Weatherbeeta Thermocell - falls apart on normal use?

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Shay

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Dear HHO folks,

Has anyone any experience of weeatherbeeta thermocell rugs pulling apart where the surcingle is stiched to the rug? I bought one for my horse following reccomendations on here. He was worn it 5 times and it has just disintegrated. The photo is of one attachement point, but 3 of the 4 look like this. I've approached the company who I bought it from who approached Weatherbeeta. Weatherbeeta simply say that he must have laid down in it or rolled in it and the rug is not designed to withstand that. But its a rug? Its not a show rug or anything like that. He didn't catch himself in it, it wasn't pulled crooked on him or anything to suggest he had caught up in it and freed himself. It was fitted correctly, there is no other damage to suggest he caught it on something in the stable. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I being unreasonable to expect that a rug should be able to be worn overnight?
 

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no experience of these, but I've used my thermatexes overnight (though I try not to because if the horse lies down they pick up debris like nothing else). looks like the fastenings were stronger than the rug fabric :(
 
I’d say that’s not fit for purpose.

That said, none of my thermatex type of rugs have come with x straps. Only a thin belly strap
 
Mine hasn't done that, though now I need to check as it's on the other side, I've had it a good 8 years if not longer. I also like belly straps to be fairly snug, not dangling below the belly, so the attachment point would have a fair amount of tension on it as she gets up. I did have to reattach one of the front straps though, as the stitching came loose.
 
I can't remember if it was a thermo cell but a friend had similar issues with a weatherbeeta rug in exactly the same place. It was definitely an indoor rug/sheet/fleece.

They got a similar reply from weatherbeeta.

FWIW I've had weatherbeeta sheets and fleeces for years and never had any issues <touch wood>
 
I've had weatherbeetas for years too. They were - until this happened - my preferred rug. I've got two other thermatex type rugs - I think one is a Mark Todd and one an older weatherbeata - and nothing like this has happened to either of those. I wonder if they have changed suppliers or patterns or something. Its not as if it is a cheap rug!
 
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I had this happen on the same rug, although mine ripped on the seam over the shoulder on both sides

I bought mine on Amazon, seller (I think was Rideaway) refunded immediately and told me to keep rug
 
I've gone back to the seller (discount equestrian) to repeat that a rug that cannot be worn if the horse lies down is not fit for purpose and reminding them I am protected under s75 of the Consumer Credit regulations. I'm waiting on thier reply. But it is a bit rough on them - they sold it in good faith. WB should either review either the material used or put something on the packaging to say that the rug is display only and not to be used outside of a show / standing situation.

It would be helpful if any others have had the same recent expereince? My old WB thermal cooler is still going storng!
 
I've recently had a Weatherbeeta Therapy-tec rug fall apart after just a few wears. It ripped at the surcingles, huge holes on both sides. The material was very thin, definitely not as good quality as my older WB stuff.

My friend got one at the same time and had the same thing happen. We both contacted WB but they didn't care at all. Rugs were about 80 quid - fleece combos - and were supposed to be used instead of my old Back On Tracks which are getting a bit tatty, very dissapointed. The BOTs might be ratty but they've been in constant use for years with no rips!

I don't think WB are as good quality as they were, tbh. The fleece was thin enough to see through. Not what I expected.
 
I've had 3 x Weatherbeeta Thermo cell rugs for about 12ish years and none of them have done this! I have left them on overnight, layered them and no wear whatsoever, that said they are the older thicker type (Navy with Silver surcingles).
The newer type are thinner and not as tough perhaps? I do have one of the newer ones but haven't used it yet, seems a lot floppier and thinner fabric
 
I've got an old style navy and silver type too - no problems. This is the newer ultra thin thermo cell- chocolate brown and blue for what thats is worth. I was surprised with how thin it was when I got it - but its a make I've had for years and trusted.... to my downfall.
 
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Mine is an older type I think, bought quite a few years ago. Grey with pink piping. I think that Weatherbeeta stopped producing them for a few years, so must have brought in a new inferior model.
 
OK. So today weatherbeeta offered "a contribution toward the cost of repair.." But I bought the rug less than 6 months ago. So the retailer... sorry Discount Equestrian... has to prove that that the fault was not present on purchase. I have to give them one opportunity to repair or repalce - I have asked them if they want me to get a quote to repair but I doubt repair is possible. The rug would simply give way on the next stich line - which weatherbeta surprisingly say is "the strongest part of the rug" - Umm... no it isn't. Inerhantly a stich line breaks the integrity of the fabric and is a weak point. But anyway...

I am sorry for the seller. They acted in good faith but the Consumer Credit Regulations are clear. I'm not giving up on this....
 
A good news update - WB have finally agreed the rug is not fit for purpose and refunded in full. It took some perstering, a report from a rug repair company that the rug was beyond economic repair (and they found 4 more points of failure...) and a firm letter citing the Consumer Rights Act before they gave in. But they have now accepted it.

Scarlett - persevere with them. They will give in eventually.

And now I am off to buy a thermatex!
 
It seems the really old ones are OK- I have one too!- but the more modern construction is too flimsy. I presume WB found a cheap source and hoped to reduce costs. But the damage to reputaion is massive. I would have considered WB my first choice before this. Had they responded decently I still would. But thier customer service is lacking.

I should not take weeks of emails, of being aware of my consumer rights (for all I mis-stated one in an earlier post) to achieve what is in fact my right in law. As others have said WB brushed them aside. That is not reputable conduct- especially given how close knit the horse community is.

But - lesson of the story. Know your rights and insist upon them.

Hopefully this thread will help alert folk as to the poor workmanship (I only bought this rug on reccomendation from this forum) and to the importance of thier consumer rights.
 
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