Vale Brothers and all

criso

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Because customers would then measure the rug and say it isn't the length stated, I could guarantee it! They stretch once on the horse, hence the discrepancy.

I had the Lansdown equivalent after having had a Thermatex and I slightly preferred it. Very similar.
I bought one fairly recently (seconds sale) and was much bigger even before stretching. Horse takes a 6'6" , bought a 6'3" and could really have done with a 6'. Hanging down at the back the first time it was laid on. It's ok to use but I wouldn't have been happy if I'd paid full price to get one made. Same applies to my quarter sheet and horsewalker rug.
 

SilverLinings

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I bought one fairly recently (seconds sale) and was much bigger even before stretching. Horse takes a 6'6" , bought a 6'3" and could really have done with a 6'. Hanging down at the back the first time it was laid on. It's ok to use but I wouldn't have been happy if I'd paid full price to get one made. Same applies to my quarter sheet and horsewalker rug.
That's useful to know as I've wanted a quarter sheet for a while, and as it's for a horse that takes 5'9"/6' rugs I was going to go for the size they suggest for 6' so I could use it on a slightly larger horse too, but it sounds as though that size would be too big for the horse I'm buying it for.
 

criso

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That's useful to know as I've wanted a quarter sheet for a while, and as it's for a horse that takes 5'9"/6' rugs I was going to go for the size they suggest for 6' so I could use it on a slightly larger horse too, but it sounds as though that size would be too big for the horse I'm buying it for.
I've got a 4'6" quarter sheet which Thermatex suggest for a 6' to 6'6". Unlike the picture on their website, it hangs below the tail a couple of inches. It's fine and doesn't slip and not a bad thing for a horse as rain sensitive as mine but doesn't fit like the pictures. He's a tb and not especially short in the back.
 

SilverLinings

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I've got a 4'6" quarter sheet which Thermatex suggest for a 6' to 6'6". Unlike the picture on their website, it hangs below the tail a couple of inches. It's fine and doesn't slip and not a bad thing for a horse as rain sensitive as mine but doesn't fit like the pictures. He's a tb and not especially short in the back.
Thank you, that's a really helpful guide for the sizing :)
 

ester

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I'm yet to see a thermatex that isn't pulling on the shoulders, I think other brands doing the same did that better (I had a fal that was similar)

I do still have a pair of waterproof long chaps from them though and some emergency slipper socks that were bought at a particularly cold badminton while camping.
 

Bobthecob15

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I had the Swish(?) version, material just as effective and luxurious, proper buckles and cross surcingles, half the price.
.
ooh which one is this?

I love the Thermatex rugs but I agree there are probably others that are just as good now and for less money.
 

ycbm

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ooh which one is this?

I love the Thermatex rugs but I agree there are probably others that are just as good now and for less money.

I'm not sure they make them any more. I was sad to give mine away because it's too small for Charlie, there really is no better material for drying a wet horse on a cold day (you can scrape the dew off the surface, for those who don't know) .

Can anyone give us a pointer to rugs made in that multilayer loose weave stuff now?
.
 

ycbm

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Bobthecob15

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Can anyone point me in the direction of the thermatex seconds site please?
There isn't one, they have some on their page intermittently.https://www.thermatex.co.uk/thermatex/Annual-Seconds-Sale-2022.html November is when they usually have their sale.

But there is a Facebook page? Did you mean that? there are a couple on Facebook if you search on there.
 

Bobthecob15

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Great, thank you these look ideal!
 

criso

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Can anyone point me in the direction of the thermatex seconds site please?
They usually do a big sale in November via their website however they've started doing small sales randomly,, you need to watch the Facebook page. Everything goes really quickly.

The Thermatex Equestrian Buy and Sell Group Only Thermatex Please! is the main Facebook for resale. It's private so you have to join. Seconds stuff turns up there at cost where people don't like the colour or it doesn't fit as well as full price secondhand.
 

Bobthecob15

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FYI I've just got a Weathrebeeta Thermocell from Sports Direct for £36 😂 Massively reduced and then added the extra 20% off code, bargain! Thanks so much!
 

sbloom

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I'm yet to see a thermatex that isn't pulling on the shoulders, I think other brands doing the same did that better (I had a fal that was similar)

The Lansdown one has shoulder shaping, gives it more "construction" but a very similar fabric, developed by the chap that developed the original Thermatex fabric (or so I was told 20 odd years ago).
 

AandK

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They usually do a big sale in November via their website however they've started doing small sales randomly,, you need to watch the Facebook page. Everything goes really quickly.

The Thermatex Equestrian Buy and Sell Group Only Thermatex Please! is the main Facebook for resale. It's private so you have to join. Seconds stuff turns up there at cost where people don't like the colour or it doesn't fit as well as full price secondhand.

Thank you!
 

9tails

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I find the Thermatex too thick for anything but the coldest days of winter. I bought a Weatherbeeta Thermocell at least 10 years ago, there are no pulls and it's a lot lighter but does exactly the same job. It washes really well too. No way did I spend more than £50 on it, it's the most used rug for cooling down after winter riding or a bit of warmth overnight on cooler but not cold nights.
 

SilverLinings

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Thermatex appear to be having some website-related minor IT problems, so I hope that means that they and the other companies affected are being inundated with orders which will make them attractive to potential buyers. I finally got around to ordering an exercise sheet yesterday (after wanting a Thermatex one for over 20 years) and have received a manually generated email confirming the order as apparently the website isn't playing ball.

Even just 20/25 years ago there used to be such a good range of good quality rugs and tack (and riding clothes) made in the UK by British companies, but the choice seems to be very limited now. It will be such a shame if it gets to the point that only Chinese-made (or other, often third world countries) equipment is available, which may be cheap but often involves poor quality materials and very poorly paid and badly treated labour. Environmentally it also usually involves huge airmiles, un-recyclable materials, coal-powered industry and poor environmental/pollution laws in the countries of manufacture. Considering the Government's apparent concerns about the environment you'd think they would be keener to support British manufacturing.
 

Sealine

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I've got a Weatherbeeta Thermocell. I paid £20 for it on ebay at least 10 years ago thinking it was a normal fleece and I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived. It's had a lot of use particularly when I was hunting and travelling a fully clipped horse in the middle of winter. Great rug!
 

Bobthecob15

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I've got a Weatherbeeta Thermocell. I paid £20 for it on ebay at least 10 years ago thinking it was a normal fleece and I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived. It's had a lot of use particularly when I was hunting and travelling a fully clipped horse in the middle of winter. Great rug!
Oh fab! I suspect this is a newer design and probably with cheaper materials...call me cynical!! I'll see what it's like when it comes, if no good I'll resume my search for a second hand thermatex! Can't justify new at the moment and I'm not convinced the November sale will happen now
 

Bobthecob15

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Argghhhh! Not got my size!
Oh no! What a pain!

Weatherbeeta Thermocell one arrived today and its fabulous!! Its slightly thinner than the thermatex i have, but fits so much better around the chest and the cross surcingles are great. Feels like a decent rug and even better that it was under £40!

TBH the thermatex is so heavy it wouldn't really be useful for travelling other than the depths of winter x
 

criso

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So VB have a new owner.
Does anyone know if their products can now be bought again or will it be a while yet ?
You could still buy Thermatex and they were doing shows.

Their website has just been taken down in the last couple of days though you can order by phone so maybe a revamp with the new owners.
 
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