How often do you replace T/O rugs?

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mcgreggor

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This winter I have noticed the filling on my medium turnouts seems to be clumping and falling away, mostly from back and hip area -no damage and still fully waterproof so looks like I’ll rather begrudgingly have to replace them. Having browsed online so many rugs all seem very “technical” (*ahem* 'spose they've got to justify those prices somehow?!) and I’m a bit loathe to pay those prices for something that seems to have a limited lifespan anyway, so how often do you replace your rugs (and what do you use?)
 
I decided years ago that you get what you pay for in rugs. Horseware Rambo & Rhino really last. Have a Wug with over 12 years (at least) of use still going strong
 
This year I'm almost solely using a hefty no-fill eg Premier Equine or such like, with a variety of easily washable rug liners depending on fluctuating temps. Liners get washed approx weekly. It's been brilliant as can occasionally wash outer rugs in cold water, no detergent too, although try to not do this until end of rug wearing season so as to preserve outers. Mix and match liner types, eg Premier Equine, Horseware, old duvet thing off EBay. They just fasten at the front with clips at rear and fillet string on same D-ring and nothing ever slips. Forget the tabs on liner shoulders, I find you don't need them.
Outers go years before replacing as no wadding to flatten/rip/bunch up inside.
 
The more expensive rugs do (mostly) last better. I have turnouts which are well over 15 years old and still going strong. But if you have a rug ripper you will spend more on repair. I've not had a turn out rug clump like that - but the filing does definitely get thinner / pack down over time. I've old heavyweights that are now more medium weight. What makes were yours that clumped and how long had you had them? Might there be something in how you are washing them that contributed?
 
autumn7 said:
This year I'm almost solely using a hefty no-fill eg Premier Equine or such like, with a variety of easily washable rug liners depending on fluctuating temps. Liners get washed approx weekly. It's been brilliant as can occasionally wash outer rugs in cold water, no detergent too, although try to not do this until end of rug wearing season so as to preserve outers. Mix and match liner types, eg Premier Equine, Horseware, old duvet thing off EBay. They just fasten at the front with clips at rear and fillet string on same D-ring and nothing ever slips. Forget the tabs on liner shoulders, I find you don't need them.
Outers go years before replacing as no wadding to flatten/rip/bunch up inside.
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I really rate my Premier Equine rug and I'm loving the liners, dont they make life so much easier, lol :) Although did feel guilty taking the liners off this morning but they will thank me for it when they get added back under tonight when its -minus again :)
 
Both weatherbeeta landa (one about 4 years, one about 7 years) so would say a good medium quality rug? He's very good to his rugs so I guess they degrade before he'd ever damage them! I've never washed them as I find the waterproofness is never quite as good as before when you start doing that?

Unfortunately horseware are a no go for him being a beefy sec D I really do need adjustment at the front and i've heard hellish things about PE?

Interesting about the liners, have you had any problems with rubbing, particularly the mane? Don't want to lose it before show season!
 
mcgreggor said:
Both weatherbeeta landa (one about 4 years, one about 7 years) so would say a good medium quality rug? He's very good to his rugs so I guess they degrade before he'd ever damage them! I've never washed them as I find the waterproofness is never quite as good as before when you start doing that?

Unfortunately horseware are a no go for him being a beefy sec D I really do need adjustment at the front and i've heard hellish things about PE?

Interesting about the liners, have you had any problems with rubbing, particularly the mane? Don't want to lose it before show season!
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Can I ask what you’ve heard abou Premier Equine and why it was hellish please?
 
Ive had a horseware optimo since I got this horse 6 years ago and it's still good g strong, just change the liner weights as needed but she's only ever in the light one 90/ of the time.

Big mare has a Big Horse Shop one that's fine but it rarely gets used ��
 
Snowy Celandine said:
Can I ask what you’ve heard abou Premier Equine and why it was hellish please?
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Hit and miss as to whether you get a waterproof one and as to what the manafacture quality is like and then terrible customer service if you do have a problem with one.. so not prepared to risk it with their price tag!
 
mcgreggor said:
Hit and miss as to whether you get a waterproof one and as to what the manafacture quality is like and then terrible customer service if you do have a problem with one.. so not prepared to risk it with their price tag!
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Thanks for that. I have two of their rugs and one’s been fine but on the other a clip broke straight away and a leg strap became detached. Backs up what you’re saying I guess.
 
mandyroberts said:
I decided years ago that you get what you pay for in rugs. Horseware Rambo & Rhino really last. Have a Wug with over 12 years (at least) of use still going strong
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^^ this

I never replace mine... I have just bought what I needed (often second hand) and that's it sorted. All of mine are in Rambos. I don't get them professionally cleaned either, just scrub them down myself.
 
