rug wetted through

little_critter

little_critter

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I was disappointed to take my mares rug off this morning to find she was damp all over and her no fill rug had wetted through (I know many people don't think much of zero fill rugs but mostly they work ok for me).
My gelding was dry despite being in an older rug that is made of more flimsy material.
Both rugs had been washed and proofed at home in the last few weeks (nikwax proofer)
Do I try a tin of fabsil on the leaky rug (never tried fabsil before)?
Or do I give up and buy her a new rug?
 
No fill need a nice layer of air under them, so if it became so wet it was on her body it'll leak through. I much prefer a 50g so there's something to hold it off the horse but appreciate its too warm for that.

How old is the rug and how have you cared for it? Rugs have both physical and chemical barriers. Nikwax will replace the chemical providing you haven't used anything else which may stop it like washing with a non specialist cleaner, a normal detergent contains compounds to help the clothes soak up water and you'll never completely wash the out.

Rugs also have a physical membrane on the back, you can see it if you look inside a tear, this gets worn and cracked with age and things like washing. Nothing you do will repair that.

Fabsils a good waterproofer but will kill any breathability. I'd buy a new cheap rug and replace as needed.
 
The rug is approx 18m to 2 years old.
It's probably had a couple of washes with Nikwax tech wash and Nikwax proofer in its lifetime.
It's rather disappointing. I keep going back to this brand because I like the material weight and cut...but it's no good if it leaks!
I've seen a 1200D PE rug on sale that I might try instead.
 
I’ve got mine in a 50 for this reason, it was very wet the other day here and she was dry. The extra 50g is minimal to be honest and mine is out 24:7 and it’s been dropping down to 7 or 8 at night x
 
little_critter said:
I was disappointed to take my mares rug off this morning to find she was damp all over and her no fill rug had wetted through (I know many people don't think much of zero fill rugs but mostly they work ok for me).
My gelding was dry despite being in an older rug that is made of more flimsy material.
Both rugs had been washed and proofed at home in the last few weeks (nikwax proofer)
Do I try a tin of fabsil on the leaky rug (never tried fabsil before)?
Or do I give up and buy her a new rug?
Click to expand...
I have never had a zero fill rug that stayed waterproof. They just don't!
 
I also go for the 40g or 50g if there is anything more than a short shower forecast. Never had them find them too warm.
The PE rugs are very heavy btw. Shires do a great 50g turnout which stand the test of time.
I also don't wash the rugs more than once a year, to be fair - and then take them to a rug cleaner. Your washing machine at home will have residual detergent in it which wrecks waterproofing.
 
Exactly the same issue this morning, my coblet was damp under his nofill rainsheet this morning, so given thats its a relatively warm 16 degrees here in the shire, I whipped it off and he's naked. feel a little sorry for him in this drizzly mizzly rain but better than it clinging to him and being musty and damp. But hey ho the showjumping warmbloods in the next field are all still naked!
 
mindtheGap said:
I have never had a zero fill rug that stayed waterproof. They just don't!
Click to expand...

I have 3 Rhino no fills all 8 and 9 years old and they have never ever leaked. Never washed commercially and reproofed every 3 years with Fabsil Gold. I think it depends on the quality of the rug, the denier, how they are cleaned and how often it’s done.
 
We use cheap and cheerful Gallop rugs and can recommend them but tbh it's been too warm here for rugs over the last few days. They've been checked multiple times per day, particularly in the wind but they have been fine living out with a shelter and a hedge to stand under.
 
I have a no fill Gallop turnout for Rabbit and it never stayed waterproof despite only being a few months old....and not being washed - it was fresh out the packaging so theoretically should have been fine.

I emailed Gallop as I had not come across this issue before, they apologised and offered a small money off voucher which I thought was very kind of them.

I politely thanked them for their kindness and said not to worry about the money off voucher, I just wanted them to know in case it was a specific batch issue with the rugs.

I swapped to Amigo 50g and both boys have been bone dry throughout the worst of the rain that we have had.

I appreciate it is too warm for some horses so the above isn't an option however :)
 
little_critter said:
I was disappointed to take my mares rug off this morning to find she was damp all over and her no fill rug had wetted through (I know many people don't think much of zero fill rugs but mostly they work ok for me).
My gelding was dry despite being in an older rug that is made of more flimsy material.
Both rugs had been washed and proofed at home in the last few weeks (nikwax proofer)
Do I try a tin of fabsil on the leaky rug (never tried fabsil before)?
Or do I give up and buy her a new rug?
Click to expand...
I use this for mine https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk...ories/lincoln-weather-proofa-universal__71467. If that fails new rug
 
I use Rambo or Rhino and they never leak, even at 20 years old! That said, I never wash them. I hose off if needed, and wipe the insides. The good rugs are never used in the stable.

I always used to use stable rugs for indoors, but now have a back door and patio for each horse. They seem to spend a lot of time outside, even in the rain, so now they need waterproofs for 'indoors' as well as daytime turnout. I won't use my Rambo or Rhino ones for night time indoors as I don't want them laid in poo and pee. I also like them to have different rugs for day and night as it means they are changed twice a day and therefore less likely to cause any pressure issues. I also like a slightly warmer one at night.

For night time, I have bought cheapies off ebay. I got a waterproof top fly rug and a no fill for £27 each, including delivery. It has chucked it down on both and they have been waterproof.

The difference is that the Rambo / Rhino ones have a Gore-tex type inner, as well as a treated outer. The treated outer will soon wear and allow water in, but the Gore-tex inner will remain waterproof as long as not washed in detergent. The outer treatment will generally only do one winter and then is gone. The cheap rugs don't have the gore tex type inner; they just have the treatment. Wash-in or paint-on treatments are simply not so effective. They will wash out again with detergent or even with just rain over time. The paint on ones literally wear off or crack.

So, the cheap ones of mine are expected to do one winter and then will be sold. People seem happy to buy second hand outdoor rugs, barmy as they won't be waterproof for the winter. I bet I get £15 for them, even unwashed, just a hose and wipe. Next winter, more £27 rugs.
 
I try not to wash. Washing has been always been the beginning of the end for my rugs.
Big fan of the Kramer Felix Bühler rugs, not too expensive but really good. Also the Bucas Smartex, undestructable (but unfortunately not the best fit for my horse).
 
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