Differences between all the Horseware brands (Hero, Bravo etc)?

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soloequestrian

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Looking for a Rhino lightweight original, but I'm wondering if one of these newfangled brands is as good? I find the Mios are quite leaky and also don't let a damp horse dry off, but haven't tried the other versions of Amigo.
Also wondering, if I do go down the Rhino route, is it worth paying the bit extra for a Rambo or is there little difference?
Thanks in advance!
 
I think the mios are only filled to the side of the horse , the amigos are 600 denier and the rhinos are higher denier and the Rambos have three stomach straps ?

I personally won't use anything under 1000d and not a PE rug.
 
Pocketr@cket said:
I think the mios are only filled to the side of the horse , the amigos are 600 denier and the rhinos are higher denier and the Rambos have three stomach straps ?

I personally won't use anything under 1000d and not a PE rug.
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I have a 3 year old PE... NO leakage or rips at all....
 
soloequestrian said:
Thanks, but does anyone know about the Horseware rugs? Not interested in PE!
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Dont like fit of some PE ones either...anywho...

Rambo- the best strongest
Rhino- still very good
Amigo- still good, brilliant value however beware of the 600 denier ones as not as strong
Mio- cheap. Ok for stables etc becasue fit well but are not built to last
 
I have had Rambo for 18 years, still waterproof, Rhino for 15 years, still waterproof, and Amigo for 5 years, still waterproof.

I tried a couple of other brands, including PE and Fal Pro (as expensive as Rambo), all leaked quite quickly.

The Amigo does feel a lot cheaper.

Next time I would go for Rhino. Does not feel as nice as a Rambo, but well up for the job.
 
Mio's very much basic end. Mine hasn't leaked, and I have had it 3 years, it also is breathable as I do put it on after washing off, and she dries well. Hero is the next one up, and think I am going for this one this time, as it is what the others already have, and they have lasted a long time. The Bravo is higher denier again I think, but there doesn't seem to be a huge difference otherwise.
I also have a rhino lightweight that is about 13 years old. It has been brilliant. That said I have been less impressed with rhino and Rambo in recent years as they appear to all be made in China now, when they first moved the rhino production the quality went down visibly, I was a stockist at the time, and raised it with their agent, but they didn't really care.
Now I would buy amigo, or if going more expensive Fal, as they have moved production back to the UK.
 
I use Rhino rugs, the Amigo and Mio's are not a patch on them.

If money no object then I would buy the Rambo but for value for money and quality imho you can't beat the Rhino's :)
 
I have a couple of the 1200d Amigos (I think they are called Bravos these days) and they are good rugs, standing up to torrential rain IME. I do agree that the Rhinos are even better and that the Rambos are the creme de la creme of Horseware's range.

The only thing that I would change about HW rugs is that they are fillet string only. When it's really windy here, I have to use rugs with legstraps.
 
I have to say I find buying anything other than Rambos ends up being a false economy. I quite often keep an eye on eBay and buy up good second hand Rambos as they crop up. Now got more than I need to may have to curb my enthusiasm!!
 
I use the Amigo Bravo and Amigo Hero rugs. Bravo's are 1200d and fantastic for winter, Hero's are 600d and I only use them as summer shower turnouts. I do like the liner system for the Bravo's, it's very handy for changable winter weather and the liners are quick to wash/dry, so keeps the ponies coat hygienic and fresh.

I wouldn't touch the Mio's, I don't think they are good quality and they are prone to slipping.
 
Rambo are the kings of the Horseware brand. I've got a 1993 turnout still going strong. I would rather pick then up secondhand on eBay than buy a brand new inferior quality rug.
 
ihatework said:
I have to say I find buying anything other than Rambos ends up being a false economy. I quite often keep an eye on eBay and buy up good second hand Rambos as they crop up. Now got more than I need to may have to curb my enthusiasm!!
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me too :) My horses are very well dressed!

I did have a Rhino a good while back, it was fine in terms of waterproofness but eventually the outer layer seemed to perish. Weird. It was a LW turnout. Rambo all the way now, I have some ancient ones still going strong with just an annual hose down by me. the new ones are exceptionally well designed and I love the breakaway surcingles, having one rug destroyer!
 
We have Rambos for winter rugs, the 1200D is very good as our 2 trash rugs and a couple of Amigo lightweight summer sheets
 
My horse has a Rambo 100g and a Rhino light weight.
I'd say both are really tough and strong and both I rely on 100% to keep my horse dry in the heaviest rain so yes if the third surcingle and little features like that are not important to you I would say the Rhino as I don't see that the Rambo is worth THAT much extra!
 
Mios are really naff. One of my horses trashed it in a night- had a roll and busted the belly straps. Other horse has amigo stable rugs and they have been really good- great fit too on a narrow tb. Bought a Rambo optimo second hand a few months ago and has been great so far but not had a winter of it yet- it does come up big though looks like a maxi dress on the poor horse (tb)! Aside from depth seems to fit well as doesn't budge when he farts around in the field
 
I do see a big difference in quality between the Rhino and the Rambo. I bought a couple of Rhino turnouts and a couple of Rambo turnouts last year and the straps have ended up ripping off both of the Rhinos. My horse is not really a rug wrecker so I was disappointed. I don't think I would buy another and would just pay the extra for the Rambo.
 
I have Amigo Bravo 1200D and they really are pretty tough. Keep him bone dry in heaviest rain and also dry through from inside so I can chuck one over even if he's wet (bad owner). Field is fenced with wire and they stand up to reaching over that in search of the BETTER GRASS over the fence.

Just beware of Horseware customer service if you do have a problem - I thought the neck was included with one (confusing packaging) and they clearly model themselves on Ryanair!
 
turnbuckle said:
I have Amigo Bravo 1200D and they really are pretty tough. Keep him bone dry in heaviest rain and also dry through from inside so I can chuck one over even if he's wet (bad owner). Field is fenced with wire and they stand up to reaching over that in search of the BETTER GRASS over the fence.

Just beware of Horseware customer service if you do have a problem - I thought the neck was included with one (confusing packaging) and they clearly model themselves on Ryanair!
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Kinda agree with this! I once had a Rambo fly rug fall apart st the seams (literally, definitely not horse damage) after weeks and they refused to replace it. I still have it 7 years on but only because I had a fab repair lady who strengthened it all.
Currently doing battle on my second set of fly boots in weeks!
 
Thanks everyone. From what I can see, the Bravos don't seem much cheaper than the Rhinos anyway, so will keep looking for Rhino or Rambo.
 
Apart from what others have already said, obviously the XL versions of the Hero and Bravo are more ideally suited to horses who need a generous cut around the neck area and an extra deep drop at the belly area for more coverage. Ideal for warmbloods and draughts. I think the 'normal' versions of the Hero (not XL) also has more belly coverage.
 
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