Horseware v Premier Equine Rugs

Lady Jane

Lady Jane

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I am a Horseware person but looking at the websites both do a similar job. Does anyone have experience of both and can make comparisons? Its the layering systems I like
 
I have both. My horseware rugs go on the horses, the PE rugs sit in the tack room just in case of an emergency.
I have rhinos, Rambos and amigos which fit beautifully, keep the horse dry, warm and wash well.
The PE rugs are heavy, even when dry and the LW can't withstand a couple of hours heavy rainfall.
 
my horseware rugs go on the horses my PE (the layering type) went on the bonfire, it was an expensive waste of money. I just kept the liner to go under other HW rugs. Never again.
 
I've had both. Nothing compares to the Rambo Optimo. Its light, seems incredibly tough, mine lasted a winter out in a mixed herd n a field with thick thorny hedges and barbed wire! The PE lasted 2 days before it shredded, It was heavy, horrible sizing and slipped! It a moot point for me anyway as I find the Optimo is the only rug my barrel chested cob can actually move in!
 
Horseware.

Tried PE. The fit hasn't been right for any of my horses, which is a bobber as I didn't find out until I'd bought a couple of heavyweights for two neds. In my experience the Horseware is better quality.

I'll be looking at the Rambo Optimo for two neds depending on how the winter goes (and my bank balance...).
 
I cant find a pony sized Optimo so he is in a premier equine while all the others are in Optimos, poor pony definitely drew the short straw, PE are not a patch on Optimos
 
ponios said:
I cant find a pony sized Optimo so he is in a premier equine while all the others are in Optimos, poor pony definitely drew the short straw, PE are not a patch on Optimos
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I had the same issue, couldn’t find a decent 450g in a 5ft. However after one winter I ditched the PE as it rubbed and was so heavy. He’s now in the pony rhino 450g and that is a brilliant rug, and a very good Rambo substitute.
 
there are many threads like this. A few have got on with PEs but the majority have the same problems, not waterproof, just soooo heavy when wet etc etc. So, as we all know this then presumably PE do as well, so, why haven't they done something to correct the problem. Just musing. :)
 
I have a 200gsm PE which has remained waterproof over many years... But it weighs more than the moon* - my pony is only little, it's not a very thick rug, and I still don't like putting it on!

*some hyperbole involved. statement of opinion. don't want to be sued by PE ;)
 
Used to use PE turnouts on work horses; 7ft PE turnouts that are wet are VERY heavy! They don't dry quickly when wet either.

Rambo and Rhino turnouts are great.

I am not so fussy about stable rugs.
 
I actually prefer the fit and shape of PE turnouts but mine have both started leaking at about 4 years old (which compared to some brands is still good) but my Rambo’s stay waterproof completely 100% til they are ancient.
Its the neck of the PE I really like.
 
I love horsewear rugs but I thought I’d try a PE after reading everyone raving about them. Well 6 weeks in and after a heavy downpour it leaked like a sieve. I returned it for a refund... never again. Shame really as I like the design, fit and they feel like a quality rug
 
HW, PE are about 3 times as heavy, 10x when wet! Bought lightweights once never bothered again rhinos and rambos here.
 
Are people talking about the older PE's? One of my liveries has a new mediumweight PE (Lucanta Stratus) and it's very light, very waterproof, and has a huge shoulder gusset, so it doesn't rub at all. I tried it on Alf, who usually takes a 6"9/7ft, and the 6"6 fitted him, and didn't restrict his shoulders at all. I hated his old heavyweight PE, but I'm really impressed with the new one!
 
Auslander said:
Are people talking about the older PE's? One of my liveries has a new mediumweight PE (Lucanta Stratus) and it's very light, very waterproof, and has a huge shoulder gusset, so it doesn't rub at all. I tried it on Alf, who usually takes a 6"9/7ft, and the 6"6 fitted him, and didn't restrict his shoulders at all. I hated his old heavyweight PE, but I'm really impressed with the new one!
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Having had the issues with them leaking, I would not buy a 'new' one until they were at least 5 years old and still waterproof. Rambos/Rhinos fall apart at the seams before the waterproofing goes, and that does not happen until they are well over 10 years old (longest one I had was about 18 years, still waterproof and sold it second hand!).
 
Not sure if those above have used PE rugs recently, as i have not had those issues. Almost all my rugs are PE (up to 3 yrs old), all are fantastically waterproof (the lightweights take full days of heavy rain which no other lightweight rugs have), the rugs when wet are no heavier than my other rugs and all look immaculate after 3 years of use. The newest ones bought in the last year are very lightweight, so these have definitely changed. One horse I have will only fit their rugs due to the depth of them after a couple of years if wasting a lot of money trying a lot of rugs.

The same cannot be said for the Rambo rugs that i have had, which were the least waterproof rugs I have owned and were quickly sold on and also had issues with the rug fraying for a very pricey rug it was disappointing.
 
At that budget I would buy Horseware over PE far superior in my opinion, I had a horseware turnout for my first horse back in the 90's I was still using it up until a few years ago, it only got chucked as my horse damaged it beyond repair.
 
Auslander said:
Are people talking about the older PE's? One of my liveries has a new mediumweight PE (Lucanta Stratus) and it's very light, very waterproof, and has a huge shoulder gusset, so it doesn't rub at all. I tried it on Alf, who usually takes a 6"9/7ft, and the 6"6 fitted him, and didn't restrict his shoulders at all. I hated his old heavyweight PE, but I'm really impressed with the new one!
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Last one I handled would be about 3/4 years old. would be good if they have improved them :). The person who had them used to replace them every couple of years but not sure if that was because they were actually leaking, my main rug was an 8 year old rhino at the time so that seemed excessive (that's the one that someone nicked off frank's back, sure it would still be fine now otherwise :p )
 
I have not bought a Horseware for years, because if you look after them they last forever. They also seem to fit every body shape well, from TB to cob.
I have only ever bought one PE for a 12 hand pony, this when they were cheap, it was so deep they must have thought it was a giraffe.
 
Faracat said:
What? They stole it from his back! Urgh... some people have no shame. :(:(:(
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yup, wasn't the best rug in the field either, and had recently used the neck cover to make a new tail flap. I'd clipped him the day before :( and the YO said she was surprised I'd turned him out without a rug....
Field was secluded and down the road, everything got postcoded in gloss paint that weekend, and now he sits in a field with totally the wrong postcode :D.
 
NinjaPony said:
I find it surprising that PE still seem to be doing well given that all I ever hear about them is negative feedback! Someone must be buying their rugs, but judging by this thread, it isn't anyone on HHO!
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I have a full PE wardrobe for my mare for years and have just started my new boys collection. In full disclosure, I’ve never had Horseware but have no issues with PE at all. Fit, durability, waterproof, I love the snug necks and the liner system.
 
I love horsewear rugs. They fit both my girls beautifully, never slip or leak.

Personally I think PE rugs are better suited to chunkier broad shoulder types. My old pony was a chunky new forest type and she fitted better into PE rugs, but out of personal preference she always had weatherbeeta rugs. Whereas her old weatherbeeta rugs hang off of my current horses despite being the correct rug size.
 
I used to have PE rugs, generally bought in their sales, they fitted my Connie very well, but they are soooo heavy, I have reverted to horseware.
 
I’m voting for PE rugs - I’ve got various different turnouts including the Buster turnout which is the heavier weight fabric, and also Lucanta Stratus which are lighter fabrics. The oldest PE is probably 8 years old. Never had any of the rugs leak, I don’t find them overly heavy, they fit my horse better than the HW Rambo rugs I gave away. I guess everyone’s experiences are different.
 
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