My two have Rhino outers with detachable necks and the liner system and they are fantastic. They don't slip, haven't rubbed anywhere and I can wash the liners as needed. They have been out all winter in them in some horrendous rain and snow and they haven't leaked once. Expensive to buy initially but worth every penny and I wouldn't go back to traditional weighted rugs now.
 
TigerTail said:
Ive had a horseware optimo since I got this horse 6 years ago and it's still good g strong, just change the liner weights as needed but she's only ever in the light one 90/ of the time.

Big mare has a Big Horse Shop one that's fine but it rarely gets used ��
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Similarly good experiences with Optimo, plus they were the only t/o that didn't rub my fine skinned Quarter Horse. They are horribly expensive but I bought the first one second hand from eBay and it is still in good condition despite him having lived in it for over a year (it was light/comfy enough to use as a stable rug when he was in at night from Nov-Mar). It also survived being pulled/chewed and pawed at by his yearling and 3yo companions - the other adult horse in the field went through several cheaper rugs! I got a second one brand new at an amazing price, again from ebay so that I could swap them over if he got very wet in the field or if they got really unpleasant from being in the stable.
 
Thanks for all the responses, liners seem to be the way to go so have spalshed out on a weatherbeeta comfitec premier trio as I know the fit will be good for him. Sadly quite excited that I can wash the liners without the worry of ruining waterproofness!

For those that use liners do you use a seperate stable rug at night (as I currently do) or I was thinking could leave the liner on and pop a cotton sheet over top to keep the liner clean and in place when indoors?
 
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I have an optimo that has always leaked and pretty much fallen appart even though I only use it on occasional dry days because of the leaking, perhaps I got a bad batch! So annoying as they are so expensive and its the only rug that doesnt rub my large chested cobxQH. However my premier equine rugs have never been a problem, lasted really well and the horses are always dry as a bone underneath. Liners are fab though I have premier equine and rambo liners, they go under any rug and are easy to pop in the washing machine when they get greasy.
 
mcgreggor said:
Interesting about the liners, have you had any problems with rubbing, particularly the mane? Don't want to lose it before show season!
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Personally, no, but I've a hogged heavy weight cob. Certainly no rubbing anywhere else either, and she's hunter clipped and lives out 24/7. I do have a small collection of different makes of both outer and rug liners (Shires, Premier Equine, and Ruggles no-fills) so I can ring the changes as although nothing rubs, I daresay there must be pressure points on any rug, however good the fit.

This winter I have added a no fill by the makers of Bossy's Bibs which I never knew existed. It's the best fitting rug I've ever found for my mega broad-fronted, large shouldered 15.3hh mare. Came with a detachable neck cover and didn't in the least break the bank.

Whatever, I shall never go back to filled rugs again. I just run the outers through a cold water wash in the springtime, no reproofing or anything added so they remain waterproofed, and pack them away until the next winter.
 
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Squirily said:
I have an optimo that has always leaked and pretty much fallen appart even though I only use it on occasional dry days because of the leaking, perhaps I got a bad batch! So annoying as they are so expensive and its the only rug that doesnt rub my large chested cobxQH.
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Optimos have a 2 (or 3) year warranty for waterproofness- have you tried to get it replaced?- I have 3 sets and never had a problem. Love the liner system.

Unless there is a big difference between day and night temperatures I generally leave the turn outs on in the stable rather than switching to an indoor. I find it much easier then taking off wet rugs and then putting them back on in morning when they haven't dried
 
I only replace when the rug is totally destroyed! I have managed to repair a couple of amigo lightweight turnouts and they are holding up well, and I repair small rips when I find them so they don't spread. My expensive rhinos and rambos look great after several hard winters.
 
One of mine likes to wedge himself in prickly hedges and although his Rhino hasn't ripped it has had small nicks in it. A tip for mending them if it happens is to make sure the outer is clean and dry and then use the ready glued McNett Gortex patches you can buy in camping shops. It stops the hole getting bigger and doesn't come off in the wet.
 
I find the cheap rainsheets only really make it through one season and also don't seem to re-proof well. One of my not-at-all cheap ones has also given up.

Thanks to everyone who has commented on rugs for broad shouldered chunkies - I have two chunkies and a collection of rugs that don't really fit them!
 
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