"What weight turnout rug do I need?" is the question every owner asks when the nights start drawing in, and the honest answer is that it depends. Temperature matters most, but so do your horse's clip, coat, age, breed and body condition. This guide explains what fill weight actually means, how 0g, 50g, 100g, 200g and 300g rugs compare, and gives you a temperature chart and a simple hand-check to make sure you've got it right.
New to rugs altogether? Start with our guide to what a turnout rug is and how it differs from other rugs, then come back here to choose the weight.
The quick answer: most unclipped, healthy horses are comfortable in a 0g–100g turnout rug until temperatures fall below about 4°C, move up to 200g between roughly 0°C and 4°C, and only need a 300g rug when it is below freezing. Clipped, older, thin or fine-coated horses usually need one step heavier. Wet and windy days feel colder than the thermometer says, so go up a step then too.
In this guide
What Fill Weight Means (Grams)
The number on a turnout rug, whether it's 0g, 100g or 300g, tells you how much insulating fill is packed into the rug. It is measured in grams of polyester fibre per square metre, so a 200g rug holds twice as much insulation as a 100g rug. More fill traps more body heat, which makes the rug warmer.
Fill weight is a useful guide, but it isn't the whole story. Three other things change how warm a rug feels on the horse:
- Lining and outer fabric: a fleece or brushed lining adds warmth without extra fill, while a heavy-duty outer such as 1200D ripstop adds durability rather than insulation.
- Neck cover and belly wrap: a combo neck or a deep belly flap closes the gaps where heat escapes. Our guide to turnout rug neck types explains when each is worth having.
- Fit: a rug that gaps at the shoulder or slips back loses heat and can rub, however heavy the fill. See how to measure your horse for a rug before you buy.
Brands vary slightly, so if you are between two weights, choose the lighter rug and add a layer, because it is easier to add warmth than to cool down an overheated horse.
Lightweight, Medium and Heavyweight Explained
Turnout rugs are usually grouped into three bands. Lightweight covers 0g to 100g, medium covers roughly 150g to 250g, and heavyweight starts at 300g. Here is what each common weight is best for.
0g: the waterproof sheet
A 0g rug has no fill at all. It is a waterproof, breathable shell that keeps rain, wind and mud off your horse without adding warmth. It suits mild, wet days, spring and autumn showers, and horses with a thick natural coat. It also works as the outer layer over a fleece or a liner when you want to build warmth in stages.
50g: the mild-weather rug
A 50g rug adds just enough insulation to take the edge off a damp, cool day. It is the go-to choice for milder weather in early autumn and late spring, and for horses that run warm. If you are wondering where to buy 50g turnout rugs, you'll find a range of weights, including 50g options, in our turnout rug collection.
100g: the all-rounder for chilly days
A 100g rug is the weight owners reach for when the first proper chill arrives. It is warm enough for cold, dry days and cool nights without being so heavy that a horse overheats if the sun comes out. It's a sensible choice for many unclipped horses in autumn and for lightly clipped horses in mild winter spells.
200g: the true medium weight
If you've ever asked "what weight is a medium weight turnout rug?", this is the usual answer. Medium turnout rugs sit between about 150g and 250g, and 200g is the most common choice. It handles most of a typical UK winter for horses that need rugging, particularly clipped horses, and it pairs well with a neck cover when the temperature drops further.
300g and over: the heavyweight
A 300g rug is built for freezing conditions, strong winds and horses that struggle to keep warm. It's best reserved for hard frosts, for clipped, elderly or thin horses, and for horses with little or no shelter. Because it is so warm, it is also the weight most likely to cause sweating on a mild, sunny day, so check it often.
When should you use a 100g turnout rug, and how warm is it?
Use a 100g rug when temperatures are in the mid single digits, when the weather is cool and damp rather than freezing, or when you want a light winter option for a horse that is only partly clipped. As a rule of thumb, 100g is warm enough for an unclipped horse down to about 4°C and for a clipped horse from roughly 8°C to 12°C. Below that, step up to a 200g rug.
Ready to choose? Browse our full range of turnout rugs in lightweight, medium and heavyweight fills.
Turnout Rug Weight Temperature Chart
Use this chart as your starting point. The temperatures are approximate and assume a healthy adult horse in reasonable condition with access to forage. Clipped horses lose their natural insulation, so they sit about one band warmer than unclipped horses.
| Fill weight | Category | Unclipped horse | Clipped horse | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0g | Lightweight | Above 10°C | Above 15°C | Rain, wind and mud protection only |
| 50g | Lightweight | 7–10°C | 12–15°C | Cool, damp days and mild nights |
| 100g | Light to medium | 4–7°C | 8–12°C | First chills of autumn, cold dry days |
| 200g | Medium | 0–4°C | 4–8°C | Most of winter, clipped horses |
| 300g+ | Heavyweight | Below 0°C | Below 4°C | Hard frosts, thin or elderly horses, exposed fields |
Approximate guide only. Always check your individual horse, and adjust for weather, shelter and condition.
