Which rugs to buy?

[Blizzard]

Im looking to get my new horse kitted out for winter, and there is so much choice of rugs around I just cant decide!

He is a 16.2hh hunter, and is a little bit ribby at the moment so I dont want him to lose any more condition over winter.
So Im thinking I should get him a good heavyweight turnout for winter, as he will be living out.

So now I just need to decide if I want a full neck, detachable neck, high neck or normal LOL.
He will be unclipped too.

The Rambo rugs look super but are very pricey, but I do want a rug that is going to last, and that he can wear all day comfortably. Are they as good as they say?

Would be interested to know what you lot are using and what are the best (also any cheap sites would be great!).

I already know Equestrian Clearance but they dont stock Rambo rugs.

 

[rach1984horse]

I had a Weatherbeeta Freestyle on mine last year. Was a really good rug.

 

[barneyandem]

Bucas!Without a doubt are the best rugs ive ever used!I like horseware stable rugs but i dont think much of their turnouts as my horse has destroyed a fair few in previuos winters!If your horse is considerate with their rugs then they are probably a good buy in fairness!

 

[Nari]

Depends on the horse. I'm not a big Masta fan but I end up buying them because they fit my horse better than anything else. I love Weatherbeeta but they just don't fit him, within days he's rubbed & sore

Depending on your budget I'd say get two cheaper rugs rather than one expensive one, that way you'll always have a spare if one gets ripped or wet through. I'd also go for MWs & layer rather than a HW that may be too hot on milder days.

 

[Louby]

My boy is good with rugs but his friend trashes MY rugs. It was awful, one lasted two weeks. I just couldnt keep up with it so I bought a Rambo Wug as they are made from Ballistic Nylon, it broke my heart to put him out with No 1 rug trasher and now its on its 3rd winter with not a mark on it. Its been the best rug Ive owned. Fal are good too. If your horse is good with rugs then I'd have a Shires or cheaper Weatherbeeta like the Orican (great rug too!) if not I really do believe you get what you pay for, I cant knock the Rambo or Fals dearer ones. Rhino are ok for non rug trashers but deffinately not as strong as the Rambo.

 

[WHOKNOWSWHAT]

weatherbeater orican combo ive had one 3yrs coming up to its forth yr still as good as new, i use it as a stable rug too just pull the neck back lightweight breathable and keeps them warm price is modest too about £70 highly recomended

 

[brightmount]

I've bought these for my two for the depths of winter:

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/perl2/v2.cgi?page=/templates/details.html&productid=16087

Bargain - £100 off! They are VERY thick though so only likely to be used when it's substantially sub-zero.

I have a couple of middleweight FAL rugs I like, and I also like Masta rugs because of the surcingle slots both sides that let the rug hang neatly. I also have a dead cheap Royston rug that was brilliant for the money.

 

[Petrie]

I like the Rambo rugs a lot. I have the lightweight turnout Wugs, and they're absolutely fab. They are pricey at around £85, but well worth it. I have tried cheaper ones, but they just fall apart, fit badly, or let in water, so you end up buying more anyway.

I have the full neck winter turnout ones too, but not the thickest version. I don't find I really need it, and if I feel I need extra warmth, I just layer it with the lightweight turnouts or a medium weight one.

My horses are clipped and come in at night. I leave the turnout rugs on indoors too. They so light and comfortable now, and as long as the wet hasn't gone through, they dry perfectly well on the horse from it's body heat.

I have one Fal middle-wight with a high neck, which is also lovely - the check coloured one which is around £75. Really good, and actually quite thick and warm.

 

[Taz975]

I know the rambo ones are pricey but i REALLY rate them, and they last for ages.

 

[Happy Bird]

I usually buy either Rambo or Weatherbeeta (and most interestly they were joint favourites in the survey). I would probably favour Weatherbeeta out of the two, if your horse is particuarly wide.

 

[CJ1]

Just wrote a long shopping list, basically for WBs. Is there much difference between the Orican and the Arion?? is it just the £10 price tag? they have same weight/filling.

 

[Lucy_Ally]

If I had unlimited money I would buy Fal. However I am far from flush so I have just purchased a Premier Equine Winter Buster (medium) and it seems like a good rug and was certainly good value. We'll have to see how well it fairs to a winter with my beastie though!

 

[Blizzard]

Thanks everyone!

Well Im thinking of getting either a Rambo duo and buying the extra liner, so I can have it as 3 different weights.

Or buying 2 chepaer turnout rugs, MW and layering with a stable rug.

 

[wench]

I bought a fal slumberdown rug for my 17 hh tb x.

fit on him isnt very good... rubs his shoulders, and hes not a wide horse. The rug itself is long enough though. I have tried buying a bossys bib to fit underneath it (which fits perfectly), but isnt covered by the fal rug (which its supposed to be). so needless to say I would never buy him another slumberdown rug. The other fal ones may be ok tho.

your horse is gorgeous btw...

 

[helenandshadow]

I'd really recommend horseware amigo, fantastic rugs and quite cheap. weatherbeeta and royston are also fab, as are fal and rambo but very expensive!! don't like masta or shires because they leak. no experience of bucas so can't comment on them.

 

[Fiona]

HW rambo last for years - one of our heavyweights is on its fifth winter, no other brand including HW amigo have lasted more than two years. I wouls suggest an ordinary neck plus a seperate neck cover (or rug with detachable neck cover) as this is more versatile.
A lightweight and a heavyweight should get you through the winter, perhaps another cheapie as a spare in case primary rug gets trashed. I would rather have fewer good quality rugs rather than lots of cheaper makes. As many ridden horses wear rugs for a minimum of 6 months of the year, it makes sense for them to be comfy.
Best of luck with your new horse (and happy shopping)!!
Fiona

 

[wiglet]

I bought Rambo Duos for my two last year and they're brilliant rugs - so versatile. If your budget can run to it though I'd definately buy a second turnout rug for emergencies/the unexpected...

 

[Salcey]

I like Shires, they've always fitted everything I've owned really nicely.

 

[druid]

Mine's in it's 7th winter!

Rambos and Rhinos have lasted equally well for me with a Rhino Wug now in it's 5th winter. My Amigo has doen 2 seasons with only 1 small tear inflicted by a bitting horse.

 

[Fiona]

The lining on Sophie's Amigo has completely disintegrated, it does not feel as thick as the rambo lining. Have bought her a new rambo for this winter. Flo's MW amigo also has a few tears in the lining, and when someone bit her last winter, it ripped a 4" square hole in it. The rambos have no more than a couple of pluck marks each. Flo's isn't very deep though, which is annoying, as the tops of her legs get v muddy when she rolls, Ben has the old style one with the straight hem and its so long it completely wraps round his tummy.

Fiona