Save for a Thermatex or other cooler alternatives?

[Bobthecob15]

Having had a thermatex rug in the past (and it last years) I'm keen to get another for our pony...but its been a long time since we've been cooler rug shopping so are there equally as good alternatives for a little less? Ideally good for drying off after a bath/rain shower, travel rug and general under rug as well as for sweaty ponies.

He's only 5ft/5ft 3 so we can't have the Mark Todd one as they start bigger...Premier Equine look good?

Thanks!

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I'd save for a Thermatex! They are just cracking rugs. Also keep an eye out for second hand, or if you're not particular about the colour, they do have sales occasionally!

 

[ycbm]

Rhinegold Celltex looks very similar for a lot less money. I have two Swish cell type rugs that are great but they don't sell them any more,
.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I'd save for a Thermatex! They are just cracking rugs. Also keep an eye out for second hand, or if you're not particular about the colour, they do have sales occasionally!

Yes I thought as much!! ? I've joined all the groups so will keep a look out! X

 

[terrierliz]

You can’t beet a thermatex but I do have a Rhinegold celltex as well which has proven good value for money

 

[Shooting Star]

Definitely thermatex but keep an eye on eBay too - I’ve had a brand new one with tags from there shortly after they had the factory seconds sale ... I’ve still no idea what’s wrong with it but I paid less than the used ones were going for, also got a very good condition used one with just a little snag on the inside only for £50 in a popular size & colour so bargains are there to be found.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thermatex are the best. However I currently have a shires version and that’s fine. My old loan horse had a Mark Todd Coolex (I think!)
Which had a neck as well and I really liked that one.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Mark Todd Coolex and Rhinegold Celltex are similar but they don't have the wool lining that a Thermatex has hence they're cheaper. Both are nice rugs and work well for drying and layering.
I also have the Ruggles wicking rug and it's excellent for drying. I've also used it for layering.

 

[SpeedyPony]

Never had a thermatex, so can't offer a comparison, but the weatherbeeta waffle cooler I've got is good- dries them off without being too heavy/warm.

 

[Winters100]

Sorry to go against the grain, but I sometimes wonder if us amateurs really need such expensive items (not sure if you are in this group OP, so apologies if not). I work my horses hard, but still I do not think we need items such as this. In winter a simple fleece does the job, I always have spare ones, so if I need to change them while the horse is drying it is no problem. When it is hot I turn them out wet after riding, they love it. Just a thought.

 

[southerncomfort]

I also have the Weatherbeeta waffle cooler and I really rate it.

I used it on Bo this week after a bath and was impressed by how quickly it dried him off.

 

[Goldenstar]

There’s simply not another wicking rug that equals a thermatex the original and the best .

 

[Winters100]

Is it that the horse dries quicker? A lot quicker or just a bit? Genuine question, not looking for debate, just wondering if there is something that I don't know.

 

[Spotherisk]

I won an Aerborn Thermalux in 1999, it’s still going strong!

 

[sunleychops]

I have the shires version and its just as good as my old thermatex

I think sometimes people want to make themselves beleive that a more expensive option is always better. There is nothing technical about a Thermatex rug.....

 

[Zoeypxo]

I like the PE cooler rug, use it all the time

 

[Shooting Star]

Is it that the horse dries quicker? A lot quicker or just a bit? Genuine question, not looking for debate, just wondering if there is something that I don't know.

Yes they dry quicker but as the rug material is wicking it ends up dry too whereas with a fleece the rug gets saturated

 

[Winters100]

Yes they dry quicker but as the rug material is wicking it ends up dry too whereas with a fleece the rug gets saturated

Thanks, this makes sense. I often end up changing the fleeces or asking grooms to do so if they are very wet. Happily (given the price) I don't need one. but I can see that this would be very useful in some circumstances.

 

[Tiddlypom]

My thermatex bought new in the mid 80s just after they first came out is still going strong. Fabulous rugs.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I won an Aerborn Thermalux in 1999, it’s still going strong!

