Views on rainsheets/no fill rugs.

MrsElle

MrsElle

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It is strange what pops into your mind in the early hours when you can't sleep :)

I was thinking about rugs. Skinny Minnie was in a MW during the winter, but is now naked. She has plenty of shelter and it isn't too cold down here at sea level. Next winter I would like her naked if possible but wondered about rain sheets and the fact that they will flatten her coat, thus meaning air can't be trapped between the hair and keep her warm. Or, does the sheet keeping off the rain and wind mean a flat coat won't necessarily matter as she won't be wet, which would be the main cause of coldness?

Thoughts?

Fat Lad is naked and doesn't have a rain sheet, but he is a hairy Highland and copes very well with the rain/sleet/wind.
 
I never used to be much of a fan of lightweight/no fill sheets, but in this crazy weather we're having where one minute it's 12 degrees and sunny, the next it's 4 and raining or hailing!! I found 2 of my horses were shivering naked, got too hot and sweated under the 40g turnouts, but are perfect with no fill sheets on, so am now a convert! I woud say you have to get the right lightweight as I've had them in the past get wet underneath them. But the weatherbeeta landa, the amigo and the JHL that I now have are all really good, (the amigo is a very old amigo, so can't comment on the newer ones), they will all be naked as soon as the weather sorts itself out though!!
 
I have an Amigo Mio rain sheet and I've noticed when I do my last check before bed that my Breagh's hair is still able to stand up under the rug and it did seem to keep the chill off. It's been so hard recently to judge which rugs to use but as I'm hoping to take her out next week I've been keeping a rug on so she doesn't look too woolly and filthy.
We've also had to resort to putting a rain sheet on the Sec A as he and my TB have both had rainscald and the rain sheet has really helped with this.
Sorry that got a bit waffley I did just mean to say yes the hair can still stand up under one :0)
 
Depends on how much money you want to spend but I highly rate the horseware rugs. My warmblood mare you feels the cold and can shiver in a cool breeze is currently in a no fill Rambo. It has a 1000d outer with a detachable neck cover. It has kept her completely dry and warm in this current cold wet spell but not over heated.

My other horse wears a horseware Amigo no fill which has 1200d outer, again with a detachable neck cover. I have found that the lighter 600d Amigos are not as waterproof but better for warmer spring /summer downpours.

The weatherbeeta lightweights are ok for lighter rain showers but find them not very good in situations like we are currently experiencing.

As with everything you get what you pay for and I always try to buy by horses good quality and robust rugs. Horseware rugs just keep on going.
 
Hi yes i agree the hair doesn't smooth down as much as with other rugs because they are so light. I have the weatherbeeta landa and have just bought the Bridleway one for my pony and they have kept them dry and much less muddy (far more important :D) in the recent downpours...
 
I've got a coolheat rug made by macs equine, it's got insulators that hold the rug off the horses coat so it can still raise and lower the hairs and so regulate it's own temperature, might be worth looking into if your worried about flattening the hair
 
I always think they will be colder in a rain sheet than just getting wet as they loose the ability to puff up their fur to trap air. That said I would use one if the pony had been washed and didn't have the natural oil in the coat to repel the rain.
Also use them at shows to chuck over the saddle between classes when it's wet.
 
I use one on my fully clipped horse, he shivers as he's not got the coat to keep himself waterproof, but cooks under a fill rug. I wouldn't use one an unclipped horse, their own coat is much more effective.
 
I've got an Amigo rainsheet on my boy in this weird weather. I'd have loved to have kept him naked today, in particular, but because it keeps on and off raining and I want to be able to ride later, I threw that on him.

He was naked in the morning, just popped down the field when the grey clouds started rolling in again :rolleyes:

The rainsheets have been lifesavers recently, and I need a new one for next year as his current one has got a hole :o
 
I really love rainsheets. They kep the rain off and the wind too. Get one with the highest denier you can e.g. 1200 or 1800. I prefer combo (full neck) especially if their necks are clipped.
 
aradiagreen said:
When you say 'rain sheet' do you mean a lightweight, no-fill turnout??? I'm easily confused!:confused:
Click to expand...

yes,thats what Id take it to mean.

i rate the weatherbeeta freestyle LW's and the Amigo Mio's - found the newer version of these, the Bravos are a deeper fit and not so good for my horse. For a cheaper option I really like ruggles :)
 
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