Adjusting the chart for real weather
- Wind and rain: a cold, wet, windy day feels much colder than the temperature suggests. Go up one band, or add a neck cover.
- Sun: a bright day can warm a horse quickly under a heavy rug. Go down a band, or swap before turnout if the forecast improves.
- Shelter: a field with good hedges or a field shelter lets a horse manage with a lighter rug than an open, exposed paddock.
Matching Weight to Your Horse
The chart gives you the weather side of the answer. Now adjust for the horse standing in the rug.
Clip type
The more coat you've removed, the more warmth you need to put back. A full clip usually needs a rug a full band heavier than the chart for an unclipped horse, often with a neck cover. A trace, blanket or hunter clip leaves some coat on the neck and body, so you can often drop down a band. An unclipped horse with a full winter coat generally needs the least. See our guide to fitting and caring for turnout rugs for how to keep a rug working season after season.
Age
Youngsters and older horses regulate their temperature less efficiently. Elderly horses often lose muscle and fat, and youngsters burn energy fast. Both usually do better a step heavier than the chart suggests, with closer checking.
Breed and coat type
Hardy natives such as Highlands, Exmoors, Shetlands and many cobs grow thick, weatherproof winter coats and may need only a lightweight rug, or none at all, when healthy and well fed. Thoroughbreds, part-breds, Arabs and other fine-skinned types feel the cold sooner, and usually need to start rugging earlier and go heavier.
Body condition
A horse in good condition carries natural insulation in the form of body fat. A thin horse, or a poor doer, has far less, and burns calories to keep warm instead of maintaining weight. A slightly heavier rug can help them hold condition, while a good doer can overheat easily and often needs the lightest option that works.
Living conditions
A horse out 24/7 on an open hillside has very different needs from one turned out for a few hours and stabled at night. If your horse comes in at night, remember that a stable rug is better indoors, and that our turnout vs stable rug comparison covers when to swap.
Signs Your Horse Is Too Hot or Too Cold
No chart replaces checking the horse. Get into the habit of feeling under the rug at least once a day, and more often when the weather changes. Slide a hand under the rug at the shoulder, behind the elbow and along the flank.
Signs your horse is too hot
- Damp or sweaty patches under the rug, especially at the shoulders, chest and flanks
- Hair that feels wet, flattened or looks "dried on" with sweat marks
- Heavy breathing or restlessness when standing still
- A horse that stands away from the herd or seeks shade in cool weather
If your horse is hot, swap to a lighter rug straight away. Overheating is just as much a welfare issue as being cold, and a sweaty horse can then chill when the sweat cools.
Signs your horse is too cold
- Shivering, or a hunched posture with the tail tucked in tightly
- Skin that feels cold to the touch under the rug, rather than warm and dry
- Standing with their back to the wind, huddled in a corner or against a hedge
- Gradual weight loss over several weeks, even with enough forage
Ears and legs are naturally cooler, so they are not a reliable guide. Check the body under the rug instead. If your horse is cold, move up a weight, add a neck cover or provide more shelter and forage. If shivering continues after you've adjusted, speak to your vet.
The ideal feel: warm and dry under the rug, with no sweating and no shivering. If that's what you find, you've picked the right weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weight turnout rug do I need?
It depends on the temperature, your horse's clip and coat, age, breed and condition. As a starting point, an unclipped, healthy horse needs a 0g–100g rug until it falls below about 4°C, a 200g rug between 0°C and 4°C, and a 300g rug below freezing. Clipped, older or thin horses usually need one step heavier. Use the chart above, then check your horse under the rug.
What weight is a medium turnout rug?
A medium turnout rug typically has between 150g and 250g of fill, and 200g is the most common medium weight. Some brands also describe a 100g rug as light-to-medium.
When should I use a 100g turnout rug?
Use a 100g rug on cool, damp or chilly days, typically when the temperature is in the mid single digits for an unclipped horse. It is also a good option for a lightly clipped horse in mild winter weather, and as a lighter step between a 50g and a 200g rug.
How warm is a 100g fill turnout rug?
A 100g rug is a light-to-medium rug. It is generally warm enough for an unclipped horse down to about 4°C, and for a clipped horse in roughly 8–12°C weather. Below that, move up to 200g.
Where can I buy 50g turnout rugs?
You can browse 50g turnout rugs and other fill weights in our turnout rug collection. Check the fill weight in each product title and measure your horse first so you order the right size.
Find the right weight for your horse. Shop our turnout rug collection, or read our guide to what a turnout rug is if you're still getting started.
For a specific heavyweight option, see the Valiance 1200 Denier waterproof turnout winter combo rug, or browse the full rug collection.