In order to wick away moisture, a light cotton rug can be used underneath the rain sheet - this can help to prevent the horse becoming too 'sticky'. If it's still quite warm, most horses are better off getting a little wet than steaming up under a waterproof rug.
A rug made from canvas material which if you're looking at our WeatherBeeta Canvas, is made from 60% cotton blend canvas. These are waterproof rugs, and most commonly used in between seasons when whether conditions are not as harsh.
Never rug a wet horse for the night – the rug will absorb the moisture and hold it close to the horse's body for many hours to come, chilling as the temperature drops.
Fly mesh rugs also don't retain moisture very well, and rain scald bacteria do not thrive under dry conditions. Horse rugs can be instrumental in both preventing and addressing rain scald. Using a Waterproof Synthetic Rainsheet Combo rug in heavy rain will also help keep the horse dry and rain scald free.
Avoid coat bleaching and offer some heat protection
In both cases, a light cotton rug or mesh is the best answer. They will provide sun protection and if you use very light cotton (like a flag rug), your horse will often be cooler with a light cotton rug than with no rug.
If you do decide to rug your horse during wet weather, a rain sheet or unlined canvas is the best option as these rugs deliver rain protection minus the warmth factor.
Not As Durable As Wool
These rugs do not last as long as wool. The fibers will slowly start to break down on their own, even when the rug is placed in an area that does not have a lot of traffic. You'll discover that you need to replace your cotton rug every five years.
The most common question we get asked is can an outdoor rug be left out in the rain? The short answer is Yes, Outdoor Rugs can get rained on!
While rain rot and scratches affect the horse's skin, heavy rain can also impact your horse's hooves. Thrush, hoof cracks, white line disease and hoof abscesses are a few hoof conditions that become prominent in times of wet weather. To reduce occurrence, ensure that your horse can stand in a clean, dry environment.
Outdoor rugs are not often waterproof. But they are water resistant. Simply put, they absorb less water than most indoor rugs, and they dry a lot quicker after getting wet. Thanks to these characteristics outdoor rugs can be left outside and stay outside even in the rain.
“If a horse's coat gets wet in rain or snow, it can dramatically chill them,” he said. “You may need to bring them inside a barn to dry and warm up. Otherwise, three-walled shelters that guard against prevailing winds will do a nice job of protecting horses from the elements.”
For most horses, rugging in Summer is simply unnecessary. Even lightweight Summer rugs can prevent your horse from cooling themselves effectively. Horses rely on sweating to maintain a safe core body temperature. When a rug is used, air cannot pass over their body to evaporate the sweat and cool their body.
A gentle or even a steady rainfall likely won't jeopardize a horse's health. A cold rainfall would probably call for at least a run-in shed. A chance for severe lightning or winds could be life-threatening.
Rug pads made with natural rubber for grip are ideal for cotton rugs and are safe to use with all floors and finishes.
Handmade rugs are made with 100% natural materials: wool, cotton, and sometimes silk. These are the ones that tend NOT to shed. Constant shedding is far more common with synthetic fibres (such as viscose, acrylic, or nylon).
Horses generally don't mind getting a little wet in the rain. However, bad weather can frighten some horses, causing them to not drink enough water. This can lead to colic. Make sure your horse is getting plenty of water during rainy season.
It's OK to put on a blanket on a wet horse. The blanket will wick the moisture away from the horse and the extra moisture will evaporate. You can check the horse later and you will find that he is dry under the blanket.
And, while a wet rug may not seem like a huge deal, wetness can actually cause some pretty serious damage to your rug. If the moisture isn't cleaned up in a timely manner, it can destroy your rug beyond repair. Dyes can float, causing the pattern to become smudged. And, materials can also lose their shape.
Some materials, like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, can withstand rain to an extent. However, we advise you take your rug to a professional to get it properly dried. Leaving a rug to stay wet for prolong periods, you run the risk of it growing mouldy.
If the carpet or rug was wet for more than 48 hours, regardless of the source of the water, general EPA/FEMA/CDC guidelines recommend removal and replacement.
Made from the cotton plant, cotton is an environmentally friendly material which is simple to produce and incredibly versatile. Cotton fibres are soft, strong and hold dyes very effectively. These characteristics make cotton a fantastic material for rugs, especially rug designs with intricate patterns and detail.
Cotton rugs have always been a popular choice of rugs for home décor. They warm up and add color to your home; they are washable and easy to clean.
While not as durable as wool or polypropylene, cotton rugs are very easy to clean. If you have a small cotton rug you can simply throw it in a washing machine and let it air dry in the sun to kill odor-causing bacteria. If your cotton rug is on the larger side, you can spot and steam clean your rug.