This rug is our most popular on the range and we have had amazing reviews about it. We responded to your e-mail by return to see if we could assist but didn't hear back from you.
Any fly rug, even those more expensive specialist types which have elastic at legs, and more coverage cannot keep all pests out. Rugs such as this which don't have the elasticated legs etc of course will not give full protection as pests can get in under the tail flap, under the belly, at shoulder gussets etc especially when they move which will allow more gaps. This rug is transparent so any flies etc that have got in will be more visible.
With regard to the fabric yes it is stiffer than some of our other fabrics - it is 100% nylon diamond weave and had you not liked the fabric of the rug then you could have sent it back for a refund or exchange to one of the other fabrics.