I want a no-fill turnout rug - which is light when dry and wet!

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Fifty Bales of Hay

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I am looking to buy a no-fill turnout rug (preferably with shoulder gussets) but definitely one for the bigger built (and neck) horse. But it must must must be light to handle, when dry - and more importantly NOT soak in the rain which makes it heavier when wet.

Any suggestions please? I've always like Rhino rugs for this but not sure this is going to be ample enough in the neck/shoulder region unless I buy the 3 point fixing, now theres a thought?

Best prices and any sales on anywhere for any suggestions?

Teflon coated rugs where the water "beads" off them - is this just when new or forever? Have seen Ruggles do these but only brought out this year.

Any makes/types of rugs to avoid that you know soak up the rain and so are definitely heavier when wet?
 
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Bucas are good for the bigger shouldered horse and are pretty light. I use PE and really rate them but they are quite heavy when wet.
 
The Amigo range are fantastic lightweight rugs, Mio's at the cheapest, then the Amigo original, and the Hero/Bravo at the more expensive [although, still very affordable especially for the quality] end of the range

My Arab has Horseware rugs, no other make fits her so perfectly, as does my mum's Cob, who has hulk like shoulders and a hefty neck and massive mane.

They fit her like a glove, they don't pull back, she's always dry even in the heaviest rain and they don't rub her.

I like Weatherbeeta rugs, the cob has a lot of rugs, majority being Weatherbeeta, but they are heavy, as per the lining, even in their lightweights
The Weatherbeeta ORIGINAL rugs are the best fit for a chunky/wide shouldered horse [and they are true to size]


Another make I discovered after buying my Arab, are the Equidor range - Loads of different rugs eg Colorado is the lightweight with a neck, no filling.
They are more affordable, with 600denier outer [rather than 1200 like Horseware and Weatherbeeta] but are lightweight and generous in the neck and shoulders, with a big tail flap
My mare is currently wearing one of their 100g turnout combos, and it weighs less than her Weatherbeeta lightweight standard neck!


Hope that helps :)
 
My rhino is fab and fits all apart from the gussets- 100% waterproof, quick drying, not heavy when wet. Fits my welsh cob though could up grade to the v-neck option (I have this on my other turnouts and it sits really well).
 
I would try the 1200D Shires rug. If i don't buy a Rambo/Rhino then I tend ot buy Shires and I do find them very good for the price and fairly roomy in the shoulders.
 
Thank you everyone, some good suggestions there

Can anyone recommend the Derby House rugs? I have one on a smaller pony that seems quite good, but that might be because it's a smaller rug makes it lightweight and easy to handle? Will spray it heavily with water tonight and see how it fares?
 
AMP said:
Thank you everyone, some good suggestions there

Can anyone recommend the Derby House rugs? I have one on a smaller pony that seems quite good, but that might be because it's a smaller rug makes it lightweight and easy to handle? Will spray it heavily with water tonight and see how it fares?
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Our LW (no fill) Derby House rug is only shower proof - it doesn't cope well with heavier rain. It's not a great fit on our mare so a fair bit seeps in around her chest but it has been known to soak right through all over on very wet days.
 
AMP said:
Thank you everyone, some good suggestions there

Can anyone recommend the Derby House rugs? I have one on a smaller pony that seems quite good, but that might be because it's a smaller rug makes it lightweight and easy to handle? Will spray it heavily with water tonight and see how it fares?
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I bought two lw derby houses last spring they leaked like colanders I chucked them .
 
I always liked Rambos but they aren't generous on the shoulders and I think the xl versions would be too big.

Have bought three shires rugs recently and really impressed with the fit and price.
 
I have 2 Premier Equine no fill, I haven't found anything else that will fit her! The water beads on both of them and neither have any issues with leaking. However, they are not all that light (mind you the rugs are 7'3 so I'm not sure how light I can get it with all that material!).

Edited to add: Mine is an Irish Draught so rugs that are a generous depth and don't look like a mini skirt and are also big enough around the neck and chest is a must, and I have found PE good for this.
 
