How to Read Your Horse — Not Just the Weather Forecast
Horses cannot tell us when they are uncomfortable — but they communicate clearly through behaviour, posture and physical signs. Incorrect rugging is one of the most common management errors on UK yards, and many owners rely on temperature charts instead of direct observation.
Learning to assess your horse properly is far more important than memorising rug weights.
This guide explains how to identify when your horse is too hot, too cold, or correctly balanced.
How Horses Regulate Temperature
Horses regulate body temperature through:
- Coat insulation
- Skin blood flow adjustment
- Shivering (to generate heat)
- Sweating (to release heat)
- Behavioural changes
A healthy adult horse has a thermoneutral zone roughly between 5°C and 25°C (depending on coat, body condition and acclimatisation). Outside this range, the horse must expend energy to maintain body temperature.
Incorrect rugging forces the horse to compensate — either by burning calories or by trying to dissipate excess heat.
Signs Your Horse Is Too Cold
Cold stress often develops gradually, especially in damp or windy conditions.
1. Shivering
Mild shivering may occur briefly during sudden weather changes.
Persistent shivering indicates:
- Inadequate rugging
- Insufficient forage intake
- Excess wind exposure
- Wet coat losing insulation
Shivering is the body generating heat through muscle activity — it should not continue for long periods.
2. Tucked Posture
A cold horse may:
- Hold the tail tightly
- Tuck the abdomen
- Stand rigidly
- Appear withdrawn or quiet
Muscle tension helps conserve warmth.
3. Cold Ears and Extremities
Cold ears alone are not conclusive — but very cold ears combined with a tense posture may indicate discomfort.
Always confirm by checking under the rug at the chest or shoulder.
4. Weight Loss
Prolonged cold stress can lead to:
- Increased calorie expenditure
- Gradual weight loss
- Reduced topline
- Dull coat
Cold horses burn energy to maintain core temperature.
5. Reduced Movement or Stiffness
Some cold horses may:
- Stand still for long periods
- Move stiffly
- Show reluctance to lie down
- Appear less engaged
This reflects energy conservation.
Signs Your Horse Is Too Hot
Over-rugging is extremely common in the UK — particularly during mild, damp winters.
1. Sweating Under the Rug
This is the clearest indicator.
Check daily at:
- Chest
- Behind elbows
- Base of neck
- Flank
Damp or sweaty skin means the horse is too warm.
2. Flattened Coat
A natural coat lifts slightly to regulate insulation.
Constant compression under heavy rugs reduces this ability and may indicate excessive warmth.
3. Irritability or Restlessness
Overheated horses may:
- Become grumpy or reactive
- Resist grooming or handling
- Show agitation in the stable
Heat discomfort raises stress levels.
4. Increased Drinking
A horse carrying excess insulation may drink more as the body attempts to regulate temperature.
Monitor water intake patterns.
5. Heat Rash or Skin Irritation
Excess warmth under rugs encourages:
- Sweat rash
- Fungal growth
- Skin irritation
- Rubs
Skin problems are often secondary to chronic overheating.
How to Check Correctly
Never judge by touching the outside of the rug.
Instead:
- Slide your hand inside the rug at the shoulder or behind the elbow
- Feel skin temperature directly
- Check for dampness or sweat
- Assess muscle warmth
What you’re looking for:
- Warm and dry — Correct balance
- Hot and damp — Too warm
- Cold with tight muscles — Too cold
Your hand is the most reliable tool.
The Wind and Rain Factor
Weather context matters more than temperature alone.
- A windy 6°C day may feel colder than a still 0°C day
- Wet coats lose insulation rapidly
- Driving rain increases heat loss
- Shelter availability changes requirements
Always factor wind, moisture and exposure.
Body Condition Overrides Temperature
Not all horses respond the same way.
- Thin horses feel cold sooner
- Overweight horses retain heat more efficiently
- Seniors may regulate temperature less effectively
- Young horses may require support
Never apply identical rug weights across different horses without assessment.
Forage as a Heat Source
Fibre digestion produces internal heat.
If forage intake drops:
- Heat production decreases
- Cold sensitivity increases
Often, increasing hay is more effective than adding a heavier rug.
Common Owner Mistakes
Avoid:
- Rugging based on how cold you feel
- Following other horses without considering differences
- Leaving the same rug on for weeks
- Skipping daily checks under rugs
- Assuming clipped horses are always cold
- Ignoring subtle behavioural signs
Rugging should be responsive — not habitual.
What a Comfortably Rugged Horse Looks Like
The correctly balanced horse will be:
- Warm but dry
- Relaxed in posture
- Eating normally
- Moving freely
- Maintaining steady weight
- Calm in behaviour
Comfort shows in both body and demeanour.
The Core Principle
The most accurate assessment tool is simple:
Your hand under the rug.
Not:
- The weather forecast
- The rug label
- Yard tradition
- Online charts
Observation beats assumption every time.
Correct rugging supports:
- Comfort
- Metabolic stability
- Skin health
- Weight maintenance
- Behavioural calm
A horse that is warm, dry and relaxed is correctly managed — regardless of what the thermometer says.
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Knowledge Hub: https://jsm-equestrian-supplies.co.uk/knowledge-hub/
Category: https://jsm-equestrian-supplies.co.uk/category/rugging-seasonal/
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