Why are no fill turnout rugs totally useless in the rain?!

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MagicMelon

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So our new pony got very cold the other day in this ridiculous rain we've been having so I rushed off to buy her a Mark Todd Lite turnout rug, which stated it was of course waterproof as expected. The pony is Dartmoor with a very decent coat on her so I felt she didn't need any fill in the rug, just a waterproof shell. Put it on and within 6 hours it was soaked through. So peed off as it simply doesn't work! I know our rain has been bad but all my other rugs takes days to get in this state. Had to go back to the shop and in telling them this, the girl just said that only MW and HW's are properly waterproof but why is this?! I've had "light" rugs before but tended to only use them in summer showers on woosy horses. But surely there is a market for decently waterproof rugs for natives?! Ended up having to spend £80 on a medium weight for her which she doesn't need but thankfully is working at least.
 
MagicMelon said:
So our new pony got very cold the other day in this ridiculous rain we've been having so I rushed off to buy her a Mark Todd Lite turnout rug, which stated it was of course waterproof as expected. The pony is Dartmoor with a very decent coat on her so I felt she didn't need any fill in the rug, just a waterproof shell. Put it on and within 6 hours it was soaked through. So peed off as it simply doesn't work! I know our rain has been bad but all my other rugs takes days to get in this state. Had to go back to the shop and in telling them this, the girl just said that only MW and HW's are properly waterproof but why is this?! I've had "light" rugs before but tended to only use them in summer showers on woosy horses. But surely there is a market for decently waterproof rugs for natives?! Ended up having to spend £80 on a medium weight for her which she doesn't need but thankfully is working at least.
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You first line said it all Mark Todd - cheap rugs no good. Try Shire or Fal
 
I use no fill lightweight turnouts and have never had one that leaked. Maybe I've just been lucky? I don't buy expensive rugs either, mine are all Gallop rugs.
 
Agree it might be the denier, I like rugs to have at least 1200 denier in proper wild and windy midwinter weather. 600 denier rugs are fine though for mild autumn or spring showers.

Another thing to consider is where the water is getting in, if pony is soaked on The chest area, it might mean the rug is not fitting snugly in the neck area which allows rain to be blown through the neck opening under the rug.
 
My shires, rain sheet and up are brilliant in the rain. Try tbd highlander as its a higher denier than the tempest even though my tempest are fab
 
I won't buy anything less than 1200D. Try Weatherbeeta-I have one for my Exmoor (1200D), Axiom (1600D), Amigos (1200D). I have a very good 1680D 70g from DH too.

There is the theory as well that adding a sheet removes a lot of insulation from the coat as they they can't fluff up and that 'should' be replaced using fill. I've not rugged my Exmoor enough in the winter to know if thats the case but no-fill rugs can lead to dampness on the back if in constant use.
 
I have ruggles, gallop and rhinegold no fills and all have been completely waterproof (gallop and rhinegold rugs on their 2nd year) even in heavy rain.
 
I had mark Todd's for years and they were good but the last lot were useless .
I now have horsewear amigo no fills and so far they have been great .
 
I've given up on no fill as really can't rely on them to stay waterproof. I like the Amigo 50g or 70g, my natives do really well in them.
 
Pony has PE no fill rug and its never leaked.

Its not the ballistic nylon like the HW and the MW rugs. I think its 680 polyester outer..

Fiona
 
MotherOfChickens said:
There is the theory as well that adding a sheet removes a lot of insulation from the coat as they they can't fluff up and that 'should' be replaced using fill.
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I've always been baffled by that theory too, surely a dry horse is a warm horse? I would imagine you would only use a no fill rug on a "hot" horse or a horse with a decent natural winter coat that requires additional help to stay dry in persistent rain?

OP, I use no fill Amigo Bravo 1200d rugs, I really rate them for keeping my natives dry.
 
Another vote for shires, I have the tempest standard and combo never had any issues with leaking really nice rugs.
I do tend to put the amigo 50g if I know we will have really bad rain though just incase as I do think a bit of fill helps but it's still very light.
Treated mine to a pricey amigo 1200d with neck beginning of last winter as shires was getting on a it but it. Was a waste of money leaks and neck blows leaving base of neck exposed! 4 year old shires rug which has stood up to a lot of use still totall waterproof!
 
HBB said:
I've always been baffled by that theory too, surely a dry horse is a warm horse? I would imagine you would only use a no fill rug on a "hot" horse or a horse with a decent natural winter coat that requires additional help to stay dry in persistent rain?
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agreed! I will be trying this out in the next few weeks-I do need him clean(er) and dry so will try the weatherbeeta no fill out.
 
My Saxon rainsheet is rubbish and not breathable. Premier equines leaked and had to be replaced. Has anyone got any links to say a 40 50 or 70g that's high denier and actually works?
 
Lucky788 said:
Treated mine to a pricey amigo 1200d with neck beginning of last winter as shires was getting on a it but it. Was a waste of money leaks and neck blows leaving base of neck exposed! 4 year old shires rug which has stood up to a lot of use still totall waterproof!
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The trouble is with Amigos is they have no room for adjustment round the neck, they either fit or they don't! They are a great fit on our boys but my pony has quite narrow shoulders so Amigos gape a little on her and rain seeps in, hence I find it better to put her in rugs with more adjustable front fastenings such as Maxima.
 
My Thoroughbred type gelding is still in a no fill, and we're in Yorkshire where the rain has been absolutely torrential for weeks. He's still stayed dry under his rugs every day, which is the reason why Shires are always my first choice. You might want to give them a try if you're looking for an alternative brand, as I find that their rugs are economically priced, fit well, and are fantastically waterproof and hardwearing too.
 
My cheap and cheerful shires has always been fine, the Teflon coated ruggles one I bought leaked like a sieve round the stitches on day one, I know it's quite cheap but I was really annoyed.
 
Rambo all the way for me, wont use anything else. Never get a wet horse.
Seriously though op if you have just brought that rug, make the shop listen I wouldn't except it if it states " waterproof" on the bag. Shops can test them iv done it a few times for customers.
 
I have 40g rugs, PE and FAL. I have tried several brands of no-fill and they all get damp inside in heavy rain. It must be the fact they have no filling as I think the PE no-fills and the 40g are the same dernier.

The main reason I rug my two greys is to keep them clean to ride in the winter as they love a good roll in the mud :)
 
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My weatherbeeta 1200D is lasting amazingly, always bone dry underneath :)
Keen to get the 1680D 70g Derby house when it comes back in stock so glad it has good reviews!
 
First of all, I'd take the rug back to the shop and ask them to test its "Waterproof" capabilities or lack of them! They should refund you as there is no way that a brand new rug should leak right through everywhere.

I would then look at either Shires (Cannot recommend Shires rugs enough, they are fantastic), Rhino/Rambo, Weatherbeeta and Ruggles. I do not bother buying any rug which is not one of these makes as I find they either don't fit my chunky girl well enough or leak/are poor quality. Amigo are also very good but are unfortunately too tight across my cobs broad chest.
 
Only rug I've bought that leaks is a fal pro (it's not a no fill, it definitely leaks). Shame because it's quite a clever rug just not quite 100% been tested out I think.

I have weatherbeeta landa no fill and a rambo which has a removable liner so also a no fill and neither of them have ever leaked. Also have shires and gallop rugs which I think are good value for the money and good around the shoulders for my cob (better than the Rambo).
 
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