Premier Equine / Winter riding guide Match the sheet to the ride. Rain protection, fleece warmth and the right cut. Choose an exercise sheet around your horse, your tack and the conditions ahead. Compare the PE designs Vellus Fleece Exercise Sheet in Navy/White, shown fitted around the saddle. In this guideStart hereCompare designsChoose the cutSizing and fitYour riding routineQuestions The useful starting point How do you choose a horse exercise sheet? Choose the weather protection and insulation first. Then check the cut and how it fits with your saddle. An exercise sheet covers the horses hindquarters during exercise. Whether your horse benefits from one depends on their coat and clipping, the conditions and the work you plan to do. For wet rides, look for a stated waterproof construction. For cooler, dry conditions, consider fleece where extra warmth is appropriate. Review the choice as your horse warms up. Four checks before you choose Does your horse need extra coverage?Is rain protection part of the job?Which cut works with your tack?Can you check and adjust it during work? 01 / Compare the designsWhich PE exercise sheet suits your ride? A waterproof outer, a fleece fabric and a quarter-sheet cut describe different features. Compare the complete design, including its coverage and attachments. Waterproof outer / Bonded liningStratus Exercise Sheet The Stratus combines a 1200D diamond-ripstop outer with a bonded fleece lining. Its waterproof, breathable construction makes it an option when rain protection and added warmth are both needed. It fits around the saddle and can sit over or under the saddle flaps. A double-locking Velcro closure and clip-on tail strap secure the design; reflective detailing runs along the sides and tail flap. Consider forCold or wet hacking and schooling, where your horse needs the coverage. Explore Stratus Polar fleece / Around-saddle cutVellus Exercise Sheet Made from 520g anti-pilling polar fleece, the Vellus Exercise Sheet provides an insulating layer for cooler conditions. Its 50cm saddle cut-out allows it to sit around most saddle shapes. A pull tab helps you handle the double-locking Velcro closure, while an adjustable clip-on tail strap adds stability. This is a fleece design; choose a model with a stated waterproof outer when rain protection is required. Consider forDry warm-ups, cool-downs and cooler-weather riding when extra warmth is appropriate. Explore Vellus Polar fleece / Cut-away shapeVellus Quarter Sheet The Vellus Quarter Sheet uses the same specified 520g anti-pilling polar fleece, with a cut-away shape that reduces fabric beneath the riders leg. Its adjustable fastening straps attach via the saddles girth straps or stirrup leather keepers. It can also be secured to a lunging roller. Check the instructions for your exact tack arrangement. Consider forRidden work or lunging where this cut and attachment arrangement suit your set-up. Explore the quarter sheet Another option for hackingReflective Exercise Sheet This design pairs a waterproof, breathable 600D polyester outer with a bonded polar-fleece lining. Fluorescent yellow fabric, 3M reflective panels and reflective piping add a visibility feature to its weather protection. Its wrap-around shape fastens with double-locking Velcro and an adjustable clip-on tail strap. For the wider choice of horse and rider visibility equipment, read our reflective riding equipment guide. View the Reflective Exercise Sheet 02 / Fabric and shapeExercise sheet or quarter sheet: what changes? The names are sometimes used interchangeably. Look at the actual cut and fastening system. Within the Vellus range, the Exercise Sheet sits around the saddle, while the Quarter Sheet has cut-away shaping and attachment straps. For either design, check the space around your saddle and beneath your leg. Fabric should sit smoothly without interfering with your normal position or the operation of your tack. The Vellus Quarter Sheet uses adjustable fastening straps. Check where they attach on your own tack. A waterproof outer can be combined with a fleece lining, as on the Reflective Exercise Sheet. Read the whole specification. Compare the stated fabric, lining and intended use. A fleece specification and the fill weight of a turnout rug describe different constructions, so matching gram figures alone will not tell you how two products will feel in use. 03 / Measure, then fitHow do you measure for a PE exercise sheet? Use the guide linked to the exact product you are buying. PEs current guide for the Stratus, Vellus Exercise Sheet and Reflective Exercise Sheet uses two measurements: A / Sheet lengthMeasure from the wither to the start of the tail, following the PE guide. B / Back lengthMeasure from behind the saddle to the tail. Check this with the saddle you intend to use. PE exercise-sheet measurements. All figures are approximate and given in centimetres. SizeSheet length ABack length B M140cm78cmL149cm86cmXL157cm92cm Open the PE exercise-sheet measurement diagram and size guide (PDF). Buying the Vellus Quarter Sheet? It has a different cut and its own size options. Use the guidance for that product. If you are unsure, contact PE with your horses measurements and tack details before ordering. Check the coverageTry the sheet with the intended saddle. Check that the quarters are covered and the fabric sits evenly. Use the correct attachmentsFollow the instructions for that model. Check the closure, fastening straps and any tail strap before use. Check saddle and leg clearanceMake sure the cut works around your saddle and leaves your normal leg position clear. Recheck after movementCheck for shifting, pulling or bunching after your horse moves. Adjust the fit before continuing. For an independent view of the Stratus in use, see Your Horses exercise-sheet comparison, published on 11 October 2026. It includes the testers observations on fit and weather protection. 04 / Plan around the workThree everyday riding situations A wet hackIf your horse needs coverage in rain, compare the waterproof Stratus and Reflective designs. Include the lining, fit and horses workload in the decision. A dry schooling sessionWhere additional warmth is appropriate, compare the Vellus cuts for the warm-up. Reassess the need for coverage as your horse works harder. Ridden work and lungingThe Vellus Quarter Sheet can attach to a saddle or lunging roller. Check each attachment arrangement separately when moving between the two. Review during the rideCheck your horses comfort as conditions and effort change. Sweating beneath the sheet or signs of excessive warmth mean the choice needs reassessing. Avoid choosing coverage from the air temperature alone. Care between ridesThe featured PE products specify machine washing at 30C and natural drying. Follow your own care label, allow the sheet to dry fully and check its fastenings before the next use. 05 / Before you chooseHorse exercise sheet questions Are fleece exercise sheets waterproof?Check the stated construction. The Vellus designs featured here are polar-fleece sheets. For rain protection, choose a sheet with a specified waterproof outer, such as Stratus or the Reflective Exercise Sheet. Can I use my horses turnout rug or liner for riding?Choose a sheet designed for exercise and suitable for your tack. Turnout rugs and liners have different cuts and fastening arrangements. Our horse rug liner guide explains layering under compatible outer rugs. Should an exercise sheet stay on for the whole ride?Review the horse, conditions and workload throughout the session. Coverage that suits the start of a ride may need adjusting or removing as your horse warms up. Can I use a Vellus Quarter Sheet for lunging?Yes. The Vellus Quarter Sheet is designed to attach to a lunging roller as well as suitable saddle attachments. Follow the product instructions and check that it is secure and correctly positioned before work. When would I choose a cooler rug instead?A cooler is designed for post-exercise moisture management where the horse needs coverage while drying. Choose around the horses condition and the setting. Explore PE horse cooler rugs for those uses. Choose around your horseFind the right sheet for your routine.Compare the fabric and cut, check the measurements and choose the coverage your horse needs. For fitting help, call 01469 532279. Explore exercise sheets Product details and measurements checked on 26 October 2026 against current PE specifications and the linked size guide. For general rugging guidance, see the British Horse Society. Always follow the instructions for your exact product.