Horseware Rambo Dry Rug

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I believe this is a new product just launched by Horseware made with microfibre towelling cloth to dry our horses in super-record time (so says the marketing).

Has anyone bought one? If so, what do you think of it?

Any feedback or reviews would be appreciated.

Can it be worn under another rug while it is doing its 'job' of drying the horse off (worn under another rug in the stable to stop shavings sticking)?

Equally can it be used under a turnout while it is drying the horse off?

Any feedback at all really appreciated.
 
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I don't have the Rambo one but did see it at HOYS and thought it looked quite nifty

What I do have is a rug made for me by someone years ago that is essentially pretty much the same. Yes I've used it under a fly rug and smer sheet to stop shavings sticking, no I wouldn't turn out in it as it would come in covered in all sorts as things cling to it and also it would be quite easily damaged.

I do have a rug made by (I think) IV Horse, it's called a bath robe but is basically a closely woven fly rug with a panel of absorbent fabric that runs from poll to tail, it was very cheap and being smooth and very similar to a fly rug it can be used for turnout too, it's definitely a more versatile rug than the microfibre rug, even useful as a stable rug when it's mild, keeping clean for a show etc etc
 
Yes that looks like it.

The lining is only a strip over the top of the neck and back on mine, not fully lined. Also it's not what I'd call terry towling, mine is like that bit of absorbent cloth you get in the package under a meat joint (sorry only way I can describe it!)

So not sure what you are getting when you buy that one but be warned it may not be exactly as they say!

Can take pics of mine if it helps
 
I understand your description completely!

Can I tell you what I am ultimately looking for and see if you still think the IV Horse Fly/Bath rug is the best option?

I wash my horse down after hunting at home (with warm water) not at the trailer at the venue. She lives out 24/7. So I am looking to put a rug on her that will help dry her off quickly and whilst she is drying off she would be turned out in her field, not put in a stable.

Potentially, I would put another rug on top of the drying rug if needs be, depending on how hot she is and the outside temperature. It would be a breathable turnout rug, likely a Rambo turnout. Then, once she is dry, I would take the drying rug off her and put on her the appropriate weight Rambo turnout for the rest of the night.

I am also looking for "this elusive drying rug!" to double in the summer, to again put on her after I have bathed her at home so that I can turn her out into the field to dry immediately after bathing her. Again, if necessary and appropriate, I would possibly put another rug on top of her (l/w turnout maybe) -- but it is v. warm, I would like to be able to just use the drying rug on its own with her in the field.

I had thought to look at the Bucas Rainsheet with stay dry lining but I am anxious about the neck on these rugs being tight, hairs sticking to the stay dry lining and being impossible to get out, and the consequent itching that these hairs can cause some horses. It also might be quite hot in the summer, even the rain sheet version.

Do you think the IV Fly/Bathing Rug would be appropriate for what I am looking for?

I had looked at Thermatexes but with another rug on top (in the winter) and even when loose in the field without a rug on top, Thermatexes slip backwards over the wither and get tight around the shoulders and cut into the horse.

I would just like to say I am so grateful for this forum as it is a mine of helpful information. Any advice you can give I would be most grateful.
 
That's a lot of demands for one rug lol

For drying quickly you probably won't beat the microfibre one, the drawbacks with this one are the fact that if not covered things will cling to it but if you have a reasonably good coverage of grass in your field with few scrubby areas you may get away with not covering it in summer

I personally wouldn't turn out in my microfibre one even with another rug over as they absorb like mad as opposed to wicking away moisture and any contact with the ground and wet mud would not make them very nice!