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AMP said:
Thank you everyone, some good suggestions there

Can anyone recommend the Derby House rugs? I have one on a smaller pony that seems quite good, but that might be because it's a smaller rug makes it lightweight and easy to handle? Will spray it heavily with water tonight and see how it fares?
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Dont waste your money. Neighbour had then on her 2 x 14hh. Leaked like sieves if anything more than a short light shower. Would be better off using a newspaper in the rain....
 
HuntingfieldHoney said:
I have 2 Premier Equine no fill, I haven't found anything else that will fit her! The water beads on both of them and neither have any issues with leaking. However, they are not all that light (mind you the rugs are 7'3 so I'm not sure how light I can get it with all that material!).

Edited to add: Mine is an Irish Draught so rugs that are a generous depth and don't look like a mini skirt and are also big enough around the neck and chest is a must, and I have found PE good for this.
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I have a PE no fill too, it is at least double the weight of the rhino and worse when wet! Hanging it to dry has always required a lot of shoulder effort! (only 5'9 ;) )
 
Weetherbeeta for me mine have been in rain sheets right up till yesterday and have kept them dry all the time. I have just moved up to the 100gms and they are still lovely and light when dry.

I have just put a new stable rug on tonight an Amigo that I bought last year but never used there is an awful lot of horse hanging out the sides, she looks like she is wearing a too tight t-shirt. So if you did go Amigo if your horse has a fuller shape you may need to go up a size.
 
ester said:
I have a PE no fill too, it is at least double the weight of the rhino and worse when wet! Hanging it to dry has always required a lot of shoulder effort! (only 5'9 ;) )
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Maybe I should try a rhino next then... starting to think I do a lot of rug hauling, and horse does a lot of rug carrying, for no reason if I can get lighter ones!! I'll miss my muscly shoulders tho... :D
 
Narrowing down my list - thats Derby House off my list, and Premier Equine off my list.

If I go for an Amigo or a Rhino - I will have to go up a size!

Weatherbeeta is probably in the lead for ticking all my boxes so far. The Ruggles rugs are really interesting but I can't seem to get any feedback on how good they are? Or what shapes they fit well?
 
I have a ruggles lightweight 1200d and Teflon coated. I find it an excellent fit on my big shouldered boy it's very adjustable at the chest with 3 clip rings and also buckles. It's been 100% in all weathers so far no leaks. I couldn't be happier with it. It dries quickly but if you need to remove it caked in mud following torrential rain it is a bit heavy. I am taking it off a 16 hander and lifting it onto a rack above head height though.
 
My Ruggles are a perfect fit for my mare, however they suit a deeper chest and would have drowned my TBs.

Mine are completely waterproof and are able to withstand the most torrential rain-even the lightweight. (Quite impressed!)
Not heavy when wet, either.
I'm actually more impressed by them than by some of the expensive brands.

I'm a huge fan of PE rugs too and would highly recommend-but they do get heavy when wet and take a long time to dry!
 
If your going to get a lightweight rug that is actually waterproof and not showerproof then you need to go for at least 1000d. Shires are good for bigger chested horses.
 
I have a weatherbeeta original which is fab, normally I have the freestyle fit but thsi was just too good in the sale to leave there. I got a second sheet with neck cover (sick of the muddy neck) and got an Amigo Hero with detachable neck and it's been great and fits just as well.
 
I can't find any no fill turnout rug which is properly waterproof, they all seem to leak like sieves. I wanted one for my Dartmoor who didnt need the warmth but gave up and she's now in a MW which thankfully is totally waterproof.
 
MagicMelon said:
I can't find any no fill turnout rug which is properly waterproof, they all seem to leak like sieves. I wanted one for my Dartmoor who didnt need the warmth but gave up and she's now in a MW which thankfully is totally waterproof.
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I managed to get a no fill Rambo Supreme in the sale and it is 100% waterproof even on the very wet west coast of Scotland.
 
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