Rug sizing disaster Rambo XL

[Elza Stumpe]

Hello everyone,

Maybe someone will be able to enlighten me. For the reference my horse is KWPN gelding 18h + tall.

I'm having a real hard time finding a fly rug with the correct size for my horse. I have purchased a Rambo Optimo Summer sheet size 160cm. The reason why I chose this is because I have tried a Rambo Optimo cotton sheet - size 165 cm was too big, 155 cm was too small (could not close the surcingles). I never got to try 160 cm size so I assumed that the Optimo Summer sheet should fit - but I was so wrong, at first it looked fine, but then he started rubbing off the manes, as he would bend down to graze. I think this neck cover style was just too tight. Second thing, the disc closure (the original Optimo Sheet does not have such closure) would dig into his neck and the rug started to slip to the right side extremely. Not so long after the neck part started to tear.

So I ordered Rambo Hoody XL 165cm, it came just today, I put it on, lovely room for the neck, lovely cover of the body, shoulders felt free but then once we walked on few steps the rug slipped back and was soooo tight on his shoulders and the neck cut was a bit curvy. After reading some similar experiences online I think that the rug is too big.. So now I'm so confused, I have 2 rugs over 300 euros, 1 half ripped, and a second one new in the bag but I cannot return because even though I tried to fit it carefully it did get a bit dirty.

I've measured him and he is rug size is 165cm that is for sure. He does have regular Rambo cotton stable sheets that does fit him fine but I knew that if I would order regular size Rambo Hoody the neck cover would be too small.

There are no other measurements than the length of the rug so how the heck do you determine?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hello everyone,

Maybe someone will be able to enlighten me. For the reference my horse is KWPN gelding 18h + tall.

I'm having a real hard time finding a fly rug with the correct size for my horse. I have purchased a Rambo Optimo Summer sheet size 160cm. The reason why I chose this is because I have tried a Rambo Optimo cotton sheet - size 165 cm was too big, 155 cm was too small (could not close the surcingles). I never got to try 160 cm size so I assumed that the Optimo Summer sheet should fit - but I was so wrong, at first it looked fine, but then he started rubbing off the manes, as he would bend down to graze. I think this neck cover style was just too tight. Second thing, the disc closure (the original Optimo Sheet does not have such closure) would dig into his neck and the rug started to slip to the right side extremely. Not so long after the neck part started to tear.

So I ordered Rambo Hoody XL 165cm, it came just today, I put it on, lovely room for the neck, lovely cover of the body, shoulders felt free but then once we walked on few steps the rug slipped back and was soooo tight on his shoulders and the neck cut was a bit curvy. After reading some similar experiences online I think that the rug is too big.. So now I'm so confused, I have 2 rugs over 300 euros, 1 half ripped, and a second one new in the bag but I cannot return because even though I tried to fit it carefully it did get a bit dirty.

I've measured him and he is rug size is 165cm that is for sure. He does have regular Rambo cotton stable sheets that does fit him fine but I knew that if I would order regular size Rambo Hoody the neck cover would be too small.

There are no other measurements than the length of the rug so how the heck do you determine?

I refuse to buy any Rambo rug, as they are always way to tight on my horses.

 

[Elza Stumpe]

I refuse to buy any Rambo rug, as they are always way to tight on my horses.

What rugs do you use? My horse is tall, big neck, I thought big shoulders but now I think medium. Maybe Premier Equine?

How can I add a photo here?

I tried QHP Big neck Fly Rug and it was even worse.

To be honest this Rambo XL version is just too big hence its slides back too much. So I assume I need to size down but I'm just too scared to buy let's say one size downs and again whilst I'm trying it it gets dirty and then I cannot return it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Perhaps they are just the wrong fit for him I only buy cheaper fly rugs as I find the expensive ones don't last any longer, I've only got small horses 15h and 15.3 the bigger one gets through them quicker I try not to use them that much anyway if I can.

 

[Elza Stumpe]

Perhaps they are just the wrong fit for him I only buy cheaper fly rugs as I find the expensive ones don't last any longer, I've only got small horses 15h and 15.3 the bigger one gets through them quicker I try not to use them that much anyway if I can.

