Shires Tempest rugs-Worth The money?

Polos

Polos

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As my horse has decided to have another growth spurt none of my rugs I had for him fit him anymore. As I am a little short on cash at the moment so I was looking around for some 'budget' rugs that would just keep me going for a little while. My tack shop is having a sale on at the moment and in it are a turnout rug: http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=16658&cat=686&page=1 and a stable rug: http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=16142&cat=687&page=1 they are quite good prices in the sale (£40.00 and £35.00) and I'd be able to afford them now. Has anyone had experience of these rugs? I don't want to waste my money and find they fall apart!

I have had a look at amigo rugs but they are too expensive for me right now
 
Firstly, the Tempest 180 is cheaper on Hope Valley, if they still have your size.

Secondly, I got a few Shires rugs a few years ago (cant remember the model) as a just-for-now budget rug, as I had a few to buy for at once. They were MUCH better than I was expecting and have held up well.
 
We have used shires rugs and been very pleased. I would steer clear of Rhinegold rugs though. My boy came with some brand new ones, they are awful, they don't fit his shape, (I can't imagine what shaped horse they would suit) the fittings are cheap, on one of them the front straps when done up on then tightest holes don't allow the front edges to meet. One quite literally fell apart the first day he wore it. I don't think he is a rug wrecker as he wore an ancient weatherbeeta I found in the cupboard for the remained of winter without incident.
 
Rhinegold are awful MMB, I agree. Masta's turnout shape don't fit any horse I've ever had but I quite like their stable rugs, bizarrely.
 
Capriole said:
Firstly, the Tempest 180 is cheaper on Hope Valley, if they still have your size.

Secondly, I got a few Shires rugs a few years ago (cant remember the model) as a just-for-now budget rug, as I had a few to buy for at once. They were MUCH better than I was expecting and have held up well.
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Exactly the same here :) Now my main rugs are Shires (Tempest Lites), and that's what I get when I need a new one. And the ones they replaced were Fals (got a Fal Commander to replace a torn Fal Bulldog about 4 years ago, worst waste of money ever), Amigos (horse shredded it within a week) and Premier Equine (rubbed horses's chest and sizes were weird).

I rate the Shires above all of those and my horse rug tests them all winter in proper Scottish weather ;)
 
It depends what you're wanting from it...? if its to keep your horse warm and dry... the 180g tempest isnt the rug you need, they're fine in light showers/intermittent rain, but if its constant driving rain they arent 'waterproof enough'. I have 2, one for my gelding and 1 from my old mare (now redundant after she was pts earlier this year) they're a perfectly good sheet, cheap and cheerful - have no issues with the two i have - got mine for about £27 at a 'sale' at Tower Farm saddlers in Rugby.

However, i would strongly suggest checking out preloved & ebay - you'll probably find 2nd hand amigo/rambo/rhino etc. rugs on there for the price of a new shires... I swear by preloved now (particuarly after getting a beautiful thermatex rug for £35!!)
 
Shires rugs are great - affordable but just as good and tough as amigo or weatherbeeta in my experience. Some horses at the yard have swish rugs which seem a bit flimsy.
 
Another fan of Shires rugs here, I have a lw sheet that's been used & washed innumerable times and it's still waterproof - fab rug, I must have had it for about 5 years now!

The other ones I've always rated highly are Weatherbeeta, again they seem to stay waterproof and last a long time, my current turnouts are about 4 years old and are pretty much on all winter!
 
I have been surprised by the tempest range, I brought the 100g turnout a few years ago for a loan horse that didn't have a lightweight turnout. Fitted her lovely and when she went back it now fits my youngster, who livid in it last winter. It's washed amazingly well and was out in it today in very heavy rain and is still waterproof. It's my faveourite rug, all my other ones are swish/pe/weathebeeta but if the tempest got lost/damaged id be the most upset. A great rug at a good price, so much so I've gone a brought 3more tempest rugs for this winter!
 
I like them and find them to be waterproof and fit well. I also like Loveson rugs which are in the same price bracket equally good
 
Another who swears by Shires rugs. Mine are always really waterproof (and we live in an exposed area of the pennines with sideways rain!) and do a good few years. I just wish they had more tail flap when they're clipped.
 
I love my shires tempest rugs and have a whole range of different weights and ones with a neck and some without. Really really recommend them. I only ever buy them in the sale where you can get them for a really good price, sometimes it really pays to sort of plan ahead and buy say the HW ones in a spring sale ready for the following winter and vice versa - buy your summer ones at sale prices in the middle of winter.

Ive washed mine myself a few times now at the local laundrette as far cheaper than rug washing companies and you shouldnt really have to reproof if you use non bio washing stuff (I got this advice from Horseware Ireland/Rambo) to be honest by the time comes they really do need reproofing fully you've probably had a good coulple of seasons of full time use out of them and its probably more cost effective to just go out and buy a new version of the same rug - thats what I do anyway!

Really recommend them they are fab!
 
Id say they are pretty true to size JLD but personally if I have a horse who is inbetween sizes I always go for the bigger one x
 
I find them good on a middleweight type with a good shoulder and chest. They fit my husband's hunter type well, who doesn't fit into regular size breastplates and martingales..
 
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