It's a rug for drying off while standing around/walked to dry off in my opinion (others may disagree)

The IV horse one will not dry the horse all over as quickly for sure but if you wield the sweat scraper after the bath it does a decent job. When another rug is over the top the weave fabric allows for a bit of air circulation a bit like the old sweat rugs. The top panel will absorb rather than wick but it's over the warmest part of the body so likely to dry quicker and only in a strip so won't hang down all clammy and soggy

I know you looked at the Thermatex rugs but I do like the lightweight wicking one, it is a more structured rug and isn't stretchy like the original ones

I hope that helps
 
ooooh! I just found something else I need! The IV horse one would be fab for drying off fat cobs after they have been washed off! He has a thermatex but it seems to take forever to do anything, and I dont like leaving him in it as it just slips back
 
It's not generous FC. I'd go up a size personally

I have to say I was disappointed when I opened it as was expecting something quite different seeing as it's described as a bath robe but I have been thrilled with mine, it's very versatile
 
I would get a Bucas with stay dry lining for what you want, as long as your horse is the right shape for their rugs. My chestnut mare fits the standard neck style very well and she has had a Smartex Rain for approx 10 years and it's still going strong. It's been such a useful rug and if I was rich enough or found a bargain, I would get a heavier weight one too. I don't have the neck cover so can't comment on the size of those. I can sweat scrape her off, lightly towel dry, pop the rug on and then turn her out in it. She soon dries off and you don't need to go back and change the rug later (unless you want to or the weather changes etc...). It's been washed and reproofed once in that time purely because it needed a surcingle sewing back on and they won't fix rugs without washing them first. Yes, there are chestnut hairs on the lining, but not loads (she is an anglo arab so very fine furred and her winter coat is pathetic).
 
Faracat, WelshD and FrankieCob, thanks so much for your kind and helpful replies.

Oops FC, I hope I haven't made a dent in your purse because of my raising this topic, sorry if I have!

WelshD, thank you so much for your sage advice, all very wise.

Faracat, I think you are right, if my pony fits the Smartex rain this probably ticks most of the boxes for the winter at least. Have you used your Smartex Rain in the summer after bathing ever? Also, if it is cold in the winter but you have had to bathe, have you used it in this situation? And if it wasn't warm enough just on its own in the winter after bathing, would you feel confident putting another breathable turnout on top of it? Would it still do its job? Sorry for all the questions!
 
If it's sunny/warm I pop her out naked, but if it's a chilly summer day then I have used the Smartex Rain without issues. I haven't used it on proper sub zero winter days. When it's cold I don't bath, but I will sponge down the saddle area and have found that a normal breathable rug is fine as long as I properly towel dry the area. :)
 
Lucinda said:
Oops FC, I hope I haven't made a dent in your purse because of my raising this topic, sorry if I have!
Click to expand...

No not yet, but christmas is coming and this is one of those things that I really, really want but probably wouldnt buy myself. Therefore perfect when people are asking what I want for christmas :) It will be perfect for drying off my cob after I wash him off after hes been worked :)
 
I have one of these rugs and its fantastic. It dries my horse after he has had a full wash with a hose in about 15mins. I have used it a handful of times and its been the same every time :)
 
Just as an extra I have a fal domino (picked up for £20 on ebay :p) and after washing post hunting turn out in that and his rhino no fill. Shortly later he is bone dry, the inside of the t/o is a bit wet where it breathes slower than the fal! and I whip it off and put a warmer one on. I have been super impressed with it!

I use microfibre towels for post gym showers as easy to transport on the bike- you have to pat/rub quite a bit, not sure they wick though they do hold a lot of water.
 
Thanks for the insight ester, it is so helpful to know what everyone else uses when washing at home post-hunting and then turning straight out into the field.

I know thermatexes are wonderful for wicking but even during a couple of hours use, and especially with another rug on top, they can tend to travel backwards off the wither and cut into the neck and shoulders.

Hannah&Co, I had heard these rugs were magnets for hay.

It seems to date that the Bucas Smartex Rain would likely be my best bet -- just so long as it is big enough in the neck (she is not big enough for the big neck version) and just so long as I can put another t/o rug on top of it if, on its own, it is not warm enough - and in so doing this that it will still wick and dry her off. I dont really want to have to buy 2 rugs - the Smartex rain for one temperature variant and the Smartex medium or Extra for another!

