Fal v Rambo

[Jemima44]

A number of peple posting prefer Fal rugs to any other. I should be interested to hear what you like especially about them, compared to any other. I am thinking of getting one for my 35 year old three quarter bred retired eventer. She is currently in a Rambo heavy plus which I am very impressed with, especially the chest fastening which affords such freedom to her shoulders. I should like to try a Fal medium weight for Spring out of interest, but I wonder if the horizontal chest fastening on a Fal ever pulls? This is of concern to me as I live abroad 9 months of the year and she is cared for by my elderly father. I want to make things as easy as possible for both of them and do not want him to have to replace continually a rug that shifts backwards. She lives out 24/7 with an open access, deep littered field shed for protection, so I have been pleased with the stability of the Rambo.

In addition, as these new generation rugs are new to me (and a revelation - in my day we lugged heavy, wet NZ's and smelly jutes with heavy layers), does anyone have any advice on suitable weights for her situation and when she should stop wearing them in Spring?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

If the Rambos fit her, I would stick with them (I'm not buying anything else having wasted my money on a Taka Combo that rubbed my mare raw). How about getting a Rambo Duo, thus will give you the flexibility of a Medium and Light weight rug, as have a removeable lining.

 

[lucysnapshot]

I prefer fal because i find them a better fit

 

[Thistle]

I only use Fal or Rambo, I find either fit well and do not move.

Re weights. I use a HW now (horse is clipped though but is pony X)
MW For temp like it was 2 weeks ago, and spring then a FAL 40g LW for those heavy April showers when it's a bit cold to leave them naked but a bit warm for a proper rug.

 

[Tierra]

I also prefer Rambo as Ive found the fit better on them. I dont think there is much doubt, however, that Fal are extremely good quality too.


Someone above mentioned the Rambo duo and this could be a really good option for you. It has a 100g outer shell (my horse has this on once the spring weather really kicks in and then on colder days through the summer if necessary) and it has a 300g detachable inner lining which allows you to increase the weight. You can also buy additional linings of differeing weights (100g / 200g i believe). So once attached to the outer, you could essentially have a 100g, 200g, 300g and 400g rug in one package.

The neck cover is then also detachable. It gives you huge versatility in terms of the weather, you can also put the seperate parts into a standard washing machine which is particularly handy Ive found (there's no way most MW / HW turnouts will go into a standard washing machine).

I bought one the first winter they were released and actually keep saying im going to get another for indoors as they have impressed me that much. They're the heavy end of the price market though, being around £200.

 

[madhector]

i prefer rambo, never had a problem with mine, lovely rugs, like fal too but just that bit too expensive

 

[Caritas]

I used to always use fal but find that rambo are definately a better fit for my boy. Both good quality rugs tho, Fal are no tvery generous around the shoulder area.

 

[Murphs_Mum]

I really love the FAL rugs. They are expensive but they do seem to wear very well. They fit my horse well as he has big shoulders. The main thing is they never seem to move and he has never been rubbed on his shoulders by them. I honestly have never tried a Rambo so can't compare them but I do give a vote for a FAL!

 

[Blizzard]

I have rambo and fal, prefer Rambo though!

Love my red Rambo plus HW and my purple wug, last forever!

 

[Chex]

I don't find either fits mine very well, and the price puts me off. Think I'd rather have a Fal if I had to choose though.

 

[Bosworth]

I would have FAL every time - they do not have to be expensive as they do a huge range of prices - but they all fit my horses. I used to love Rambos but the diagonal fastening acoss the chest is awful - it pulls across the chest and across the neck. So although my horses used to live in the old green Rambos - now the new ones rub them raw.

The FALS ust never rub. The sizes are accurate. in FAL my horse takes a 6 ft 9 - in weather beeta he takes a 7ft 3 and it just fits so badly.

FAL every time and they seem to last for ever. the lining polishes the coat so even the hairy comes up shiny.

 

[wench]

I havent used a "proper" Fal rug, but one of the slumberdown ones, and it rubbed loads of hair of horses shoulders after one day. Rambos better fit on him.,

 

[Hattikins]

FAL everytime for me without a doubt - fit brilliantly, barely rub their shoulders even when they're in them all day every day, long lasting and look very snug!

However have used rambo rugs too and have found nothing wrong with them either

 

[Sparklet]

I think both Fal and Horseware both do fantastic rugs and there is very little to choose between them. The only thing I have found is that high withered horses seem to suit Horseware better and big shouldered horses Fal.

