Combo rugs - pros and cons

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SCG

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My connie is having a small Irish clip tomorrow, he currently has a rainsheet on but thinking of getting this Weatherbeeta as only 100gm fill as he has a good thick coat http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:N4D...=clnk&gl=uk I do have a thicker 220gm mw if weather gets really cold but until it does think he'll be fine in the 100gm WB.

Can't decide whether combo or rug with separate neck cover is better, combo is so much cheaper but not as flexible as separate. He's going to be out as much as poss and is a good doer.

Any experiences with combos, mane rubs, pros/cons etc
 
I only buy combos now ( and only turnouts, no stable rugs). I have several different brands and not had any problems with rubbing. The pro's are that it helps to keep another bit clean and dry, they are warmer, particularly if you have clipped anything off the neck ( Whats an Irish clip...?showing my ignorance!). You can fold the neck back in the stable if think they might be too hot. Only con I can think of... more rug to wash...

I wouldn't / haven't bought any with detachable neck as previous experience was that they were fiddly and prone to things breaking, but I've heard good things about ones with zip, covered by a velcro line, sorry don't know what make.
 
Both mine were in WB combos last year, and both came out other side with manes! one of them is a haflinger with very long thick mane and the other has pulled mane.
I agree combo aren't as flexiable but I did sometimes find with neck cover if it was windy it would blow up and they move quite a bit
 
I also only ever buy combo rugs. Normally have Weatherbeetas because I like them and they fit the horse. I do get a small 'maneless' patch where the seam for the hood goes, but its the same as I got from the top of a standard rug, just a bit higher up the neck.

Have looked after other people with Rambo and Mark Todd ones and all the clips drove me crazy especially on the Mark Todd one.

The pros are I think:
1) Clean dry neck no matted mud in the mane.
2) Supposed to inhibit mane growth.
3) Warmer for the horse.
4) for the all in ones, easy to put on and off.
5) With mine seams to stop the rug slipping back as far.

Cons:
1) Hard to hang them to dry without the hood dragging on the floor.
2) That mane free patch.
3) For the detachable necks: Fiddly fittings and the mud can get in the gap (if the only clip on)
4) More expensive than standard rugs. (but I think its worth it).
 
Pros;

Cleaner horse
Can reduce stiffnes in the neck (guess they don't get a chill so easily?)
Matt-free mane (unless you have my horse that manages to get mud under the neck cover

Cons;

Heavier than standard rug
Rubs bald patch on mane
Can cause mane to fall on wrong side and act like a 'mane trainer'
Hard to hang and dry
More straps to try and do up on a cold morning when your hands are numb
 
Always have combos
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Don't like the detachable - whenever I see them in the fields, the end is flipped up
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. I like the fact that the rain just rolls straight down a combo
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.

Never had a problem with rubbed manes
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. We use them on cob, WB, NF, TB, Welshie cross
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.
 
My D has a hunter clip and is currently wearing the Landa Combo. All my turnouts are combos and personally I have never had a problem with any of them rubbing his mane, however I tend to ensure the rugs are cleaned, and I give his mane a liberally spray of conditioner ever few days
 
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