.
LeMieux Kudos Bamboo Cooler Rug Colors: forest, mauve, powder blue, black or navy Sizes: 4ft9in – 7ft3in This stylish cooling rug from LeMieux features a hexagonal pattern and suede-effect trim.
This product has Simuwool shoulder protection and an antistatic, antibacterial inner layer.
It fastens with an angled T-bar buckle, crossed straps, and a tail cord.
Best water-activated cooling rugs for horses These technical rugs are excellent for cooling horses in hot weather and are ideal for use as part of a post-exercise cooling routine, for horses that do not like the hose, or when water is limited.
Equilibrium Quick Chill Rug Colors: Light blue Sizes: S (5ft3in – 5ft6in), M (5ft9in – 6ft), L (6ft3in – 6ft6in), or XL (6ft9in – 7ft) This cooling rug is designed to quickly draw heat from the horse’s body and provides up to 5.
9 degrees Celsius of cooling without soaking the horse.
It is made from an advanced breathable open-cell structure material designed to absorb and store water effectively.
It features Velcro at the front, a belly strap with a plastic buckle, and a tail cord for added security.
It is available with or without a neck cover.
How to use: Simply soak in water until fully saturated, then wring out and place on the horse for comfortable cooling after exercise, travel, or on hot days.
It has a cooling area shaped and sized to cover large muscle groups in the back and hindquarters with direct contact.
Lightweight mesh panels at the lower part improve airflow and evaporation, making the cooling process more efficient.
You can reactivate it with water as often as needed.
Equilibrium recommends not allowing the rug to dry while it is on the horse.
LeMieux Crystal Cooler Rug Colors: Grey Sizes: Small, Medium, or Large This water-activated under rug is designed to help with gentle surface cooling.
It features embedded crystals that absorb cold water and, through evaporation, create a long-lasting cooling effect, actively drawing heat away from key muscle groups.
Its anatomical cooling panels help maximize contact across the back and hindquarters, delivering targeted cooling where it is needed most.
The breathable, lightweight mesh shell fabric encourages airflow to help dissipate heat and evaporation.
It has a front buckle closure, an adjustable strap, and a soft tail cord to keep the rug securely in place.
How to use: Before first use, you must soak the rug in water for two hours to activate the crystals.
It can be reactivated several times by soaking in water for up to one hour.
LeMieux recommends soaking in water at 15 degrees or lower for the best cooling effect.
Remove the rug from your horse when the cooling crystals have reached ambient body temperature.
Waldhausen Health + Care Ice-Layer Rug Colors: Night blue Sizes: 125 cm – 165 cm This breathable water cooling rug uses water to help cool the horse on hot summer days.
This rug is secured with a single clip closure at the chest and a retaining strap.
A neck cover is available separately.
How to use: The rug comes with a practical bag that can be submerged together with the rug in a bucket of water – then wring out the rug and place it on the horse’s back.
You can reactivate it with water as often as needed.
What are moisture-wicking materials?
Moisture-wicking materials draw moisture away from the body and are used frequently in technical clothing as well as in numnahs and saddle pads.
Drawing moisture away from the body to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate, helps keep you (or your horse) cool.
Moisture-wicking materials are the best option in cooling numnahs.
If you (or your horse) are exercising and moisture (sweat) is not removed, the body cannot cool itself properly, whereas if you stop exercising and moisture remains on the skin, the body will become cold.
The best way to cool a horse is to use cold water continuously.
Source: Emma Herrod Photography Preventing dehydration should be at the top of your list when travelling with a horse in hot weather.
Source: Emma Herrod Photography What is the best way to cool horses, and should water be wiped off their bodies?
Source: Alamy Source: Horse & Hound