Horse owners around the world often struggle to choose the right rug for their horse and the weather. The challenge lies in the fact that a horse usually wears the same rug all day, until the caretaker returns to the stable. Traditional rugs have a fixed fill weight, so they cannot adapt to changing temperatures. As a result, the horse may overheat at one point and get chilled at another – sometimes several times in a single day.
That’s why Winderen created the Winderen Thermoactive line of rugs. They actively regulate temperature by absorbing, storing, and releasing heat precisely when your horse needs it.
Thermoactive rugs come in two Zoom variants: winter (equivalent to 100–350 g fill) and transitional (50–200 g).
Benefits for the horse
- Stable body temperature regardless of the weather – even with major fluctuations.
- Thermal comfort during activity – helps prevent sweating even during intensive sessions on a horse walker.
- Improved overall condition – consistent thermal comfort supports immune function and your horse’s well-being.
- Reduced risk of rubbing – thanks to vegan-fur inserts at key areas such as the shoulders and withers.
Benefits for the rider
- One rug that replaces many – no more changing rugs depending on the weather. From now on, one rug for the whole season.
- Durability of materials – Climashield® insulation combined with 1680D Ballistic Nylon ensures the rug retains its properties despite intensive use and repeated washing.
- Real savings of time and money – no need to buy, wash, and store multiple rugs of different fills.
- Less gear to store and transport – saving space in the stable.
Winderen Thermoactive is the first and only rug line in the world featuring patented technology from the German company Outlast®. This advanced solution uses phase-change materials – substances capable of storing and releasing heat multiple times as they shift state – to maintain optimal body temperature.
Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA to provide astronauts with clothing able to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations in space.
Phase-change materials adjust depending on the horse’s skin temperature. When it rises, they absorb excess heat, maintaining comfort without overheating. When it drops, they release stored warmth, preventing chilling.
These materials are permanently embedded in the Thermocules® polymer coating, which retains its properties even after repeated washing.
Additionally, Winderen Thermoactive rugs help maintain a healthy skin microclimate. The technology not only regulates temperature but also helps prevent moisture buildup on the skin. This means your horse won’t sweat under the rug – even during a long exercise in the horse walker. With Outlast® in Winderen Thermoactive rugs, your horse will always feel not too hot, not too cold – just right. It is currently the most proven outer fabric ever available in horse rugs.
From autumn through winter to spring – across the full rugging season – Winderen conducted detailed tests of the rug’s thermoregulatory performance.
They divided horses into two groups, living in identical stable and weather conditions with the same daily activity. The only difference: one group wore Winderen Thermoactive rugs, while the other wore high-quality rugs from another well-known manufacturer.
Winderen placed Orscana sensors, developed by the French company Arioneo, under all the rugs, recording temperature continuously, 24 hours a day.
The results exceeded the expectations!
During 7 months of testing (October to April), horses wearing Winderen Thermoactive Zoom 100–350 experienced continuous thermal comfort in outdoor temperatures ranging from –15°C to +17°C, regardless of activity level.
At the same time, horses in traditional rugs needed frequent rug changes with different fill weights – which still did not guarantee optimal comfort.
In Winderen Thermoactive rugs, we use Climashield® insulation, developed by an American company and known for outstanding resistance to compression.
Whereas standard rugs often use chopped synthetic fibers, Climashield® uses continuous fibers, ensuring superior durability and insulation.
Climashield® resists compression, retains its loft and insulation even when crushed, and dries quickly after getting wet. Most importantly, it does not lose its valuable properties even after repeated washing, which ensures long-lasting performance of the rug.
Originally developed for military use, 1680D Ballistic Nylon was designed to withstand extreme conditions and deliver maximum resistance to damage. In Winderen Thermoactive rugs, it serves as the outer fabric, combining outstanding tear and abrasion resistance with lightness and breathability.
The dense weave increases resistance to daily stable use, significantly enhancing durability.
It is currently the most proven outer fabric available in horse rugs.
Protection against rubs. Rubbing is a common issue. That’s why they’ve added soft vegan-fur inserts at the withers and shoulders – positioned deep enough to protect the entire sensitive area, even in motion.
Secure fasteningIn the winter Winderen Thermoactive Zoom 100–350 version, we use military-grade, durable, and secure fastenings. They can be opened and closed effortlessly with one hand, while the mechanism prevents the horse from undoing the chest or belly straps.
Supporting comfort and immune health. Overheating, along with chilling, is one of the most common causes of discomfort in horses. It not only leads to sweating but can also compromise immune function over time. Choosing the right Winderen Thermoactive rug is a simple way to keep your horse comfortable – without the risk of negative consequences.
Saving space. We understand how challenging it can be to store multiple rugs – especially if you have more than one horse. Thermoactive rugs act as a thermal buffer, effectively replacing several rugs of different fills.
Less clutter, more space!
Environmentally friendly. One Winderen Thermoactive rug replaces several rugs of different fill weights. This reduces material use and waste. And because our rugs are built to last, they retain their properties for many seasons – say goodbye to seasonal rug replacements.
Silicone tail strap. Every Thermoactive rug comes with a practical silicone-covered tail strap. It can be unclipped in seconds, making it easy to keep the tail area clean. Simply rinse under running water and dry – quick and simple.
Care and maintenance. All rugs from the Thermoactive line, thanks to their high-quality insulation, retain their properties even after repeated washing. This makes them an extremely convenient choice for everyday care—they can be safely machine-washed at 30°C.
Complete the set with a hoodFor full-body thermal protection, you can pair your Winderen Thermoactive rug with a matching hood. For Zoom 100–350, choose the Thermoactive hood. For Zoom 50–200, you can choose either the Thermo Clear hood or the Softshell Thermo Clear hood.
Thanks to their unique temperature-regulating properties, when choosing a rug from the Thermoactive line, you don’t need to consider whether your horse is currently clipped – the rug will adjust to your horse’s body temperature. Just bear in mind the external temperature.
All Winderen rugs are equipped with an exceptionally wide adjustment system, allowing them to fit horses that are up to 5 cm larger or smaller than the nominal size.
Composition
75% Polyester
25% Cotton
Washing Instructions
- machine wash at 30°C without using fabric softeners, on a delicate cycle with a mild detergent
- before washing, fasten the Velcro straps on the rug
- wash with similar colours
- do not wash with other items that may damage the product
- do not bleach
- iron at low temperature
- do not dry clean
- do not tumble dry