Suitability of a horse/pony rug will vary for each individual horse and the rugs desired purpose.

The following information is offered as an explanation of the figures and specifications often quoted to advertise rug ‘quality’ or ‘strength’. It is our experience that the major considerations when talking about the quality and durability of horse rugs is:

• How the rug fits your horse and how securely it stays in place,
• The ability for the rugs fastening systems to adjust to suit your horse,
• The quality of the fastening systems fitted to the rug,
• The quality and quantity of the stitching used to construct the rug and fit the fastening systems.
• The trade off for higher denier and gsm is a heavier and stiffer fabric which can compromise the horses comfort in certain conditions.

Keeping the horses area clear of sharp or protruding objects and correct rug maintenance are also
critical to the longevity of the rug.

Many rug manufacturers/suppliers will have you believe their rug is the ‘best’, ‘longest lasting’, ‘strongest’, ‘most comfortable’, ‘best fitting’ etc and they will quote a number of specifications and features of the rug and use terminology and figures to convince you of this. The truth is that horses come in many different shapes, sizes, and temperaments. The areas in which they are kept varies significantly in regards to weather, terrain, fencing, stabled/unstabled, number of horses sharing area etc. Ultimately the suitability of a horse rug will vary for each individual horse and the rugs desired purpose. The following information is offered as an explanation of the figures and specifications often quoted to advertise rug ‘quality’ or ‘strength’.

The basic terminology

What is denier and gsm and what does it all mean?

Denier is a unit of weight by which yarn is measured. The denier is equal to the weight in grams of 9000 meters of the yarn. So a rug described as being 1200 denier has been manufactured from fabric produced using 1200 denier yarn. Many rug suppliers use this measurement as the sole gauge of the strength and durability of their rugs. It is often claimed that a 1200 denier rug is stronger and more durable than a 600 denier rug.

As a general rule of thumb a 1200 denier yarn will be thicker than a 600 denier yarn provided the yarns are made of the same type of fiber. That is a 1200 denier yarn will be thicker than a 600 denier yarn. But does this also mean that the 1200 denier is stronger? Again as a general rule of thumb this would be true. But it is also depend on how the fibers are spun to form the yarn. There are several different processes commonly used. It is also depend on the quality of fiber. A longer fiber length will result in a stronger yarn. As cotton is a natural product its fibers can vary greatly in length. Synthetic fibers such as polyester can be produced in longer lengths making the spun yarn stronger.

Another measure commonly quoted is the gsm of the fabric. GSM mean’s weight of 1 square meter fabric in grams. So to recap, denier refers to the weight of the yarn. The yarn is woven to produce the fabric which is measured in GSM. Again there are several methods commonly used to weave fabrics. A 600 denier yarn will produce different fabric weights depending on how tightly it is woven and what method is used.

Does a greater GSM necessarily mean that the fabric is ‘stronger’ and more ‘durable’?

Many rug suppliers would have you believe that this is the case. It is important to note that gsm is simply a measure of weight of the fabric. The type of yarn used, how it is spun, the method used to weave the yarn into fabric and the type of weave are all critical factors which also need to be considered when promoting the suitability of a fabric for its application.

When talking about horse rugs it will not matter what denier the yarn or gsm the fabric if the rug comes into forceful contact with a sharp object (pointy tree branch, barbed wire fence, sharp edge of a star picket etc) it is likely that it will cut the fabric. If the fabric remains caught on the sharp object the cut will tear along the weave of the fabric until the horse stops pulling (not likely) or until the fabric is released from the sharp object. I hear some people say ‘but I have a ripstop rug’. This also requires some clarification. Ripstop fabrics are woven fabrics using a special reinforcing technique that makes them resistant to tearing and ripping. (It does not mean the fabric CANNOT rip or tear.) During weaving, (thick) reinforcement yarns are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern. Advantages of ripstop are the favourable strength-to weight ratio and that small tears can not easily spread.

Rein Supreme stands behind its products and encourages customers to call and discuss any aspect of their decision and/or selection of a rug suitable for their animal.