Top Tips To Keep Your Turnout Rug In Good Nic

Our WeatherBeeta rugs are extremely durable and made to last, but to ensure they last longer here’s some helpful tips and tricks to keep your rug in tip top condition.

It’s always best to check over your turnout rug and ensure there are no repairs needed before storing it away for the warmer months. Check for any broken leg straps, surcingles and buckles. We’ve made it easy so you can buy any replacement rug accessories  separately online and in-store. It’s also a good idea to check for any holes or tears which may have occurred over the season, this way you can assess and organize for these to get repaired with plenty of time to spare, ready for the next winter season.

For a relatively quick and easy way to clean your rug, there’s nothing better than the good old-fashioned brush. We recommend a soft bristle brush, mild soap and warm water to gently brush off any excess dirt, mud and hair. Once you are satisfied most of the mud has been removed; the rug should be hung over a fence to dry.

For those really dirty “mud pigs” that always manage to coat their rugs in mud, you can even wash your rug in a front loader washing machine. Top loader washing machines are not recommended as the agitator can ruin the coating on the rug.
To do so, remove all excess dirt, mud and hair from your rug using the process above, and place in a mesh bag which contains all of the straps and buckles. This will help protect them from being damaged and help protect your washing machine.
Remove all detergent build up from your detergent dispenser, and machine wash your rug on a delicate cycle less than 30° Celsius, using a mild soap or rug cleaning wash, such as Nikwax Rug Wash- always follow the manufacturers washing instructions.
Make sure to always line dry your WeatherBeeta rug - do not tumble dry.

Once your rug is clean and dry, it's best to store it somewhere it can stay that way. Avoid leaving your winter turnout rug exposed to the hot sun over spring and summer as this can compromise the coating.
All WeatherBeeta synthetic turnout rugs come in a reusable storage bag, we recommend holding on to these to use again for your rugs or for storing other gear. Alternatively you could buy one of our WeatherBeeta Rug Storage Bags.

To keep your rug in the best possible condition on the horse, we recommend using a cotton, summer sheet or liner underneath your turnout rug when on your horse. This can help to reduce buildup of dirt, hair and sweat that would otherwise attach itself to the inner lining of the turnout rug. This will help to create a barrier between the turnout rug and horses skin, with a layer that can be much more easily washed over winter.

WeatherBeeta coats their rugs with a waterproof and breathable membrane on the inside of the turnout fabric, as well as a water repellent coating on the outside of the turnout material. As the rug is outside and exposed to the elements, the durability of the coating on the outside can wear overtime. To help the longevity of your rug, it’s best to use a water-proofer on the outside of your rug after a few winter seasons, or when you feel the rug isn’t holding up to rain as it once did. Use a waterproofer such as Equinade Rug Seal and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

WeatherBeeta are so confident that you will love your turnout rug that they offer a 3 year warranty on the waterproofness, breathability and hardware of every turnout rug.

Horseland is the rug specialist, with the biggest range, best brands and best value. From nylon turnout rugs for the southern cold states to breathable canvas rugs for the northern wet states, we’re proud to offer the largest variety of horse rugs in Australia to keep your horse happy and protected all year round. Head into your local Horseland store or browse our full range of rugs online.