He lives outside 24/7 , but I'm still competing. I wanted to clip him for a big show coming up (as he sweats a lot and just to make it easier for him), but I know he will need protection from the sun and the bugs...

I tried cheaper rug QHP his size and the big version and it was a really really bad fit.

I have Horze Nevada rain sheet that fits him so so good, just regular 165cm. A lot of rugs I've tried are like crop top for him due to his size. But the Nevada is perfect. I'm not sure how generous are the fly rugs from Horze..

As he lives outside I wanted to invest in a really good rug with UV protection etc.

 

[SEL]

I haven't found Rambo good on anything with a more chunky shoulder / neck area. Ruggles, Shires Highlander or even Big Horse are better for horses who are wider in that area.

 

[Palindrome]

You could try Weatherbeeta (great quality) or Shires (not as strong, a bit less expensive, usually spot on on sizing).

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I would also spot wash the slightly dirty patches on the fly rug you tried on and then return it. As long as it's not damaged, I don't think this would be the wrong thing to do.

PE always fit my 18.3hh very well - and he had high withers, so most rugs would pull across the bottom of his neck. Ruggles are also good

 

[Birker2020]

Premier Equine never fit Lari very well once he'd built up his topline. He became very musclely over his chest and his fly rug was very tight across his shoulders.

 

[black and brown]

I put a clean rug on first when trying a new rug to keep it clean. An old bed sheet probably does the job just as well. It shouldn't alter the fit too much and should mean you can send the rug back if needs be.

 

[blood_magik]

another vote for premier equine. Mine is over 18hh and in a 7’3 and these fit him very well.

Everything else looks like a mini-skirt on him or is too tight over the shoulders

 

[Tiddlypom]

I put a clean rug on first when trying a new rug to keep it clean. An old bed sheet probably does the job just as well. It shouldn't alter the fit too much and should mean you can send the rug back if needs be.

That's what I do, too. I posted this pic recently about trying a Rambo Wug for the first time on my chunkily built IDx cob. I put it on over a DriRug (the blue rug you can see peeping out underneath) first to test the fit.

Rambos (the usual type, I've not tried an XL) do fit my chunky types.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

What rugs do you use? My horse is tall, big neck, I thought big shoulders but now I think medium. Maybe Premier Equine?

How can I add a photo here?

I tried QHP Big neck Fly Rug and it was even worse.

To be honest this Rambo XL version is just too big hence its slides back too much. So I assume I need to size down but I'm just too scared to buy let's say one size downs and again whilst I'm trying it it gets dirty and then I cannot return it.

I found Fal pro or Gallop as a cheap alternative. Gallop fits mine really well, big chested big neck mare.

 

[Elza Stumpe]

I was just too excited for the rug, I did put cotton sheet under but without neck. So it got dirty on the neck and ear part, so totally my mistake also the shipping of the rug was 23 eur, return will be the same or more even if they accept it. I tried to resell it but as it's an expensive rug not much of interest.. Now thinking to ask seemstres to alter. Anyone has experience with that?

 

[SEL]

I found Fal pro or Gallop as a cheap alternative. Gallop fits mine really well, big chested big neck mare.

I agree that gallop can fit the big chested ones - my part bred draft is out in one of their rain sheets tonight.

 

[Elza Stumpe]

I think I found the reason why the rug does not fit even though I followed the guide lines - back seam supposed to be 165cm, on this rug it measure 180 cm.... How is that even possible? And the total length is 230 cm even though it should be 221 cm, no wonder it is way way to big. I think this is Horseware issue as it does not match the size they say it should be. I sent this info to the online shop and Horseware - for now they answered my horse would be a better fit for 160 cm - to which I responded - how could I know that? They do not disclose that XL rug are longer - it should be same size as regular just bigger neck, deeper chest.

In the photo the hand is where the tail starts.

I hope Horseware will come back with solution with the online shop to swap it free of charge or refund full money because I think is their error. Maybe all the batch is wrong size?