I have their exercise sheet and only wish I could find one of their rugs !

 

[criso]

I was lucky to get a horse walker rug in their seconds sale last year. I've got a summer weight cooler and after a quarter sheet next.

I wonder if they'll carry on doing them online or go back to in person. I feel online was fairer as anyone can buy and in person, only people who could get there bought multiple and it all ended up on FB the next day.

 

[Goldenstar]

Is it that the horse dries quicker? A lot quicker or just a bit? Genuine question, not looking for debate, just wondering if there is something that I don't know.

Nothing compares with a thermatex for getting a tired cold wet horse dry in the dark on a Saturday night when you get it back filthy and exhausted .
Managing a horse that breaks out went from a awful worry to no problem I can still remember when I saw a thermatex in action on a hunter the magic of seeing water droplets sitting on top of the rug.
It was ages before I could afford one myself , I still have it .

 

[Bobthecob15]

Sorry to go against the grain, but I sometimes wonder if us amateurs really need such expensive items (not sure if you are in this group OP, so apologies if not). I work my horses hard, but still I do not think we need items such as this. In winter a simple fleece does the job, I always have spare ones, so if I need to change them while the horse is drying it is no problem. When it is hot I turn them out wet after riding, they love it. Just a thought.

Yes probably amateur but I bought one in 1996 and it was blooming brilliant...I just wondered if there was anything better as I've had a 20yr break from horses...seems its still the best!

 

[Bobthecob15]

My thermatex bought new in the mid 80s just after they first came out is still going strong. Fabulous rugs.

I got my last one in 1996 and stupidly it went with the horse when I sold it ? I bet its still going strong!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have the shires version and its just as good as my old thermatex

I think sometimes people want to make themselves beleive that a more expensive option is always better. There is nothing technical about a Thermatex rug.....

What's the make? Shires what? Thanks

 

[criso]

Is it that the horse dries quicker? A lot quicker or just a bit? Genuine question, not looking for debate, just wondering if there is something that I don't know.

I have a thermatex summer knitted rug which I got cheap as seconds. It's not the original with their technical qualities but still a very useful rug it seems to wick. It sits in my stable all the year round and gets used all the time from throwing over a wet horse in the winter to dry off to overnight when it's a bit chilly at warmer times of the year. I travel in it and take it to camps. It's a lovely blue with gold binding, it fits well and looks smart. It's on its 3rd horse.

Sometimes you buy something and it doesn't matter what it costs because you get so much use out of it, it earns its keep.

I've got various fleeces and they sit in storage never used.

 

[Spotherisk]

Here’s my Aerborn one, it has a big Eqvalen side on each side hence the red and yellow colours!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have a thermatex summer knitted rug which I got cheap as seconds. It's not the original with their technical qualities but still a very useful rug it seems to wick. It sits in my stable all the year round and gets used all the time from throwing over a wet horse in the winter to dry off to overnight when it's a bit chilly at warmer times of the year. I travel in it and take it to camps. It's a lovely blue with gold binding, it fits well and looks smart. It's on its 3rd horse.

Sometimes you buy something and it doesn't matter what it costs because you get so much use out of it, it earns its keep.

I've got various fleeces and they sit in storage never used.

This was the case with my last thermatex, I literally used it for everything...but those were the days we had 1 new Zealand turnout rug and 1 stable rug so the thermatex was used daily as an under rug, cooler, drier etc ...rugs have evolved since then! I loved mine x

 

[Tiddlypom]

This was the case with my last thermatex, I literally used it for everything...but those were the days we had 1 new Zealand turnout rug and 1 stable rug so the thermatex was used daily as an under rug, cooler, drier etc ...rugs have evolved since then! I loved mine x

If you look carefully you can see my navy bound red original thermatex rug poking out underneath my sec D's thin old canvas NZ rug, in c 1985. H&H magazine later used this pic in a feature on the evolution of rug design.

 

[Goldenstar]

IMO the best thermatexs are the ones filled with wool .