Why Waterproofing In Turnout Horse Rugs Varies So Much

We hear many nightmare stories of synthetic horse rugs that just don’t perform, and leak like a sieve. In many cases, they are often leading brands that people have paid a lot of money for.

Synthetic denier gets its waterproofing from the membrane that lines the underside of the fabric, not from the fabric itself. Waterproof synthetic horse rugs use a chemically treated membrane on the underside of the denier. This membrane prevents water molecules from passing through the fibres while allowing vapour (which is smaller) to pass out through the membrane. A good-quality fabric will not leak and will provide good breathability.

However, cheaper Chinese imitations are flooding the market, and in many cases, both the fabric and the membrane may not be breathable, with the waterproofing questionable as the polymer deteriorates quickly in our climate.

For any turnout horse rug to keep your horse comfortable on the inside, both the outer fabric and the lining should also be breathable. Even in cold conditions, your horse will perspire, and if a garment does not have sufficient breathability, the moisture (from perspiration) and the difference in outside/inside air temperature will build up as condensation on the inside of the rug.

How can I check if my denier is still waterproof or breathable?

Your synthetic denier gets its waterproofing from the membrane that lines the underside of the fabric - not from the fabric itself. Once the membrane is damaged, you can’t reseal it like you can with canvas.

If you have an unlined denier rain sheet horse rug, you can see the underside of the denier through the can-can lining. If you hold the rug up to the sun and look up from the underside, you will see the thousands of little pinholes of light. These are the waterproof pores in the fabric that give the rug its breathability. The waterproof membrane ensures the holes are smaller than a water molecule so that water cannot enter the rug. To cut costs, many cheaper denier fabrics are not breathable.

The best way to check if your horse rug is waterproof is to use a sink or large tub. Lay the rug over the top and create a small indent with the denier – ensure you choose an area of the rug with no fittings or seams. Then pour a glass or three of water into the indent and allow the water to pool. The denier should hold the water and not allow any seepage to the inside.

At Caribu, our fabrics are made especially to our requirements, and we have used the same leading manufacturer for over 8 years. Our synthetic horse rugs are high quality and rated to pass a hydrostatic head test of 3000MM – more than twice the minimum requirements, with a breathability rating of at least 3000gr/m² per 24 hours.

Shop Caribu's range of waterproof turnouts today.