This past winter I bought a turnout sheet as a back up/top layer for my mare for when her main blankets needed to dry. We noticed that there was sometimes some odd dampness under the turnout but wrote it off as maybe she got snow through the neck opening rolling. Did the normal end-of-season wash and waterproof and stored everything in the (finished) basement during the summer. Pulled the turnout back out last week in anticipation of a deluge. 12 hours of rain exposure and she was damp/wet on her shoulders, back, and haunches with matching wet spots on the underside of the sheet. The manufacturer just recommended buying their re-waterproofing spray but that’s it (no warranty on the waterproofing). If the sheet is less than a year old, had waterproofing this spring, and still has damp issues - is it even worth keeping around? Someone joked that I now have a lovely stable sheet, and I’m worried they’re right (for the pasture-boarded mare…)
This happened to me with Schneider’s sheets. They actually replaced two that were performing this way, and the replacements did the same thing. No one else seems to have this issue with Schneider’s, so maybe my horses just emit some sort of anti-waterproofing magical spell from under their sheets 
Only that brand though, never had the same problem with any of their Horseware sheets or blankets.
Since I’m terrible about throwing things away, I’ve kept these sheets around as backups which sometimes need to be pressed into service during long stretches of difficult winter weather. They can layer under something else, or be useful on a day when there’s no precipitation but lots of wind.
The problem sheet is a Schneiders too! From the viking line. Shame because I like how long the drop is - when she laid down it was like an insulated skirt. No problem with Horseware or Smartpak blankets, just Schneiders.
Oh that’s so funny! I really thought I was the only person in the world that had issues with Schneider’s! I do really like the fit, but I just couldn’t handle damp horses living outside 24/7 in New England weather. The company was perfectly wonderful to work with, honored the warranty when I contacted them with the problem (two separate times), shipped replacements quickly, etc. But the result was still the same- sad, soggy horses.
Interesting - I have a Schneiders turnout sheet from last year that I just found was NOT waterproof either! After a short bout in the rain last week I came out to find the whole thing damp all the way through. So far I am not impressed as I got it at the end of spring last year so it hasn’t even been used a full season.
I have a Schneiders sheet too, from the viking line, that doesn’t seem to be waterproof either. Also purchased last spring
Mine were from several years ago, probably back in 2018, and the VTek turnouts. Definitely weren’t cheap!
Same, my one Schneider’s wasn’t waterproof even with zero washing!!!
what did you use/how did you apply it?
I had them washed professionally but I believe they use wash-in. My other blankets were washed/rewaterproofed at the same time, and they’re fine.
“Weatherbeeta.” Nuff said.
Easy way to check water resistance is to flop the turnout over a stall panel and hit it with a blast from a garden hose. You should be able to soak the shell 'til your hearts content, and the insulation/lining should remain dry. If it don’t pass the test, it’s of questionable value. Scotchguard will make it water resistant, but not for very long; a couple of wettings; that’s about it.
Star Bright marine waterproofing has so far been amazing. Previously I’ve used the stuff from Walmart with the bright orange cap, I never remember its name. It’s been good, but a hard enough, long enough rain would still have some leaks
So far this new stuff has gone through the drenching from TS Ian, and water is literally still beading off it. It’s a cold rain today, drizzling now but supposedly turning into a steady downpour for most of the rest of the day. I expect good things.
I’ve also had issues with Schneider’s not being waterproof. I bought some of their top of the line and most expensive blankets only to be disappointed. This was many years ago, so I thought maybe they had improved and recently ordered one for my young horse, but I may try to find something different now.
I had an issue with a Weatherbeeta a few years back too, just that one though, so possibly a fluke. Never had an issue with Horseware. It can be so frustrating, especially when they aren’t cheap so you expect decent quality and for the sheet to perform as stated on the label.
I’ll have to try this. The orange cap Atsko worked good but did require 2 coats sometimes.
Anything better is a real winner!
@JB I want to know more about your waterproofing method! Do you wash with Nikwax Rug Wash (or special soap) first?
I just bought 1 gal of the wash-in Nikwax Rug Proof (dang it!). Should I apply the Star Brite after the wash-in treatment?
I have purchased 4 different Schneider blankets and had issues with the waterproofing on 3/4. I sent two back and the other one used the Nikwax waterproofing. It semi worked.
I used to take them to a laundromat and use a wash-in waterproofing cleaner (I forget which now), or a non-detergent soap that wouldn’t (totally) ruin whatever waterproofing was there. But now, TBH, since mine are old enough, and have clearly lost their original waterproofing, I hose down, scrub with a stiff brush, let it soak for a bit, hose and scrub again, let dry, and then waterproof again. They’re never coming CLEAN again, red clay permastain, but I just get all the red clay out that’s sitting on top.
The Walmart waterproofing would last a good year, and now I will see how the Star Bright holds up this Winter which, according to the Almanac, should get quite a workout LOL
I’ve never had good luck with rewaterproofing sheets/blankets. I need to know a sheet is waterproof when I put it on a fragile 30 year old in a 12 hour soaking rainstorm.
