Can I waterproof my sweet itch rug?

AmieeT

AmieeT

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Or am I being daft?

I can't seem to find any that are waterproof- after today (weather forecast said rain all day, put a turnout rug on and it was brightest sunshine!) I am a bit desperate for one.

Last time I left the SI rug on while it rain I ended up having to thatch (it wasn't forecast!), and he'll get too hot if I put a turnout rug over it.

Can't leave him naked because he'll rub and scratch until he has sores.
 
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Boetts are fab and work like a second skin so whilst only showerproof they dry seriously quickly and stay super warm when wet. My boy is out 24/7 in his without a rug and never has a problem, even with all this weather.

The problem with the waterproof rugs are either the fabric is not breathable (which is not great for sweet itch) or they are thicker and warmer.
 
I bought the shires maxi flow waterproof recently and it is great - it was recommended on here. I can't always catch my mare so changing rugs is not an option so she wares it all the time.
 
Boett are so worth the money. Pretty resilient but recommended to have electric fencing - 1 to save the rug, and 2 to save the horse (nothing to itch on). If you get the Boett on early enough (march) then you get no bites at all and don't need to use any products. You can also ride in them.

We get 2 - 3 years of use out of each rug and pony is retired in a field 24/7 and in rug 24/7 from March to Oct/Nov. We've been with Boett for years and years and such a difference in severe SI pony.

You can also get tablets and injections which can be hugely successful. Pony was retired by that point though and rug so good never tried them, but the itchy horse people (sweet itch society) are fab and will talk you through all sorts.

The blankets are much MUCH cheaper now than they were 18 years ago too! And the extra cost is more than paid for by not having to buy lotions and potions :)

ETA: also fit in washing and tumble machines and will fit on domestic sewing machines if you do have any holes. They send out a little patch bag too that you can use if necessary. By end of year 2 nd 3 I generally have to sew some holes up, but that is more from when pony charges through slip rails when the electric dies to get more grass!
 
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I wash sweet itch/fly rugs every 4 days and use lots of fabric conditioner (the kind for sensitive skin) and this seems to help to some degree with water resistance
 
Limbo1 said:
I bought the shires maxi flow waterproof recently and it is great - it was recommended on here. I can't always catch my mare so changing rugs is not an option so she wares it all the time.
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I have a maxi flow waterproof as well - it's brilliant, horse never seems to hot in it and it does a good job of keeping the flies off with it's belly cover.
I also have a Derby House waterproof fly rug for my sweet itch pony (horse in maxi flow does not have sweet itch), I think the neck cover is better on it than the Shires rug - it is longer and a more snug fit without being restricting - and the mesh is less likely to let any flies get through. It doesn't have a belly cover though so depends where your horse suffers from the flies the most!
 
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