If anyone else has any more insights into what to put on a horse that is bathed at home after hunting and then turned straight out into a field rugged but wet (having been towelled off with micro towels), I would be very grateful!
 
I was lucky enough to be gifted a thermatex stable rug with cordra outer layer. This means it's tougher, nothing sticks to mine and it doesn't pull back! Perfect for drying. Wouldn't be without it, just hope I don't have to replace it as the cost is huge! I have a normal thermatex as well but only use that for shows as that does pull back.
 
Faracat, good advice, thank you. Ella19 - silly question but why do you think your thermatex with cordra outer layer doesn't pull back? Have u tried it under another rug or just on its own? Sounds really good. Be interested to learn more if you have the time to share your experience.
 
I have bought a Rambo Dry Rug for Kai and am really pleased with it. I do stable him or leave him tied up wearing it after he's been washed down rather than turning out, but that's more because it was a lot of money and I'd be gutted if he damaged it!
 
I've got a couple of Thermatex rugs. I agree ref the "Original" pulling back when placed under another rug, but I find that the rug with the smaller squares (the "T2000" rug?) seems to hold its shape much better and doesn't slip back if put on under a lightweight / no-fill rug.

Also, I've got a cheaper Masta equivalent - that I bought to save the Thermatex's for "best", but actually I like it just as much as the Thermatex rugs. The binding and interfacing around the neck means that it doesn't slip back at all - it's a little lighter weight than the Thermatex rugs but just as good at wicking away the moisture, which I believe is what you need.

My understanding (might be completely wrong here!) is that the towelling/microfiber rugs that are designed to dry the horse off quickly are super-absorbant, but hold the moisture rather than wicking it away. So, if you were to leave it on for example over night, I would worry that it may get cold/damp.

The knitted wicking rugs (ie Thermatex, Colin Cook Thermalux, Premier Equine Premtex, Mark Todd Coolex etc etc) draw the moisture away from the coat, and as long as you have a breathable "top layer" - ie. a Bucus or similar lightweight turnout rug, then this will let the moisture evaporate away and you should (!) be left with a warm and dry horsey!
 
Thanks for your helpful insights NorthernHare, you are spot on with your deductions and advice. I dont suppose you know the exact name of your Masta?

Slightlyconfused, it is often the old methods that are the best!
 
Hi Lucinda, I've had a look online and I'm afraid the Masta rug is no longer available - it is maroon with grey / maroon stripe binding and cross-surcingles. Masta do a new version called the WickMasta but that looks more like a traditional Thermatex with single strap under the belly. Weatherbeeta used to do something similar called the Thermocell which was very similar to the Masta rug I've got and usually came in navy with grey straps - again I'm afraid they no longer make them.

You might like to have a look at the Swish rugs - they do a "Thermocell" travel rug which looks good and it has cross-surcingles - about £70.

I don't know what size you are looking for, but if you set up an ebay search, then a lot of the knitted/wicking/Thermatex type rugs come up on eBay - I guess as they're so popular. If you would be ok with using a second hand rug, then you can get some great bargains that way - although the colours are sometimes "non-standard" shall we say!!

I don't have any experience of whether the other makes/designs slip back or not when placed under a rug. However, I would say from experience that if you go for one of the tighter knit rugs then hopefully it will hold their shape better and not slip back so much.

PS. I would love one of the Thermatex rugs knitted using a union jack design - they've got them on their website - a bit pricey for an under-rug though!!
 
Northern Hare, thank you so much for your thorough and helpful reply, it is much appreciated. Thanks for checking on your Masta rug too, always the way - the best ones often stop being made! I have looked on ebay but I am looking for a 5ft 6 so maybe not such a popular size but I will keep checking.

Frankiecob, interesting to know the Weatherbeeta one slips too, sadly.

Another brand/option is the new Bucas Select Quilt with stay dry lining (150g) - a fitted under-rug designed as a liner with a stay dri lining. Has anyone any experience of these?
 
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