Soaked rugs - take off or leave on?

[canteron]

Advice, 2 of my horses are out in no fill rugs .... the rain has been torrential here all day and the rugs are soaked through - we have had 5cm of rain so I guess that is a lot to expect of a rug, the rugs are PE (good stitch count) and fresh from being reproofed. The horses have bib clips.
The horses are out on good grass (so aren’t hungry) and do have access to shelter.
So the rugs are deflecting some of the deluge .... do I take them off or leave them on? It’s about 9C here and they feel warm (but damp) under the rug.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d take them off and put dry ones on.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Pop on a fresh 100g for tonight? It’s been very cold and windy here, but mostly dry.

 

[PapaverFollis]

My PE rug started leaking after being washed and reproofed... so it might not be the rain volume that is to blame! I would change the rugs. If they are soaked through they are going to take a lot of heat from the horse as they dry out.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think it depends on the rug. I’d leave on if it had stopped raining and they were comfortable underneath, otherwise as above change!
My old boy had a Rambo supreme LW which was fine but cheaper rugs I’d need to change and dry

 

[IrishMilo]

Change. I think it’s poor form to leave a sodden rug on, sorry!

 

[Mrs G]

In my experience no fill rugs are only shower/light rain proof. They can’t cope with heavy rain and once they are wet the horse is worse off than if they were naked as the hair can’t ‘fluff up’. So in your shoes I’d be changing the rugs for dry ones.

 

[shortstuff99]

If they are dry under the rug then leave on as the rugs will dry faster, if they are wet under the rug then I would change.

 

[popcorn1]

Take them off and ditch them. I've never understood no fill rugs. Pointless.

 

[canteron]

So the newer (1 yo) rug had done an ok job - the older rug was soaked and changed for a med weight Rambo. They do have good hedge shelter and a field shelter and lots of grass (moved to the field where i can see them) so should be fine.
I am not a great rug person having chubby inclined natives - but the weather change is so extreme I thought I ought to rug the older horses, so thanks.

 

[AmyMay]

Take them off and ditch them. I've never understood no fill rugs. Pointless.

Actually they’re not pointless if you get one that’s a 1200 denier.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

The rugs dry better on the horse. I tend to thatch and leave in with the rug on. Keeps the wet rug off their back let’s air in to dry and keeps the heat in.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Actually they’re not pointless if you get one that’s a 1200 denier.

Yep, get a decent make like Rambo and they’re great, and waterproof.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Actually they’re not pointless if you get one that’s a 1200 denier.

This! If you get a good one they do the job!

 

[Frano]

Change them.

 

[Carrottom]

This time of year with very changeable conditions I don't worry too much about changing wet rugs as long as I know I can take the rug off for a couple of hours the next day to check underneath.

 

[NinjaPony]

I would leave a wet rug on if the horse was dry underneath and it was just the outer that was wet. If the inside is wet, then the rug comes off and a dry rug is put on. I agree that to be properly waterproof, a no fill needs to be a decent brand and denier. I dislike PE rugs, finding them heavy and leaky when it is wet so I’m not that surprised they haven’t stayed dry....

 

[Sussexbythesea]

If they’re dry underneath leave on but if they’re wet then throw them away and get some decent ones!

I’ve got Amigo and Rhino and neither leak.

https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk...MIovGk-JSG7AIV0-ntCh0cVA0sEAQYDiABEgJDNPD_BwE

 

[Red-1]

I never wash outdoor rugs, it renders then useless. Yes, you can re-proof but it doesn't last long and they are never as good. I will sponge the inside if they are greasy, but not with detergent. The outsides are fine, I never leave them on in the stable so it is only ever mud. If they are dire, I have hosed them off whilst they are still on the horse.

As soon as a rug leaks, it is ditched. To be fair, this has only ever been with a cheap rug and once. My Rambos have gone on for 15+ years! Still look decent, still waterproof.

I also have (recently) a few Shires, the ones with half fly mesh and half waterproof. They are cheap and (so far) only one let some water in after about 5 years. I now have a 50g fill (so almost no fill) and that has been fine so far too. I chanced cheap as they are just rain sheets, so won't be used when it is cold. I was told that a 50g feels cooler than a no fill as it allows some air flow, it just holds the sheet slightly aloft.

I always take wet rugs off. I may leave them to drip dry on the horse for as long as it takes me to poo pick and do any jobs, but then they come off and (Thank you Mr Red) come into the house to dry. I am amazed to this day that horse rugs are allowed.

I hate PE rugs with a passion. The new horse came with some, I will sell them on FB I think. They are heavy when wet and don't keep them dry. One of his is a massive 6'3 all singing one with neck and a huge fill. I wouldn't be able to handle it if it was soaked.

 

[HashRouge]

I wash and reproof my turnouts every year and they're still waterproof...

OP get a decent no fill rug and they won't leak. I've got 2 the same make (not sure what) and they keep my mare dry however heavy the rain.

Re "I don't seen the point of no fill rugs". Well, even with no lining its an additional, waterproof layer - I find it keeps mine warmer and dryer without them getting too warm.

 

[JulesRules]

Take them off and ditch them. I've never understood no fill rugs. Pointless.

I use no fill rugs more than anything, but that's usually in summer when mine are living out 24/7 and we have several days of non stop rain and I feel a bit sorry fof them.
I barely rug in winter. I clip early and then let their coats get woolly before it's gets really cold so they don't really need rugs.
Depends on your horse and situation.

OP - I would change rugs if they are wet under, but leave if they are dry under.

 

[BSL2]

Actually they’re not pointless if you get one that’s a 1200 denier.

.......

 

[BSL2]

.......

Agree, one just had to understand limitations.?