Old canvas NZ rugs

B

beingachicken

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 August 2011
Messages
314
Visit site
I’m after a solution to my horses rug tearing. Currently just getting repair after repair done and using ripped rugs til the last ones fixed!!
move just come across in my search for cheapo turnouts on eBay an old canvas turnout. How tough would this be? I’m wondering about using it as a stronger top layer to protect my decent rugs underneath? Yay or nay?

Nb my auto correct has gone a bit wild and turned yay to mystic ??
 
  • Like
Reactions: DD
They are pretty tough but for me the cons outweigh that! Have you ever tried to lift a wet one? I'm not sure I would ever go back to them!

Have you tried higher denier Rugs? I have a rug trasher and because of this I didn't want to spend on more expensive rugs but since using a 1000D Rambo not had any problems. Perhaps you could have one 1000D+ rainsheet that you put on top?
 
ponios said:
They are pretty tough but for me the cons outweigh that! Have you ever tried to lift a wet one? I'm not sure I would ever go back to them!

Have you tried higher denier Rugs? I have a rug trasher and because of this I didn't want to spend on more expensive rugs but since using a 1000D Rambo not had any problems. Perhaps you could have one 1000D+ rainsheet that you put on top?
Click to expand...
I have yes, I only buy 1200d or above!
 
Is it his rug that is getting ripped? Along the back? Or everywhere?

A solution that has worked for me when hubby’s dingbat of a youngster targeted the old pony and started ripping her rug was to have light canvas sewn along the back of the rug. He still does it but can no longer rip the rug.

It’s a heavy turnout rug only used for deepest winter so no drama about overheating.
 
What about a cheap rainsheet over the top to take the brunt of the ripping? You could probably pick old ones up free - i have one in the garage that's no longer waterproof and I bet there will be others like me
 
Don't know if they are easy to find in the UK, but the newer/modern canvas rugs are great for horses that like tearing things. I have had mine for a good 4/5 years and still going strong. They are not heavy when it rains and fairly weatherproof. Older canvas rugs are revered her in Aus!
 
My old cob was ripping the shoulders out of all his turnouts at the old yard as he was leaning over the barbed wire fence. I had canvas material sewn over the chest shoulder area and it stopped it more or less completely.
 
It sounds like you have a similar problem to the one I used to have - other horses grabbing them - although in my case the other horse would pull them until they came off! I painted mine with cribbox (on a dry day) and topped it up every day for a week and it did the trick. Once the other horse had a mouthful of that a few times he left the rug well alone.
 
My horse had recently trashed a couple of rugs, one in A fight with stock fencing (not ideal I know and now fenced off with electric tape). I momentarily considered a stronger rug but on balance am relieved that the cheap rug did rip and release him. Just a thought that ‘indestructible’ might not necessarily be better?

Also, the old canvas style can sometimes rip in grand style along the whole grain of the fabric from a little Nick.
 
Oh my goodness not seen a old nz rug for years!!! Was so glad when the newer rigs started coming out and no more needing a hoist to put my shire x ID rug on?. I do remember them ripping though on occasions and sewing patches on. We had 32 horses at the yard I used to teach at but don’t remember how many rips occurred compared to today’s. One of mines a rug ripper so unless it’s really bad weather he goes without and he doesn’t try and rip it off etc now. He is a hardy native so that may not be a option for you. Mine was ripping it because of itching and scraping himself against anything. He was too warm I think even with a light weight on.
 
I have no solution for you, but if you find one please tell me. My gelding went out this morning in a brand new rug. I am not wondering what I can use to patch it:(
 
Winters100 said:
I have no solution for you, but if you find one please tell me. My gelding went out this morning in a brand new rug. I am not wondering what I can use to patch it:(
Click to expand...
Do you have any old rugs or waterproof clothes? I cut up and kept a old rug that I use for repairs. Then I spray with waterproofing spray job done.
 
gugglebum said:
Omg I remember those rugs. I found a couple in an old shed in a field my pony moved onto. Showing my age here!

There’s a reason why they went extinct ?
Click to expand...
Yes me too showing our age ?. I was talking to one of the girls who rides for me about the nz rugs she didn’t have a clue what I was on about. Along with VHS?
 
I lined my canvas NZ rugs with sheets (attached with velco) which meant I could wash and tumble dry the lining and keep them clean. Sewing velcro to canvas was hard work.
 
beingachicken said:
I’m after a solution to my horses rug tearing. Currently just getting repair after repair done and using ripped rugs til the last ones fixed!!
move just come across in my search for cheapo turnouts on eBay an old canvas turnout. How tough would this be? I’m wondering about using it as a stronger top layer to protect my decent rugs underneath? Yay or nay?

Nb my auto correct has gone a bit wild and turned yay to mystic ??
Click to expand...

This is pretty late now but i found the question so thought i'd jump in. If your horse is hard on rugs then always avoid 600 denier which is by far the most common. 1200 should be the go to, unless money is no problem then the horsewear 1000 denier is great or 1600 ballistics and up will be pretty hard to rip.

Canvas is tough to rip because its stiff and hard to catch. We still sell lots of canvas rugs in NZ and Aus and I always compare an 18oz canvas to a 1200d synthetic in strength. Its still harder for a horse to catch a canvas on a nail or branch so they last longer generally.

It is common to get a canvas rug and put it over the top of a waterproof synthetic in winter. You can then buy a cheaper 600d synthetic and let the canvas take the beating.
 
12-18 oz waxed canvas sewn on in the areas it gets ripped might do it, I have some in my workshop and make various things with it. It's out of fashion now but I prefer it, we used to lay the rugs out and get wax (looks like a tin of hard vegetable fat) and smear it all over working it in, very rarely leaked after that. Did it on my Jeep's bonnet when the engine was still hot and in sunshine, helped to melt the wax and get it right in to the fibres. I was asked once and happily did it, to sew the toughest leather I had on the front of a rug ripper's rug (barbed wire ripping session).
I had some chrome tanned shoulder that was as hard as a rock, sewed that round the shoulder's rug was still going strong 5 years later last I heard.
Oz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top