Fal, Busas or Premier Equine?

[maggie123]

I'm looking to buy a new medium weight turnout for my mare. I'm fed up of cheaper rugs rubbing or leaking so I'm hoping I can pick up a better quality rug in a sale after Christmas. I've had a Fal Slumberdown in the past (still got it as a slightly ripped and very old spare) and it fitted really well so I'm tempted by a new Fal, but other people have suggested a PE or a Bucas?

Any suggestions? Mare is a 6'9" with quite high withers and quite broad across the chest (ISH). She is unclipped and lives out 24/7 so I'm looking for something about 220 / 250 grams that she can wear all through the winter with an under rug if necessary. As she's grey I'd like something with wither a combi neck or a good neck cover so I can keep her as clean as possible!

I don't have a lot of money and will be looking for a bargain / end of line / nearly new second hand.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Mince pies and Baileys for anyone who helps

 

[Beausmate]

I like the PE rugs as they're really well made and they come up quite big, so my high withered, giraffe-like creature is thoroughly well covered and toasty. Never had a Fal, but my friend swore by them for her beefy IDxTB. As for Bucas, I have one of those for the aforementioned giraffe and it's just not deep enough, looks like he's wearing a miniskirt!

 

[Holly Hocks]

I can't speak for Fal or Bucas, but I do like Premier Equine. They are nice deep rugs and I have a lightweight one for my mare which even through monsoon like rain, never ever leaked - and even though it only has a fillet sting at the back instead of leg straps, it doesn't slip either. I've heard good stuff about Fal as well, but I don't have any personal experience.

I did get a great rug this year from Swish Equestrian - it is a 100g fill and I think I got it for about £25. I really rate it a lot although if your horse is a full up size in a rug then I think I would go a size bigger. My horse is 6'3 which is normally generous on her in other makes, but the Swish was only just right - any smaller and it would have been too small.

 

[maggie123]

Thats interesting about the Bucas, I've had a few rugs look a little like skirts on my girlie as shes quite deep. Maybe best stick to the PE or Fal then. The PE do look lovely and roomy. Decisions decisions! Maybe have to see whats around for a good price next week in the sales....

Thank you for your advice

 

[becca1305]

Haven't tried fal. A lot of people seem to recommend them however Im not sure if the reviews on newer rugs are as good as those on older ones.

Bucas are good and are pretty true to size length wise but their chest fit doesn't seem to suit all horses. They aren't the shortest rugs around but personally I prefer a little depth than they offer on my mare who is also an ISH they fit much better on my ex racer. Also don't get a silver one as they look grubby almost instantly and never come up properly clean again after a seasons use. I like the fact that they are designed to be breathable and used over a range of temps which is good for horses that overheat/get cold easily with the unpredictable british weather being as it is .

However my new favourite are Premier equine I bought the buster trio and complete stable for my mare and love both. The sizing is a little generous though I still found buying the correct size was the right fit. They are lovely and deep, the elasticated neck on the t/o is a brilliant feature and the neck plenty long enough . The interchangeable lining system is very practical and works well so you could resolve your possible need for an under rug by buying a liner and as she stays out 24/7 wouldn't have to worry about it slipping as they are clipped in and work well .I *believe* people on here say premier equine have had a january sale in previous years which might be a good opportunity?.

Should also add I have Swish h/w t/o rugs and they are good value for money, however different models come up slightly differently Ive found. For instance the design with the shaped leg (300g) isn't as deep (on the straight parts) as the straight cut (350g) design.

 

[maggie123]

I did get a great rug this year from Swish Equestrian - it is a 100g fill and I think I got it for about £25. I really rate it a lot although if your horse is a full up size in a rug then I think I would go a size bigger. My horse is 6'3 which is normally generous on her in other makes, but the Swish was only just right - any smaller and it would have been too small.

I'd never thought about a Swish rug - never seen their turnouts in real life. I'll have a gander

 

[maggie123]

Looks like a PE might be the way forward - love the look of the trio but its a bit pricey! I'll keep my fingers crossed for that sale....

