Canvas Horse Rugs

Not all canvas is created equally and just because a rug its called canvas - don't always expect it to be waterproof. The fabric construction and waterproofing process can vary greatly.

Canvas can range from a 100% cotton blend, which is cool and breathable, to 100% Polyester which is very strong but also can be hot. You will see a huge range of Canvas rugs that fall between the two extremes and their performance will vary significantly. The type of weave and machine the fabric is manufactured on also plays a huge part in the success of the rugs ability to perform well.

Canvas comes in different thickness or weight, often from 11oz up to 24oz. Obviously the heavier the canvas - the longer the potential waterproofing.

With Canvas, its important to understand how canvas has been waterproofed. Their are three different processes used to waterproof canvas.

1) Wax Coated (90% of imported Canvas)
2) Immersion Treated (Caribu Canvas)
3) Immersion Forced (Dyna Proofed)

Immersion Forced. The good old fashioned Canvas, that some of us remember from days of old, is treated via an Immersion forced process. In simple terms, the fabric is submerged in a waterproofing agent and the agent is forced deep into the fabric. This is the best process for treating canvas, as if the canvas is scraped or torn, water wont wick through the fabric. It is also very expensive in today's market.

Immersion Treated. Similar to Immersion forced canvas. The fabric is submerged in a waterproofing agent. Both sides of the canvas is treated and it relies on the absorption of agent into the fabric. This process is much better than wax coating as it takes much longer to degrade.

Wax Coated waterproofing process is where the fabric is simply sprayed with a light wax coating. These rugs are at best, only light shower proof, and it's how most of the canvas rugs from overseas have been treated. We see many marketing wax sprayed rugs as 100% waterproof - you will be disappointed. The wax coating begins degrading extremely quickly when exposed to the elements.

Our canvas is proofed via an immersion treatment. (not wax coated) and delivers improved performance compared to the wax coated canvas which is flooding the market. We quote our canvas rugs as being Showerproof. They will outperform wax coated canvas and provide good protection. In our mind to call a rug waterproof, it has to be able to withstand extended or heavy wet weather and still keep your horses dry. (something our synthetic rugs and combos do very well) We are yet to find a Canvas rug that could be classed as 100% Waterproof. Any Canvas slowly absorbs the water over time, getting heavier, until it breaches the underside of the canvas. We see many retailers advertising their wax coated rugs as 100% waterproof - which is misleading. Likewise a heavier canvas rug will provide better longer tem waterproofing: ie: a 20oz canvas will outperform a 16oz canvas.

No Canvas rug is 100% waterproof. While the fabric may provide good waterproofing, water will enter via stitching lines along seams, necklines and around fittings (Over time the stitching will swell and the needle holes will clog up and reduce the issue). A high wool blend lining (not just felt) creates a membrane between the canvas and horses coat to extend water penetration. Canvas will absorb moisture from exposure to rain and from condensation condensation under the rug. If you use canvas in wet conditions, you will need to remove canvas regularly and allow to dry out completely.

Lined or Unlined Canvas? Unlined canvas rugs are great for warmer days and cooler nights, but horses in unlined canvas rugs often have high moisture transfer during very heavy rain or extended hours of rain, due to difference in the horses body heat and the cool canvas. Wool lined Canvas helps reduce this problem and creates a buffer. Like touching the inside of a tent when its raining, the tent will start to leak at the point you touched it.. A similar process happens where the rug makes contact with the horse, creating moisture transfer onto your horse. Amount of transfer depends on many factors like air temperature, humidity and body heat. The positive side of an unlined canvas is that they dry out very quickly when the rain stops often just from the horses body heat.

Canvas is ideal in many situations, it provides superior strength to synthetic rugs, is very breathable and is ideal for short bursts of wet weather protection.

We suggest for best performance that you apply a waterproofing treatment to your rug after the first 12mths to increase its life.