Opinions on Bucas Smartex please

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sonjafoers

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I am looking at replacing my HW Rambo with the Bucas Smartex Extra this year but am not sure. I've always been a loyal Horseware buyer and love the Rambos but have been very disappointed with the latest Rhinos I've bought.

My concern with the Smartex is that it's quite a bit cheaper than the HW Rambo and I'm concerned the quality might not be up to it. Can anyone advise please?

Also how is the fit? My mare is a 6'3 in her Rambos but the 6'3 Rhino recently bought is slightly too big both in depth of body and around the neck.

Thank you

Oh nearly forgot - does the neck cover have any lining?
 
I have the old style Bucas Smartex Rain. See piccy. ;)
SSCN3503.jpg


It's a fantastic rug. I've had it for years, never had it washed or re-proofed. It looks like new after a good rain shower and has no nicks or tears (mare is a good girl and looks after her rugs) and never lets the rain in.

It is a 6ft but she has a 6ft3 Rambo Duo.

It is quite a slim-fit around the neck and shoulders, but as you can see that suits my little mare. She's never had and rug rubs from it and she is the type that rubs easily (fine skin and fur).

For comparison, here she is in a 6ft Amigo (too small, I soon learnt to buy a size up for Horseware rugs).
DSCN4172.jpg

Rambo Duo 6ft3 (sorry I only have a front-on piccy).
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I have had two Bucas Rugs, one summer shower rug, useless not waterproof and hard to clean, and the smartex in silver, foul thing rubbed, slipped and the anti bac lining catches all the hairs, both sold and now back in rambos and amigos happier allround, I would never get one again, they sound good but are infact rubbish!
 
I bought my first Bucus (Smartex big neck) last year as Rambo stopped making the XL and I was blown away by the quality and fit. Don’t think I’d buy another brand now. My mare takes a 6’9” in the Rambo XL and Smartex , the latter is marginally more generous. Both are lightweight no fill as she is naked until it gets to -5 ish so no idea about heavier weights.
 
I have both Horseware and Bucas, love them both! The Bucas ones don't rub either pony, a thin-skinned TBX and a Connie cross, and they're a good snug fit, very warm. I get my usual sizes and don't have a problem.
 
Thank you everybody. I'm still not sure what to do - it looks like Faracat has a narrow horse and Joelb has a horse that fits a Rambo XL so probably 2 completely different types and yet the Bucas fits both. ( Thank you for the pics Faracat ).

Mine is a 7/8ths TB so reasonably fine but a bit long in the back, so she takes a 6'3 rug for length but they can be quite loose around the chest. She is also very think skinned and rubs easily. The old Rambos fitted well but last years Rambo Supreme was too deep for her ie. it hangs around her knees, and this years Rhino also does and is also very loose around the neck & chest.

Maybe I will just have to order one and try!
 
I bought a Smartex really cheap, many years ago in a Derby House sale. It wasn't my favourite colour, so I pooh-poohed it and only used it in an emergency and generally neglected it.

Then came the winter of 2009 and it's sub zero temperatures.

OMG - what a fantastic rug!

indibucas.jpg


I splashed out on a Power last year and wish I could afford one for my old boy too!
 
My summer shower is excellent very light and very waterproof even in the downpours we had before this heat wave and boy did it rain. I am sorry I have no experience of the smartex I have a power turnout as well as the sunshower they are both fabulous rugs and excellent quality. Sizing is about correct. Agree horseware is on the small side.
 
With Horseware rugs, I have to shorten the surcingles, except for the Amigo turnouts. The 1200d Amigos are actually pretty nice rugs.

I would be tempted to take a tapemeasure to the tackshop (I've done this when buying bridles as the chestnut is between sizes :rolleyes: and the grey is an even odder mix of PS, CS and FS :eek: ) and measure the rugs before buying one.
 
I have a smartex with a detachable neck medium fill I believe. The neck also has lining :). its cushtie and lovely fits my chunky chested ISH mare brilliantly. I found as shes big bummed too it isnt too deep on her but deep enough :). I have the shiny navy blue and it still looks lovely. I am much less worried about them if the weather forecast tells porkypies as the bucas' are good for a wide range of temps and they always feel just right underneath when I come to get them in. I also have another one with a full neck as standard in a heavier weight which goes on my fine TBX which I dont think they make anymore, at least not with an attached neck. It fits him nicely too and doesnt rub (he is rub prone) as hes slight and its a size too big (sale) its rather deep on him but lovely :). The only thing I would say is my second rug is (meant to be) silver and it just looks grubby so I wouldnt get that colour again. I also have a neckless sun shower in green which fits a 15.2hh 3/4cobx1/4tb, a 16.1hh tb exrace, 16hh chunky chested ish, and the 16.3hh 7/8Tb (tho its a little short on him and the ish) :) I love my bucas' wish I'd trusted them more to start and just had a smaller wardrobe of them with a few back up rugs rather than a HUGE horsey wardrobe! :)
 
It sounds like a lot of you like them so it's probably worth me trying one for fit - I suppose I can always send it back if it's not a good fit but I will check about the different neck sizes as that doesn't seem to be mentioned in the catalogue I've seen them in.
 
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