 

[Garfield1537]

My boy sounds the same as your horse and we use the 1200d versions of the horseware amigo rugs, they stay put, keep dry and have lasted two years and he's out 24/7 and plays with his herd lots!!

 

[KVH]

Premier Equine!

 

[palomino_pony]

PE have a sale area already so you may get a bargain now! I love my PE rug

 

[sally2008]

Another vote for Premier Equine - fabulous rugs and worth every penny.

 

[Kat]

I love my premier equine winter buster turnout. Fits a treat, better than any of my other rugs (rhino, masta, weatherbeeta). Lovely and roomy around the shoulders and neck, in fact a little large on my mare, despite other brands in the same size being waay too tight.

 

[porkpie]

Can't comment on PE but really rate Bucas T/O - I have the silver ones with the fleece liner - fab for those changeable days. I found it washes really well at the end of each season and comes up as good as new.

Another thought is Mark Todd - my old mare is in a MT HW turnout and the fit is excellent - deep, well fitting, long neck, good tail flap and places like Old Dairy Saddlery usually do good deals - I picked mine up for about £80. Another one that a friend really rates is the Jumpers Horse Line - made by the same people that make the MT's but a bit cheaper.

Hope this helps!

 

[Donnie Darco]

Have 2nd rugs for sale, Fal and Rambo so have PM'd you

 

[Ludi-doodi]

QR - just to add another into the mix have you looked at Rambo or Amigo? They're not overly expensive (cheaper than FAL I think) and are excellent quality. The Rambo supreme I have was bought in 2003 and still going strong despite some pretty horrendous winters!

 

[maggie123]

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions Might see if i can find someone with some of these makes at the yard and see how they fit. I love rug shopping!

 

[Gorgeous George]

I went through similar deliberations at the beginning of this year, tried a friend's PE and although it fitted my chunky 16.3 shire x I just found the rug itself too heavy

I went for a no fill Rambo Supreme in the end, it has the attachments for the liners inside, so you can just add the liner you need, so you only have to have one turnout rugout. It is really warm (George is still in a 100g liner) and very light and easy to handle.

 

[Spring Feather]

Fal hands down. I haven't had PE rugs so can't comment on them. I have literally tons and tons of rugs and they are all Horseware, Fal or Bucas rugs. Fal are the best in my opinion. The Rambos do not seem to be made so well these days even though the price never reduces I got 2 Bucas rugs last week and sorry but I do not like them at all. There were bought for 2 solid framed pregnant Hanoverian mares and they just do not have the depth to them. They were bloomin expensive and I am using them but I won't buy any more Bucas rugs again.

 

[criso]

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions Might see if i can find someone with some of these makes at the yard and see how they fit. I love rug shopping!

That

I have a tb who is very broad shouldered and chested with high withers but otherwise a tb.

Amigo and Mark Todd, Weatherbeeta Landa - not generous enough on the shoulders

Premier Equine - just about OK on the shoulders but could have been more generous there but depthwise came down to his knees and too long in the back

FAL and Weatherbeeta Takas - perfect

So the more makes and styles you can try on the better till you find one you like.

 

[Herts05]

If you want another Slumberdown (I agree they are fab rugs) then contact Hertford Horse Bits. They buy end of range rugs and sell them for good prices. They don't have all their rugs detailed online, so give them a call and they will tell you what they have in at the time.
I've always had good service from them re rugs

 

[ISHmad]

FAL rugs are my absolute favourites, but the older ones not the ones made abroad after the company was sold. Have had mine for years and they are like new each year. Superb quality. Now that Tagg Equestrian has bought the brand I hope they will be getting them manufactured to the same exacting standards as before, then I'd be in the market for a couple more.

Bucas rugs are my second favourites as I really like the temperature range that they cover. On chunkier horses they are a bit like miniskirts though.

Premier Equine customer service was rubbish when I had a rug which leaked like a sieve. Did try another one a few years later but it rubbed our pony quite badly and I didn't like the clips on the front so I've avoided them since. They do have lots of good recommendations generally though, think I've just had a bad experience.