How to ensure maximum comfort for a rugged horse?
Frequent temperature fluctuations, the need to ventilate stables, or taking horses outdoors make it impossible to provide continuous thermal comfort when the horse wears a rug with fixed parameters throughout the day.
*Statistics are from an article published in the January-February 2023 issue of the Australian Veterinary Journal.
Not Too Warm, Not Too Cold, Just Right!
A potential solution to this problem could be continuous monitoring of the horse’s body temperature and its environment. This would allow for timely adjustments to the rug's weight based on weather conditions and the horse’s current activity levels.
Unfortunately, this is a highly labour-intensive solution that requires constant presence in the stable, which very few riders can afford. After years of working with horses, we have faced this very problem ourselves.
We realised that a key factor in improving the comfort of a rugged horse is the creation of a rug that dynamically adjusts to the current ambient temperature and the horse’s activity.
During our intensive search for an effective solution, we came across the German material manufacturer Outlast®. This company developed a technology that perfectly matched our design goals.
How Does Outlast® Technology Work?
Outlast® is a dynamic temperature regulation technology originally developed for NASA to produce gloves for astronauts. These gloves must withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from -180°C (-292°F) to +100°C (212°F), encountered in space.
Outlast® technology uses phase change materials, substances that can repeatedly store and release heat as they change their physical state.
This process can be likened to the way ice cools a drink when it melts, or how a hot water bottle releases heat to warm its surroundings.
Outlast® phase change materials work in the same way but are enclosed and protected within a durable polymer shell called Thermocules.
The phase change materials adjust their state depending on the horse’s skin temperature. When it gets too high, they absorb heat, maintaining thermal comfort without overheating. When the temperature drops, they release heat, preventing the horse from getting too cold.
The Thermocules shell is permanently integrated into the fabric fibres. It can absorb, store, and release excess heat. Importantly, it retains its properties even after multiple washes.
Winderen Thermoactive rugs also help maintain the correct microclimate for the horse's skin. The technology not only actively regulates temperature but also prevents moisture build-up on the skin.
As a result, the Winderen Thermoactive rug prevents the horse from sweating, even during an intense walk in a horse walker, positively affecting its overall well-being.
Unchanged Properties Even After Multiple Washes
We are aware that rugs often lose volume after frequent washing. Additionally, over time, older rugs tend to lose their original qualities and no longer effectively protect against the cold. This happens due to the compression of the filling, which traditionally consists of cut synthetic fibres.
In Winderen Thermoactive rugs, we use a filling from the American company Climashield, which is extremely resistant to compression. This material has excellent insulating properties, effectively retaining heat inside to protect against the cold.
This filling is exceptionally durable because it is made from continuous fibres, which are much more resilient than the short fibres typically used.
Climashield does not compress. It maintains its volume and insulation even after being crushed, and after contact with water, it dries quickly. Importantly, it retains its valuable properties even after multiple washes, contributing to the rug’s long lifespan.
What is the Ideal Temperature Under a Horse Rug?
This question has puzzled many researchers, including Carolyn Hammer and Mattia Gunkelman from North Dakota State University. For a long time, they conducted extensive studies to determine the optimal skin surface temperature for a horse under a rug.
Their results, published in the prestigious Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, show that the ideal skin surface temperature for a horse is around 30°C / 86°F, regardless of the weather conditions outside.
It is worth noting that heat stress is a significant factor that reduces a horse’s well-being, leading to general weakening of the body.
A Thermoactive Rug that Dynamically Regulates Temperature
The creators of Outlast® technology conducted their research solely on humans. We decided to develop the first prototypes of the Winderen Thermoactive rug and test them in stable conditions on our own horses to see if this technology would be just as effective. The results exceeded our expectations.
Throughout the rugging period (from autumn to spring), we measured the temperature under the rug using Orscana sensors. Orscana, developed by the French company Arioneo, is a device for monitoring the temperature of a horse under its rug. We then compared the temperatures of horses wearing Winderen Thermoactive rugs with a control group of horses wearing high-quality rugs from another well-known manufacturer.
For 24 hours a day, the sensors monitored and recorded data on the temperature under the rug and the activity of the horses being tested.
This allowed us to compare their thermal comfort in identical stable, weather, and activity conditions.
You can learn more about how we tested Winderen Thermoactive rugs in practice here.
Just one rug, yet full comfort – without constant changing
Winderen Thermoactive Rug with Outlast® Technology during winter
Winderen Thermoactive Rug with Outlast® Technology during spring
- the green color indicates the thermal comfort zone for horses
- the red color indicates too high a temperature (overheating)
- the blue color indicates too low a temperature (cooling)
The data on the graphs show a typical day during the winter season, and another during the spring season.
You can now order a rug from the Winderen Thermoactive line and say goodbye to the hassle of constantly changing your horse’s rug. Your horse’s comfort and health are at stake!