Waterproofing sweet itch rugs

[Chianti]

As in the title. Has anyone ever tried water proofing sweet itch rugs? It's absolutely lashing down where my pony is tonight and although I don't mind him getting a bit wet in his SI rug he's going to get absolutely soaked tonight. It's still too warm for turnouts and the rugs with a waterproofing section over the back never have long enough necks so the midges can have a field day in them. I've never understood why the rug firms don't make them as they'd sell really well.

 

[Surbie]

I wouldn't have thought the weave would be tight enough to keep the water out? And having the waterproof layer/lining would make the rugs hotter, wouldn't they?

I use fabric softener on mine, which helps a bit, but am resigned to my horse effectively wearing a wet nappy when it's raining. They do dry very quickly though (snuggies in this case). It's very windy where I am so mine is rug-free this weekend - I can hear the wind howling outside my window.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Was gonna suggest fabric softener I use it on the snuggy turnout hoods and it helps a bit.

 

[Chianti]

I wouldn't have thought the weave would be tight enough to keep the water out? And having the waterproof layer/lining would make the rugs hotter, wouldn't they?

I use fabric softener on mine, which helps a bit, but am resigned to my horse effectively wearing a wet nappy when it's raining. They do dry very quickly though (snuggies in this case). It's very windy where I am so mine is rug-free this weekend - I can hear the wind howling outside my window.

Thanks. Why does fabric conditioner help?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thanks. Why does fabric conditioner help?

It makes the fabric not soak up water so much.

 

[Nasicus]

Rainsheet over the top works. Some rugs like the Rambo Hoodie also have waterproof liners you can buy.

 

[Surbie]

Thanks. Why does fabric conditioner help?

In a light shower the water generally beads on the top. Useless for anything heavier so my horse will have been soaked this morning and will be drying out now.

 

[NinjaPony]

I just put a 0g rain sheet over the top of my sweetheart itch rug…

 

[Chianti]

Rainsheet over the top works. Some rugs like the Rambo Hoodie also have waterproof liners you can buy.

It was too mild the other day for a turn out. I tried the waterproof liner and found he got quite sweaty in it. Actually just sold it. He's a fairly hairy cob.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Shires typhoon do a really thin turnout I think its 840 denier so it is a very good rug for warm very wet days, it's so lightweight it's not even as heavy as the shires sweetich rug I have I use it to chuck over a fly or sweet itch rug in summer.

 

[Chianti]

Shires typhoon do a really thin turnout I think its 840 denier so it is a very good rug for warm very wet days, it's so lightweight it's not even as heavy as the shires sweetich rug I have I use it to chuck over a fly or sweet itch rug in summer.

Thanks but I've got that one. He has an extensive rug wardrobe - just never seem to have the right rug. The lightest he's got is the unlined Mio but even with that over a SI he gets hot. He can't wear just a turn out as the midges can get at him. I'm sure he's fine with a wet SI rug I just thought that in 2023 someone could make a SI that's also waterproof.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thanks but I've got that one. He has an extensive rug wardrobe - just never seem to have the right rug. The lightest he's got is the unlined Mio but even with that over a SI he gets hot. He can't wear just a turn out as the midges can get at him. I'm sure he's fine with a wet SI rug I just thought that in 2023 someone could make a SI that's also waterproof.

I must admit I put a sweet itch shires rug on Louis sometimes and even in the heaviest rain its never completely soaked through, and even if its wet it dries really quick I really wouldn't worry too much I'm sure he will be fine.

I agree you would think in this day and age there would be a better solution what about a waterproof fly rug over the top or somehow fit a waterproof liner into the sweet itch rug?