Shires Equestrian
The Shires range at a glance.
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Shires Rugs
Shires horse rugs fall into a few main groups: turnout rugs for out in the field, stable rugs for indoors, fleece and cooler rugs for drying off and travel, and fly rugs for summer. Within those, the fill weight — from no-fill "lite" up to 300g heavyweight — decides how warm the rug is. Just Horse Riders stocks around 90 Shires rugs across the Tempest, Highlander, Typhoon and Wessex ranges, with rugs from £23.93 for a fleece cooler up to £117 for a heavyweight turnout-and-neck set.
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Rug-buying advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed 12 July 2026.
In a hurry? Quick guide:
- Out in the field, mild/wet weather → lightweight turnout — try the Shires Typhoon Lite Turnout Rug (from £48.59)
- Typical UK winter turnout → 100g combo — Shires Tempest Original 100 Combo Turnout Rug (from £49.12)
- Cold, hard winters & clipped horses → heavyweight turnout + neck — Highlander Plus 200 T/O Rug & Neck Set (from £117)
- Drying off, travel & stable layering → Shires Tempest Original Fleece Rug (from £23.93)
Getting the right rug on your horse is one of the questions we're asked most here at Just Horse Riders. We've been a family-run equestrian retailer since 2010, and Shires is one of our best-selling rug brands — so we've put this guide together to explain the ranges, the fill weights, and how to measure, with our own honest picks for each job. You can browse the whole Shires brand range or the wider horse rugs collection any time.
What rugs are in the Shires range?
Shires splits its rugs by job. Use these to jump to the right type:
- Turnout rugs — waterproof, breathable rugs for out in the field, in weights from lite to 300g
- Stable rugs — non-waterproof rugs for indoor warmth, often with a cosy fleece or SupaFleece trim
- Fleece & cooler rugs — for drying a hot or wet horse, travelling, or layering under a turnout
- Fly rugs — mesh rugs (some waterproof, like the Tempest Fly) for summer insect protection
What Shires rug weight does my horse need?
"Weight" means the grams of fill (polyfill) inside the rug — the higher the number, the warmer it is. A rug that's too warm can make a horse sweat and lose condition, so match the weight to the weather and to how much coat your horse has. If you're unsure, your vet or an experienced yard manager can help you judge whether your horse needs rugging at all.
| Fill weight | Best for | Shires example |
|---|---|---|
| Lite / no fill (0g) | Rain protection in mild weather; summer turnout | Typhoon Lite; Highlander Original Lite |
| 50g (light) | Cool but not cold; clipped horses in spring/autumn | Tempest Original 50; Highlander Plus 50 |
| 100g (medium) | Typical UK winter days and nights | Tempest Original 100 Combo; Highlander Plus 100 |
| 200g (heavy) | Cold, wet winters; clipped or older horses | Typhoon 200; Highlander Plus 200 |
| 300g (extra heavy) | Hard frosts and fully clipped horses | Tempest Original 300 Stable |
| Fleece / cooler | Drying off after exercise; travel; stable layering | Tempest Original Fleece; Wessex Newmarket Fleece |
Many Shires turnout and stable rugs are WarmaRug compatible, so you can clip in a 100g or 200g liner to add warmth on the coldest nights rather than buying a separate heavier rug. It's a genuinely useful way to get more out of one outer.
Which Shires rug range is right for me?
All three main turnout ranges use Shires' waterproof, breathable ShireTex outer — the differences are mostly toughness and price. Here's how we'd frame the value honestly:
| Range | Where it sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoon | Entry / best value | Keeping costs down; spare or first turnout rug |
| Tempest Original / Plus | Core all-rounder | The everyday workhorse — the widest choice of weights and styles |
| Highlander Original / Plus | Toughest, higher denier | Hard-to-fit or boisterous horses; rough fields and hedges |
For most horses the Tempest range does everything you need at a sensible price. Step up to Highlander if your horse is tough on rugs or lives out in exposed fields; drop to Typhoon if you just want a reliable rug without paying for extras.
How do I measure my horse for a Shires rug?
