To Rug or not to Rug???

Okay, so I have an 18 yr old Arab gelding who up until now has been doing pretty well in the weather I've been having (rain, wind, storms ect). Where I am it's the middle of winter. When I went out to feed him this afternoon I found him shivering so I chucked a medium rug on him. (I bought it to keep the rain off, he's a litttle prone to rainscald). It was about 13 degrees Celsius. I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to rugging so I'm asking for advice, should I keep him rugged in the medium rug I have? Should I get a heavier one as it gets colder? Should I just leave him?

He's a live out horse, I don't have access to shelter, and he has 3 cows as paddock buddies.

Any advice would be appreciated thanks :)

If he's content with the medium rug, let him in it. If he continues to shiver, I would look into a heavier weight.

If he's comfortable with the blanket to begin with, he'll keep it on. Does it fit him well? If it doesn't, it can do just as much harm as good.

Yeah, it seems to fit him fine, the tail flap rests just above the tail, and the neck straps do up on the middle hole when the front bit has been pulled forwards in front of the withers, and he can put his head down to graze comfortably and move without it restricting him

Sounds good! Just watching and see if he acts like he's still cold. I would looking into some heavy blankets just in case.

Okay, thanks for the help, its been really helpful. :)

He he wet under the rug still? If so it will keep him cold rather than warm
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No, he isn't wet. He's actually absurdly dry under it compared to his neck which is drenched. I find the contrast funny hehe. I was thinking about getting a combo, but I decided against it, cause I'm a bit worried about it slipping or getting caught on a branch or something.

Good! Glad he is dry and happy now:)
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