After riding
Sweat rugs
You put a sweat rug on your horse after riding, after washing or at a show. It absorbs moisture from the coat and wicks it outwards while the coat dries. At Lepona you will find sweat rugs made of fleece, jersey, cotton waffle fabric and spacer fabric, with or without cross surcingles and neck piece, from Shetland pony to draught horse, from brands including Eskadron, Busse and Kavalkade. We are happy to advise you by phone, WhatsApp or video.
Which sweat rug suits you and your horse?
A sweat rug is a light, breathable rug for a warm or wet horse. It is used after training, after hosing down or during breaks at a show and is taken off as soon as the coat is dry. It is not meant as a rug for the night; that is what stable rugs are for.
Material: fleece, jersey, waffle fabric or spacer
- Fleece: the classic. Soft, light and available in many weights and colours. Thicker fleece is also suitable for cool days.
- Jersey: smoother and lighter than fleece, picks up less hair and straw and looks particularly neat at shows.
- Cotton and waffle fabric: light and airy, more for the warm season.
- Spacer fabric (3D/4D): a spacer fabric with an open structure that leaves air between coat and rug.
Cut and features
Cross surcingles under the belly keep the rug in place when leading and in the stable. Models without cross surcingles are often worn with a tail cord and are quick to put on. A neck piece also covers the neck. For exercise and warm-up rugs that you use while riding, have a look at the exercise sheets.
Using a sweat rug correctly
Put the rug on when your horse is still warm or wet after work and walk it dry. Take the rug off as soon as the coat is dry and let the rug itself dry before using it again. If the rug itself gets wet, swap it for a dry one. Fleece quickly collects hair: brushing it out or washing it regularly according to the care instructions keeps the rug clean.
The right size
With many brands the rug size corresponds to the back length in centimetres, measured from in front of the withers to the root of the tail. British and Irish brands often use the total length in feet and inches. Sweat rugs usually fit a little more loosely than turnout rugs; if you are between two sizes, compare the manufacturer's size chart. You can find more about all types of rugs under horse rugs.
Sweat rugs from well-known brands
With us you will find sweat rugs from Eskadron, Busse, Kavalkade, Waldhausen, Kentucky Horsewear, QHP and other manufacturers.
You put a sweat rug on after riding, after washing or at a show while the coat is still wet. It absorbs moisture and wicks it outwards. As soon as the coat is dry, you take it off again.
Fleece is soft and available in many weights. Jersey is smoother and lighter, picks up less hair and looks neater at shows. For warm days there are also cotton, waffle fabric and spacer fabric.
Only until the coat is dry. Check with your hand under the rug. If the rug itself becomes damp, swap it for a dry one. As a rug for the night, a stable rug is the better choice.
Briefly, yes, for example until the horse is dry, ideally with cross surcingles so that nothing slips. It is not meant for overnight use, because it can stay damp and is not made for that.
Measure the back length from in front of the withers to the root of the tail and compare it with the manufacturer's size chart. British and Irish brands often state the total length in feet and inches.
Brush out hair and dirt first and close all Velcro fastenings. Wash the rug according to the manufacturer's care instructions, usually with a mild detergent and without fabric softener, and let it air dry.