Just my opinion.

 

[wiglet]

I agree both Fal and Rambo are great rugs. I have used both but prefer Rambo because they fit my horses better. I also prefer the clip front fastenings - Fal are a little cumbersome to me. Rambo rugs are also much lighter to handle which is important when you've got two to rug!

At the moment both mine are in Rambo Duos - using the HW liner at the moment. Next week is supposed to be milder so will swap to MW liner. Am hoping to use no liner when the temperature gets to about 12-13 degrees during the day. After that NAKED!!!

 

[Nuttymanxmare]

Ive got a rambo duo and absolutly love it... Its a little deep on her but it doesnt rub and keeps her lovely and warm.

 

[vickers22]

i adore my rambo supreme heavyweight-it fits perfectly and never moves at all. Doesnt rub him either. I got mine second hand and it still seems like brand new!

 

[benrolo]

Fal for me, my 16'1 shire cross is a 7'3 they are long enough and never rub, I also like the shine on his coat when you take it off, I wash them with the hose in the garden in spring and have never had to reproof.

 

[cariadssogreat]

I have used both on all my horses for the last 5/6 years and have to say they are both great - but I am tending to find I now only buy rambo - all 4 of my are in rambos/rhinos - they all stay dry and fit well and dont move. I agree with the previous suggestion of getting a rambo duo then it gives you flexability.

 

[wizzi901]

rambo, they last for years if you look after them.

 

[RachelB]

I haven't had mine for long (bought new last year along with horse) but I love both my Fal and my Rambo/Rhino! The Fal would fit perfectly if I had bought the right size ('doh!), and it never rubs even at an inch too short, it hangs nicely over her shoulders. I would, however, buy a Rambo/Rhino over a Fal purely because the front V closure suits my horse's very, very low-set neck and broad shoulders. She can get her head down to graze more comfortably in her Rhino. But I'm totally happy with both of them! Oh, plus my Rhino was cheaper...

 

[Jemima44]

Thanks for all your helpful comments re the above.

 

[GinaGem]

I love my fal rugs, i've got 2 fal pro, a fal cooler and 4 slumberdown and they are all great. I've tried so many makes on my horse and they just don't fit round her shoulders but the fal's are perfect, they've never rubbed. I also like the simplicity of the buckles and the fact that they are light even when soaking wet or muddy. None of the turnouts have leaked either and she always fits the same size whatever style the rug is. The only criticism i have it that they aren't quite deep enough but then again the one on our cob is so it's prob just that my mare is wide. Oh and the HW slumberdown stable rug seems to be slightly higher cut around the front than the others. Well worth the expense.

 

[Tia]

I have a rather large amount of horses and they are all in either Fal's or Rambo's. For me, there is absolutely no question about which is the better rug.......Fal.....without a doubt!

The Fal's all look fantastic at the start of every winter season - they still look plump with filling, remain totally waterproof and NONE of my Fal's have ever ripped in the years I have had them.

The Rambo's look less than fantastic at the start of the winter seasons - their fill seems to disappear over the time they spend boxed up during Summer months. They need to be re-proofed every single year and sometimes twice during the winter season. I absolutely detest the Wug's and would never ever buy another - the clippy bit at the front pulls their shoulders in in a manner which I do not like. Most of my Rambo's have ripped at some point in time and have had to be mended.

Fal's fit all of my horses well, Rambo's don't. I have to buy Rambo's over here as Fal's are not available yet

.

 

[druid]

And on the contrary My Fal fullneck is in for the 3rd time in 2 seasons being mended and needs reproofing every season and my Rambos have never needed to be mended and are reproofed every 4/5 years.....

The clip fastening allows much better freedom of movement imo w/o the shoudler rubbing you get with other rugs (such as the fal)

 

[dozzie]

I use both! Fal are great rugs for horses with a bit of a shoulder as Rambos seem to be tight in this area. The Fal neck cover is also very safe which is why I have the Fal. The horses without neck covers are in rambos. Also, I bought a Fal for one chap but it is too big on shoulder so went back to rambo. It really depends on size and shape of horse. But Rambos are cheaper and last really well.

Also the Fal silver interactives are supposed to keep the horse cool on hot days and warm on cold. But they are very expensive!! You can also leave them on at night if you want.
The Fal stable rugs are also the deepest Ive found.