LeMieux Arika 600D Ripstop Turnout Rug Alpine

Choose the fill according to the weather, your horse's coat and whether it is clipped. Roughly: 0g as rain protection on mild, wet days, 50g for chilly days in spring and autumn, 100g and 200g when your horse clearly needs more warmth. Breed, condition, wind and humidity all play a part, so if in doubt, feel under the rug to check that your horse is neither sweating nor cold.

Adjust the cross surcingles and leg straps so that the rug does not slip but does not pinch anywhere either. For the first few days, check that the rug sits clear of the withers and that no rubbing appears at the shoulders or chest.

Machine wash cold and do not use bleach. The tumble-drying advice differs by fill weight, so always follow the care label in the rug.

The Arika Ripstop in Alpine suits owners who want a lightweight, tough turnout rug and prefer to choose the fill themselves. Use it from spring to autumn, and with 200g on colder days too, whatever your discipline: dressage, showjumping, eventing or hacking. At Maddelin we stock it from 95/145/4.9 to 160/215/7.0.

If you are looking for the same rug for a pony or cob, take a look at the LeMieux Arika Ripstop in Fondant, which we stock in smaller sizes. If your horse needs more than 200g, or you want a heavier outer fabric, the LeMieux Arika Storm-Tek in 1200 denier, up to 350g, is the alternative.

Put the rug on and fasten the T-bar front closure first. Then do up the cross surcingles and finally the elasticated leg straps; the tail cord sits under the tail. Take it off in reverse order. Machine wash cold, without bleach. The 0g must not be tumble dried, the 200g may be, on cool air; for the 50g and 100g, follow the care label.

Which fill should I choose?
That depends on the weather, your horse's coat and whether it is clipped. The 0g only protects against rain, the 50g adds a thin layer, the 100g and 200g give more warmth. Outer fabric, cut and closures are the same on all four.

Is this turnout rug waterproof?
Yes. The 600 denier ripstop has a hydrostatic head of 10,000 mm and the spine is seamless, so water cannot get in through a seam along the back. The fabric is breathable too.

What does 600D ripstop mean?
600D stands for 600 denier, a measure of how heavy the yarn is. Ripstop is a weave with reinforced threads in a grid, so a tear spreads less easily.

How do I read a size such as 145/195/6.6?
The middle number is the length in cm, the last the LeMieux size in feet and inches: 6.6 stands for 6'6".

Does it come with a neck cover?
Yes. This Arika Ripstop comes with a detachable neck cover, so you can use the rug with or without it.

Can I use a liner underneath?
Yes. The rug has attachment points at the neck and rear for the Arika liner system.

Can the rug be tumble dried?
Not the 0g. The 200g can be, on cool air. For the 50g and 100g it is not specified; follow the care label. Washing is a cold machine wash, without bleach.

• The LeMieux Arika Ripstop in Alpine is a waterproof, breathable turnout rug in 600 denier ripstop.
• At Maddelin you choose between 0g, 50g, 100g and 200g fill.
• The hydrostatic head is 10,000 mm and the spine is seamless.
• The thermobonded fill does not shift or clump, even when wet.
• The T-bar front closure set at 45° and the anti-static shoulder lining limit pressure on the chest and shoulders.
• Cross surcingles, elasticated leg straps and a PVC-coated tail cord keep the rug in place.
• Available from 95/145/4.9 to 160/215/7.0.