Lets talk rainsheets

[MissusS]

My blanket collection is rather versatile when considering winter weights (I live in the Canadian prairies… this is a very important component of my horse wardrobe!). I have the rambo duo bundle (100g outer, 100 and 300g liners - size 78), a 200g amigo blanket, a 400g amigo blanket (both size 81), and a unknown brand 300g (no hood, size 84) worst-case back-up blanket (this one came with the horse from the previous owner).

I have a weatherbeeta fly sheet for the summer (again, with hood, 78) that we use pretty sparingly in the height of summer as it’s a real challenge to balance between bug protection and over heating.

My current rainsheet needs to be replaced before spring arrives (late march, early april if we are lucky!). I’ve got a wild patterned Ponyo rain sheet that makes me grin whenever I use it… but alas the waterproofing failed, and I wasn’t able to revive it with the spray-on product. Add to that, one of the metal snaps to attach the hood broke and while I could replace it I am realizing that I much prefer velcro as a lower risk option (that broken metal is SHARP).

I don’t want to break the bank necessarily because the rain sheet gets used only for a handful of days in spring and fall. Mare runs on the warmer side, so 0g is preferred. I am thinking about trying out the Lemieux Arika:

Or if I can swing it (since they only ship in the US I’d need to sweet talk my brother into getting it to me) the Bow Horse when it comes back in stock in 78:

I can always go with good old horseware but when I tried their flysheets last summer the sizing was all over the map, and I know others have had problems with waterproofing.

What is your favourite rainsheet? I’d love some recommendations!

[LCDR]

To me the term rain sheet and zero insulation turnout blanket are the same. I use Weatherbeeta ComFiTec. Generously sized, large tail flaps, and models mainly depend as far as I can tell, on the fastening system used at the chest only. Straps.and buckles are least expensive, snaps in the middle cost range, and a single hidden fastener plate on the more expensive ones.

The Weatherbeeta web site currently has a 70 percent off sale on many models right now. End of winter sales are when I accumulate all my backups and spares. Are you dead set on neck covers?

The Official WeatherBeeta Website | Order Online | Quality, Comfort, &...

[outerbanks77]

I can’t fully vouch for the waterproofness, because we don’t get a ton of rain where I live, but I like Shires. They seem to fit and are well made, for a good price. I haven’t tried their lower line, but the mid and upper line ones I’ve had have been really nice.

Also recently bought a 100 gram Horze turnout and like it so far. I would say it runs a bit small, so size up if your horse is in between-ish.

[rulex]

PNW here, my horse lives in a rain sheet for a good chunk of the year. I have a Rhino thats still going strong on its 5th year and no issues with the waterproofing. The tail cord snap broke after the first season and the color has faded, but otherwise it still does its job which is to keep my horse dry.

I have a Bucas as a backup sheet, but have not really needed to reach for it.

I’m salty on LeMieux, while I haven’t bought any of their blankets my last two apparel purchases from them had stitching coming apart after less than a couple of uses and their customer service is non existent. Very disappointing as I used to really like their products.

[RedHorses]

Hands down Rhino for waterproofing longevity. My horses live out, and get extensive use out of their rainsheets. Rhino is the best one I’ve had* capable of holding up to years of use.

*Shedrow, Weatherbeeta, Rambo, Rhino, Amigo, Canadian Horsewear

[Moss]

I personally like Horseware Ireland. I can’t control myself when it comes to buying crap for my horse, so I have the Amigo Hero, Amigo Bravo, and the Rambo Autumn, and I like all three for rain protection during spring and summer, as well as sleet in the early Autumn months when the seasons change.

I do clean them yearly and then waterproof them with Scotchgard Water Shield. My Hero sheet is going on three years, and it’s still in great shape. I should note that my horse is very, very destructive-- she turned one of her fly sheets into ribbons in less than twenty-four hours-- and all three of these sheets are still in great shape and waterproof.

I know several people at my barn like Weatherbeeta, but I know my horse would destroy a Weatherbeeta sheet.

I used to like Schneider’s (not sure if they ship to Canada), but I noticed the quality for the price has really gone down. My old Schneider’s from previous horses held up, but then I bought a new rain sheet and it soaked through.

I’ve heard really good things about Bucas, but I think my twenty rugs for one horse is enough.

[goodhors]

I used the Amigo rainsheets on the old horse to prevent chills in the constant wind here. They fit him well, stayed in place during movement and rolling. They washed well using the hunter’s no-smell liquid detergent for technical fabrics. Orange bottle at Walmart or Dunham Sporting Goods stores. One rainsheet to a load in a top load machine, large load setting, cold water, hang to dry.