Horse rugs are sized in feet and inches (for example 5'9", 6'0", 6'3"), and Shires rugs follow standard UK sizing. To measure, stand your horse square and run a soft tape from the centre of the chest, along the side, to the point of the buttock (the back edge of the hindquarters). Round up to the nearest 3" size if you fall between two. A combo rug with an integrated neck should match the same body size. If your horse is a tricky shape or between sizes, ask our team and we'll help you choose.
Which are the best Shires rugs?
These are the Shires rugs we reach for most often, all in stock as we last reviewed this page. Prices shown are the lowest in-stock size — see each product page for the full size and colour range:
- Best value fleece / cooler: Shires Tempest Original Fleece Rug — from £23.93. A do-everything fleece for drying off, travelling or layering under a turnout.
- Best lightweight turnout: Shires Typhoon Lite Turnout Rug — from £48.59. Waterproof rain protection for mild days at a great price.
- Best everyday winter turnout: Shires Tempest Original 100 Combo Turnout Rug — from £49.12. 100g fill with an integrated neck cover — our most-recommended all-rounder.
- Best tough lite + neck: Shires Highlander Original Lite T/O Rug & Neck — from £53.27. Higher-denier outer for horses that are hard on rugs.
- Best stable rug: Shires Tempest Plus 100 Stable Combo Rug — from £64.79. Warm 100g stable combo with a soft fleece trim for indoor nights.
- Best heavyweight turnout set: Highlander Plus 200 T/O Rug & Neck Set — from £117. Serious 200g warmth and a tough outer for the coldest, wettest turnout.
Prefer to compare the whole line-up? Browse all turnout rugs and stable rugs, or the full Shires range.
How do I look after a Shires rug?
A little care keeps a rug waterproof and warm for years. Brush off dry mud regularly, and wash and reproof only as needed, following the care label — over-washing or the wrong detergent strips the waterproof coating. Check straps, surcingles and leg loops for wear before each use, and store the rug clean and dry (a rug bag helps) over the off-season. If the waterproofing starts to let water through, a wash-in reproofer usually restores it.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Shires horse rugs cost?
At Just Horse Riders, in-stock Shires rugs start from £23.93 for a fleece cooler and around £48 for a waterproof lightweight turnout. Medium 100g combo turnouts sit around £49–£65, and heavyweight turnout-and-neck sets run up to about £117. Fleece, cooler and stable rugs are generally the most affordable.
What Shires rug weight does my horse need?
As a rough guide: no-fill "lite" rugs give rain protection in mild weather, 50g suits cool spring and autumn days, 100g covers typical UK winters, and 200–300g is for hard frosts or clipped horses. A horse's coat, age and whether it's clipped all change what it needs, so if you're unsure, ask your vet or an experienced yard manager rather than over-rugging.
What's the difference between Tempest, Highlander and Typhoon?
They share Shires' waterproof, breathable ShireTex outer but sit at different price points. Typhoon is the best-value entry range, Tempest is the core all-rounder with the widest choice of weights and styles, and Highlander uses a tougher, higher-denier outer for horses that are hard on their rugs or live out in exposed fields.
How do I measure my horse for a Shires rug?
Measure from the centre of your horse's chest, along the side of the body, to the point of the buttock. That length in feet and inches is your rug size (Shires rugs run in 3" increments, e.g. 6'0", 6'3"). If you're between sizes, round up. Combo rugs with a built-in neck use the same body measurement.
Are Shires rugs waterproof?
Shires turnout rugs (Tempest, Highlander and Typhoon) use a waterproof, breathable ShireTex outer designed for the field. Stable rugs, fleece rugs and coolers are not waterproof — they're for indoor warmth, drying off and travel. Most fly rugs are mesh, though some like the Tempest Waterproof Fly Rug add rain protection. Check the product page for each rug's rating.
Can I return a Shires rug if it doesn't fit?
Yes — rugs can be tricky to size first time, so all Shires rugs from Just Horse Riders come with our 90-day returns policy. Try the rug over a clean coat or a thin sheet, keep it clean and unworn outdoors, and you can swap the size if you need to.
Got a question we haven't covered? Tap the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen and one of the team will come back to you, usually within a few minutes during opening hours.