6 of the best drying rugs for hassle-free bathing

The best drying rugs for horses really can significantly reduce drying time – not only saving you time waiting a round, but returning your horse to a comfortable state more quickly.

While you could use one of the best cooler rugs to dry a wet horse, drying rugs are specifically designed to dry with speed and so have excellent wicking properties.

Drying rugs can be used any time of the year. Ideal for use after bathing, they can also be used to wick away sweat after exercise, travelling or as an under rug. Whether you’re hoping to save time waiting for your horse to dry off after a bath or make him more comfortable when cooling down after exercise, a drying rug could be the answer.

Best drying rugs for horses

DriRug

Sizes: XS (4ft9in – 5ft), S (5ft3 – 5ft6in), M (5ft9 – 6ft), L (6ft3 – 6ft6in) or XL (6ft9in – 7ft)
Colours: Navy or grey

Reasons to buy:

• Versatile rug
• Super absorbent material

Reasons to avoid:

• High price point, the quality will last you for many years to come

This is the most expensive rug featured in this guide, but if your budget allows you won’t be disappointed – it’s pretty much the gold standard for drying rugs.

Made from a super-absorbent lightweight fabric, its quick-wicking action absorbs moisture fast to help dry your horse quickly and comfortably. It not only dries your horse when he gets wet, but it will wick away sweat during travelling, after exercise and can be used as an under-rug.

Mackey Liffey Dry Rug

Sizes: S (5ft3in – 5ft9in), M (6ft – 6ft6in) or L (6ft9in – 7ft3in)
Colours: Navy

Reasons to buy:

• Detachable neck
• Machine washable
• Affordable price

Reasons to avoid:

• If you are looking for a fixed neck rug

Made from a stay-dry fabric to wick away moisture, this drying rug is great value. It features a detachable high neck for full coverage, double front T-bar fastenings, touch-tape breast strap attachments and adjustable surcingles. It is machine washable and can be used as a sweat or travel rug.

Horseware Rambo Dry Rug Supreme

Sizes: S (5ft3in – 5ft9in), M (6ft – 6ft6in) or L (6ft9in – 7ft3in)
Colours: Navy

Reasons to buy:

• Hide-away hood
• Material leaves a high gloss finish to your horses coat
• Adjustable multi fit – great if you have more than one horse

Reasons to avoid:

• Expensive, but great investment

Manufactured from a super lightweight brushed polyester, offering the same fantastic features as the original Horseware Rambo Dry Rug. The hide-away hood, which is a smart feature not seen in any other drying rugs, means the hood can be rolled down into the hideaway pocket when you don’t need it.

The rug absorbs moisture to leave a high gloss and a smooth finish and prevents your stable rugs becoming damp and wet. It features a T-bar front closure and elasticated cross surcingles for a secure fit.

LeMieux Arika DryEase Rug

Sizes: 5ft6in–7ft
Colours: Navy

Reasons to buy:

• Material prevents debris from sticking
• Technical material to speed up drying time

Reasons to avoid:

• If you want a detachable neck

This rug is like a giant towel for your horse. Constructed from quick-drying bonded microfibre polyester inner fabric, with a mesh outer layer to promote evaporation and prevents shavings and debris from sticking, it combines the best technical properties of both materials to speed up drying times.

It has an integrated neck with an elasticated poll to offer a snug fit, a single T-bar front closure and adjustable surcingle. It also comes in a handy mesh drawstring bag.

Shires Tempest Original Ultra Drying Rug

Sizes: 5ft–7ft
Colours: Navy

Reasons to buy:

• A great value drying rug
• Machine washable

Reasons to avoid:

• No neck cover

Soft and highly absorbent, the Ultra Drying rug from Shires takes the work out of drying your horse. Made from a deep pile fleece, it provides thermoregulated warmth while remaining breathable to prevent overheating. It features front T-bar fixings and adjustable surcingles.

It can also be used as a cooler or for travelling, and is machine washable.

Kentucky Horsewear Towel Rug

Sizes: M (5ft9in–6ft3in) or L (6ft6in–7ft)
Colours: Black

Reasons to buy:

• Detachable hood
• Highly absorbent material

Reasons to avoid:

• This fabric attracts and absorbs bedding and debris making it hard to clean so only use when the horse is tied up

This towel rug from Kentucky Horsewear made from a lightweight and super-absorbent microfibre towel material. It’s extremely absorbent, soaking up sweat and moisture off your horse’s body, ideal for use after training and bathing.

It features a detachable hood, which is attached with a covered full-length zip, leather piping and elegant front closures.

What is the best rug to dry a wet horse?

The best drying rugs are crafted from a technical, absorbent, and lightweight material — qualities shared by all the rugs featured in this guide. These rugs are specifically engineered with a fast-wicking action to draw moisture away from your horse’s coat, significantly speeding up the drying process.

How to dry a horse quickly

The fastest way to dry a horse is with a solarium if you’re lucky enough to have access to one. If not, you can use one of the towel drying rugs featured in this guide; the technical materials used to design these rugs speed up drying times.

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