Help me choose the right turnout rug

[Gorgeous George]

Ok I am probably the world’s worst ditherer when it comes to spending lots of money, so I need you good people to help me make a decision !

The scenario: George needs 2 new turnouts, a 100g (ish) rug for the spring and also a 200g (ish) rug for when the worst of this cold weather passes, as the two he has have reached the end of their life. George is very careful with his rugs and (desperately touches wood) has never ripped or damaged a rug.

Rugs need to be breathable as well as waterproof as I don’t use stable rugs, I only change his turnout if he’s actually got wet underneath.

I want a rug with a high denier outer preferably nylon, as they seem to retain their waterproof properties for longer. Found cheaper rugs with polyester outers start to leak quicker .

Options: I can just about afford all 3 of these options , so in terms of value, quality, longevity etc etc which would you go for?

1. Go for premier equine rugging system (1680 ballistic nylon outer), would need:
100g outer £98
100g neck £30
100g liner £30 = approx £160

2. Go for a Rhino no fill rug and neck (1000D polypropylene outer), would need:
No fill rug approx £90
No fill neck approx £40
100g and 200g liners approx £35 each = £200

3. Go for the new Rambo 100g rug and no fill neck (1000D ballistic nylon outer), would need:
100g rug £155
No fill neck £38
100g liner £35 = £228

As you can see I like the idea of the liner system , as I would only have to get the outer washed/reproofed at the end of the winter (saving me money) as I could wash the liners in my machine. Also when his heavyweight rug gives up the ghost I would just have to buy another liner.

So which would you go for…………….or do you have any other better suggestions?

Thanks for reading, and definitely cookies and hot choc if you’ve got this far!

 

[TicTac]

Personally I can't fault Horsewear rugs, They cost a bit to start with but honestly last a life time. I have one Rambo m/w turnout that is 10 years old and still as good as new! So, if you finances stretch I would go for the Horsewear Duo with the added liners which you can choose your weight.

I'm not overly keen on the style of the new Horsewear Optimo, or whatever it's called but I would still bet that it is a fabulous rug that will last you years.

 

[milliepops]

Personally, I'd go for the Rambo any day I wouldn't be without mine. (I don't send them off to the cleaners anyway as I just scrub them at home and have never needed any of them reproofing).

My mare is careful with her rugs too but has managed to snag the lining of her no-fill Rhino on something (outer is fine and totally waterproof). Have never found any damage to her Rambos *touch wood*. Also the clips etc seem tougher on the Rambos which just makes life easier really in the long term. I don't find PE rugs fit my horse particularly well but that's all down to the individual really!

 

[Gorgeous George]

Just to add it's not the Rambo optimo (looks a bit gimmicky to me) that i'm looking at but just a standard rambo that they now do in 100g that also has the fixings for the liners, apparently the new rhinos also have the liner fixings now as well.

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

I am a convert on the liner system after buying the Premier Equine Trio.

I like the fact you can change liners depending on the weather and also that you can wash the liners very easily in the washing machine and they dry very quickly too.

I have also had the Weatherbeeta Tristar but after buying another have now found out that they are not breathable - the horses sweated badly under them and have sent back to Weatherbeeta for their comments but thats another story!

I now have 3 PE ones with the liners and find they fit an array of different types of horse and I think they are great, very waterproof, definitely breathable and the neck covers seem to be a longer length than the Horseware ones.

So, given a choice I would say Premier Equine.

 

[Jane_Lou]

I have rambo rugs that are over 12 years old, have been washed every year and never reproofed and are still waterproof and look as good as new after washing. Rhino are also good rugs but for the extra few pounds a Rambo will last you much longer. I have a MW and LW Rhinos, the MW doesn't get much wear and is still fine but the LW which is about 13 leaked badly last year so now lives in the lorry for those wet show days. I have not used PE rugs but as they say - you get what you pay for!

 

[Flame_]

I like the liner systems and use turnout rugs in stables. I just have two Rambo Duos and some liners. Its expensive to begin with but I figure it should save me a fortune in rug cleaning as I'll just send one outer layer away for cleaning and reproofing a year and wash the liners myself.

 

[milliepops]

Just make sure that the place you buy it from has the newest models on sale - my Rambo Supreme was bought new but wasn't the latest 'version' (doesn't matter in my case but do double check before you buy if you go for the Rhino - would be a shame if it didn't have the fixings for the liners)

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Horseware every time.

If you can afford it, get the Rambo as they really do last for years and are tough and waterproof. The Rhinos are almost as good, so they are my second choice. I wouldn't buy a PE again after the brand new one I had leaked from the start in only a light shower. Other people love them and have had no leaking problems, so maybe I was unlucky.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Horseware vote from me too - every time!