Let's start with the fabric weights, so you understand the quality of the fabric you are purchasing.
Fabric Weights & Deniers :
Denier
When it comes to waterproof Turnout Horse Rugs, the weave and weight of the fabric is referred to as the denier.
Denier is a measure of the linear density, or weight per unit length, of a yarn, essentially the higher the denier number the stronger the material. Commonly in 600D, 900D and 1200D the higher the number the stronger the material & more intended for outdoor usage. Denier is usually used when describing waterproof rug fabric.GSM
GSM refers to the weight of the fabric (Grams per square meter). Excluding the denier rugs above, just about all other rug fabrics are quoted in GSM. Lightweight rugs, like Flag, will be around 150gsm. Ripstop Polycotton Paddock rugs will between 220-290gsm . Light weight canvas starts at around 480 gsm. Wool and Polar fleece can be anywhere from 220gsm to 320gsm.
We use 280 to 290GSM in all our polycotton combos, which offers high strength, durability and breathability. The higher the GSM the heavier/stronger the fabric is.Ounces (Oz)
Just to be confusing, canvas rugs are generally quoted in imperial weights, like 16 Oz. 16 Oz equates to about 510gsm, and is considered a medium weight canvas. Most canvas wont exceed 22oz, as after that it is just to heavy to haul onto a horse.
Common Rug Styles
Combo Rug
Combo Rugs refer to rugs that combine both a neck rug and body rug. The neck rug is permanently attached.Attached Hood Combo
Combo Rugs refer to rugs that combines a standard body rug with a permanently attached hood.Rug & Hood Set
Combo Rugs refer to rugs that combines a standard rug with a separate hood.Standard Rug
A basic rug style with standard neckline - no neck rug or hood
Common Rug Fabrics
Polycotton Ripstop Summer Sheet / Ripstop Paddock Rugs
A summer sheet is generally a cotton or polyester blend rug that often incorporates ripstop. It’s a general all purpose rug that keeps the sun off your horses coat, prevents the coat from fading while helping to keep your horses coat clean and short. Often used year round an as under rugs in Winter.
We use dual weave Diamond ripstop across all our Polycotton Ripstop Range. Why diamond weave? Because it runs diagonally across the fabric weave therefore it provides much better durability and strength. We also use only polyester/cotton blends. Generally we use a 75% Polyester to 25% cotton. Polyester provides the strength and the cotton gives breathability which keeps the fabric cool. If you have a higher cotton content, rugs shrink and begin to loose strength - the cost also goes up. A majority of our competitors now use 100% polyester fabrics - because its cheaper, but not the best for your horse!
All our fabrics are made especially for us on automated computerized tensioned looms. You wont be able to part the fibres in our ripstop fabrics because of this. Many cheap imports from India, are made on manual tensioned looms - the fabric looks the same, but when you start pulling at the weave you will be able to part the weave (usually only in one direct). This make a big difference to the life of your rug.
We recommend only diamond weave ripstop for its strength and durability.
Fly Sheet/Fly Rug
A Fly Sheet or Fly Rug is a mesh rug which offers protection from the harsh sun, allows the breeze to pass thru and keeps flies and insects away from your horse during the summer. Not all mesh is created equally.
Fly mesh can vary from lightweight brittle and stiff fabric to something that resembles shade cloth at the other extreme. We use a 410gsm mesh which is strong (many others use a 210gsm), but cool with a small weave to keep most of the insects at bay. At Caribu we use a extra strong measure to stand up to the strains of itchy horses.Flag Rugs
A very lightweight open weave cotton rug similar to cheese cloth - very cool, ideal in very hot climates - best used in stables or yards as the rugs are not strong and can be easily destroyed on the wrong horse. GSM is usually 140 to 170gsm.
Waterproof Turnout , Synthetic Rugs or Rain sheets
Used for wet weather protection . This type of rug should always be clearly marked as being waterproof. Most rugs of this style are made from Nylon or Polyester with a waterproof membrane on the underside of the fabric. Modern coatings & treatments often allow this type of rug to be breathable as well as providing weather protection. (many cheaper fabrics are not breathable.)
We only use 1200 Denier fabrics in all our rugs. Many manufactures have reverted to using 600Denier, because its cheaper - but the rugs just don't last. Likewise some manufactures offer 1680 Denier - in our opinion while these rugs are strong, the fabrics often have issues with waterproofing and breathability, the other downside is good 1680 denier is out of most peoples budget.
We recommend 1200 Deniers. A 1200 denier rug will cost you around 10% more than a 600Denier - but you will get twice the life from it.
Turnouts are also available with linings for added warmth or without linings - often referred to as unlined rain sheets refer to our waterproof ratings for detailed information.Wool Rugs
Wool rugs are an ideal under rugs or stable rug in the cool months. Wool is a natural fibre and very breathable while also providing good insulation. It is also stronger than polar fleece and will last longer. Wool is usually a blend of wool and other fibres. A good wool rug will be at least 70% wool. Be careful with many rugs advertised as wool that may have a very low percentage of wool but be charging a full wool price! A thinner high percentage wool rug will provide better insulation than a thicker rug with a lower wool content.
Polar Fleece Horse Rugs
Polar fleece is very popular as an under rug, travel rug or stable rug in the cooler months. It doesn't have the same strength as wool, but is a compromise against price. Our Caribu polar fleece is a thick Anti-Pilling fleece that is 300gsm. Thinner fleece can flood the market , normally around the 220gsm. It may look the same - but will thin out very quickly. Always look for anti-pilling fleece for better performance.
Hybrids
Hybrids refer to a rug that uses two different fabric types. The most popular design is a polycotton ripstop with mesh in the skirts and neckline. These offer the best of both worlds - insect protection, high airflow and the benefit of polycotton which is easier on delicate horses's coats.
Caribu also does a Hybrid Rain sheet - with mesh in the skirts to improve airflow. A great idea in very humid climates.Show Rugs
Show rugs generally refer to polycotton or cotton rugs that don't include ripstop. Generally they will be popular colors and patterns and are ideal for shows or traveling. Not recommended for general paddock use because they don't have Ripstop threads in the fabric.
Canvas 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 22oz. Obviously the heavier the canvas - the longer the potential waterproofing. The downside is a 20 to 22 Oz canvas is extremely heavy/hot and not very practical in our milder Australian weather.
With Canvas, its important to understand how canvas has been waterproofed. See are waterproofing page for more detailed information.
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.