Spotlight on Canvas Rugs

Keeping horses comfortable is mostly about protecting them from the elements. In Winter, it is the wind chill factor which is greatly increased if the horse is wet or without any shelter.  In Summer, the suns beating rays land directly onto the horse and will make it difficult for nature to keep the horse cool. And in between seasons, it’s about keeping the horse comfortable in cold snaps, or autumn showers.  

It is important to remember, that synthetic rugs capture radiant heat and can act like car windows to greatly increase temperatures inside the car.  The outside temperature is magnified by 3-4 times the stated reading and even on a coolish day, sparkling Australian sunshine can cause overheating. 

Synthetic horse rugs can cause over-heating and make the horse uncomfortable, and sweat, leaving the horse damp and when the sun goes down this will make the horse wet and cold

Due to this, in some cases, the ideal rug is actually canvas. It is a natural woven fibre which breathes, does not overheat and yet provides protection from both the wind and the rain.

A canvas rug with a cosy wool lining is a tried-and-true favourite for many astute horse owners, with the wool lining also providing breathable warmth.

Canvas has been used for horse rugs for many generations, as it is a miracle fibre which swells when wet. The wet, tightly packed fibres make the canvas waterproof and keep the inside of the fabric (and the horse) dry. Canvas has been in use for many decades (I’m sure we can all remember our first canvas rugs!), and is actually the ideal choice for horses prone to itch and other hair and skin irritations.

TOP TIP: When you first purchase your canvas rug, before you put it on the horse, hang it on the fence and completely drench it with the hose. Then let it dry in the sun. This will allow those fibres to expand & settle which will greatly aid in your rug’s waterproofing ability!