I had two that I alternated on him, in case one was not dry by morning. They came off at night when he was stalled. The yearling ripped one on the rump, which I fixed with Gorilla tape. It stayed waterproof, tape lasted a year+, when I just replaced the tape to keep it waterproofed. Old horse got moved in with the mares, no more blanket damage!

Body style of horse affects fit, how well the rainsheet or blankets stay in place. My horse was deep bodied, good withers, well-filled out, broad chested. He just “fits” all the Rambo, Horseware, Amigo patterns.

[Displaced_Yankee]

I have the Lemieux Arika you have pictured. Mine is at least 3 years old. I don’t …think… its older than that.

Anywho it has held up very well! There is some tarnish on the hardware but that does not affect it’s use in anyway. I do have mine laundered and waterproofed by the horse blanket ladies here each summer. I think that has helped. The price was not bad considering that it comes with a removable hood.

I am in NC and my horse is unclipped. Use is primarily against the cold and wet days, so not daily use from October-April. I have gone and purchased the 200g liner for the odd cold snap and/or snow. If it gets even colder I put the hood on to keep some of his neck covered. He is mostly turned out alone…so cannot speak to the durability during play.

Previously I had him in the Amigo Bravo (medium) and Amigo Wug (sheet). I would say that the fit is VERY similar.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’ve got an amigo rain sheet with built in neck that I love. Very waterproof and feather weight. To me a standard no fill sheet is a heavier weight than something that’s truly just designed for just water protection.

[Pico_Banana]

I’m a pretty die hard Horseware fan. I think they all fit great and the waterproofing is excellent. My gelding probably stood outside for close to 24 hours yesterday in wet snow/rain and was still dry when I insisted that I change his blanket.

I do love the Amigos for their cost effectiveness (can one say that about a horse blanket?) but the one downside is that they are heavy. If you can swing the extra cost, go for a rhino or Rambo.

[Mcl1]

If you are looking for a real budget option, I have had surprisingly good luck with the Rugged Ride sheets and blankets from Chick’s saddlery. Navigating the website can be a pain because you have to sort through various out of stock items, but I got a full set of blankets (sheet, medium weight, heavyweight) for my guy for <$200 total. I have only had them one year but they are waterproof and have withstood my mustang using them to pull his brother around constantly.

[NWreader]

I have two of the Lemieux Arika sheets and am super impressed with them so far. My mares are turned out 8am-8pm in all sorts of weather, and the waterproofing on these things has been amazing. Dumping rain for hours at a time and they’ll come in nice and dry underneath. I also really like the extended belly, it helps help them dry when splashing and playing in the puddles. My only complaint is I wished they came in bigger sizes for my other horse.

[LCDR]

Lemieux Arika Storm-Tec Featherweight Rainsheets are on sale at Old Mill Saddlery website for $136. I just ordered two a few minutes ago.

[MissusS]

I bopped over to the website and with currency conversion, shipping, and import/duties it ends up being just as much as a regular priced one from Greenhawk here.

I did go over to the Greenhawk website to see if they also had them on sale (I’ve been watching consistently ever since I DIDN’T buy it on sale for boxing day) and the lemieux wasn’t but the Rambo Wug was 40% off. I have not tried the Wug line on my mare, so I bought a 78 and 81 to try and will return whatever doesn’t work.

It’s more money than I wanted to spend, but apparently I allow myself to fall victim to “good deals” lol

Fingers crossed that one of the two fits my mare. And I’m still going to keep watching for a sale on the lemieux featerhweight.

[sparkygrace]

I just bought a Rugged Ride on sale from Chick’s Haven’t used it yet. Right now, my horse is wearing a five-year-old Shires that has stood up to our rainy PNW. It is still waterproof even after a number of washes. Last year, I bought a couple of other blankets from Chick’s and they were nice. All of them are sheets, 1200 denier.

[rulex]

@MissusS

the Rambo Wug was 40% off

Well I had to go check that sale out because even though I don’t need a new rain sheet that seems like a good deal. Luckily they are sold out of the size I need.

I’d like to try the Wug as I rarely use the detachable hood so it seems like a nice in between with a little more coverage than a regular sheet.

[MissusS]

Did you see they have it in both 0g and 50g? were both out in your size? < /enabling>

[fanfayre]

@MissusS, I too was looking at that sale, and my size was also out. (I was contemplating buying the next size up and had it in my cart, just hadn’t checked out).
But….,while I was buying feed yesterday there was a brand in the feed store called Canadian Horsewear that looked very similar to the Wug, in a 50g and 0g that, even full price was about 40% of the Wug, and best part is it WAS ON SALE
It appears many (Canadian) tack stores have them between 15 and 25% off right now
If you’re still looking
(Yes, I bought 1 of the 50g to add to my now-retired guy’s collection )