Bucas experience

[hokie98]

@Princess Sparkles

I haven’t owned any Bucas blankets personally for my horse but a boarder bought a brand-new Smartex Extra (I believe, its the big heavy blue one) and bought the neck attachment. I find the Bucas blankets super tight in the chest–this boarder is a very average sized horse and I was disheartened as to how small the fit was (the blanket was purchased in the horse’s normal size).

The neck attachment was absolutely ridiculous. It was sold as a size large, and my boarder was assured that for the size of the blanket (81) it would fit. It is the worst design I have ever seen. It fits the length of his neck fine, but is so tight when done up that it restricts the horse’s ability to put his head down. One of the straps does up right under the throat and both straps are so tight they pull against the hair. I was disgusted and immediately took it off. The horse has a completely average sized neck and I put it on other horses in the barn to prove that it didn’t fit anyone. I ended up using my trusty Weatherbeeta hood, which luckily attaches the same way as the Bucas one, on the boarder’s horse.

I love Weatherbeetas, they are my favourite for rainsheets and turnouts. My stable blankets are Rambos because they have a better fit for my particular mare than Weatherbeeta stable blankets, but Weatherbeeta turnouts can’t be beat in my opinion. And best of all, when you buy a blanket with a neck attachment setup, it comes with the hood included–none of this ridiculous purchasing separately crap.

And yes, it also is a bit of a racket that you pay $300+ for a turnout, but the darn neck cover is practically the price of some brand’s turnouts at what, around $140?! So it’s around $450 for the set. I haven’t even bought one, living without it, but disappointing to hear after spending that kinda $$ that it’s a poor fit.

[diceuf]

@hokie98

Since you’re in Tryon…Paradise Tack is the tack shop I was referencing. They had a mobile unit at Tryon’s facility, I think. I’ll be candid, the owner really sold me on the sheet (they love it!!), but I tried the big neck version since I had a QH - which ironically, I think big neck are for drafty types, but the regular size must be for super narrow horses - it’s as if there is little room in the middle. I had buyers remorse and they didn’t have another regular neck in my size, so I returned it, then after I had issues with blanket changes, ordered from State Line with a discount. I’m near Winston-Salem, so for the most part, it is great for our weather…but it does have a few shortcomings. I’ve come to determine that horse clothes shopping is a completely and total pain in the a$$, or maybe I just haven’t found the right combination of brand/blanket weight/etc. I’m a bit surprised though that some other manufacturer doesn’t make one similar, which could be telling in itself.

My TB mare is built like a WB cross. I’m starting to think Bucas wouldn’t fit her at all.

[diceuf]

@Princess Sparkles

I haven’t owned any Bucas blankets personally for my horse but a boarder bought a brand-new Smartex Extra (I believe, its the big heavy blue one) and bought the neck attachment. I find the Bucas blankets super tight in the chest–this boarder is a very average sized horse and I was disheartened as to how small the fit was (the blanket was purchased in the horse’s normal size).

The neck attachment was absolutely ridiculous. It was sold as a size large, and my boarder was assured that for the size of the blanket (81) it would fit. It is the worst design I have ever seen. It fits the length of his neck fine, but is so tight when done up that it restricts the horse’s ability to put his head down. One of the straps does up right under the throat and both straps are so tight they pull against the hair. I was disgusted and immediately took it off. The horse has a completely average sized neck and I put it on other horses in the barn to prove that it didn’t fit anyone. I ended up using my trusty Weatherbeeta hood, which luckily attaches the same way as the Bucas one, on the boarder’s horse.

I love Weatherbeetas, they are my favourite for rainsheets and turnouts. My stable blankets are Rambos because they have a better fit for my particular mare than Weatherbeeta stable blankets, but Weatherbeeta turnouts can’t be beat in my opinion. And best of all, when you buy a blanket with a neck attachment setup, it comes with the hood included–none of this ridiculous purchasing separately crap.

What Weatherbeeta neck style do you find works best for keeping rain from running down the shoulders? This is the reason I chose the wugs, but I’m not convinced they are the best fit.

[diceuf]

@Princess Sparkles

I haven’t owned any Bucas blankets personally for my horse but a boarder bought a brand-new Smartex Extra (I believe, its the big heavy blue one) and bought the neck attachment. I find the Bucas blankets super tight in the chest–this boarder is a very average sized horse and I was disheartened as to how small the fit was (the blanket was purchased in the horse’s normal size).

The neck attachment was absolutely ridiculous. It was sold as a size large, and my boarder was assured that for the size of the blanket (81) it would fit. It is the worst design I have ever seen. It fits the length of his neck fine, but is so tight when done up that it restricts the horse’s ability to put his head down. One of the straps does up right under the throat and both straps are so tight they pull against the hair. I was disgusted and immediately took it off. The horse has a completely average sized neck and I put it on other horses in the barn to prove that it didn’t fit anyone. I ended up using my trusty Weatherbeeta hood, which luckily attaches the same way as the Bucas one, on the boarder’s horse.

I love Weatherbeetas, they are my favourite for rainsheets and turnouts. My stable blankets are Rambos because they have a better fit for my particular mare than Weatherbeeta stable blankets, but Weatherbeeta turnouts can’t be beat in my opinion. And best of all, when you buy a blanket with a neck attachment setup, it comes with the hood included–none of this ridiculous purchasing separately crap.

Which Weatherbeeta neck style do you find works best for keeping the rain from running down the shoulders? This is why I went with Wugs, but I’m not convinced they are the best fit. I’m primarily use a sheet in my climate.

[diceuf]

@hokie98

Since you’re in Tryon…Paradise Tack is the tack shop I was referencing. They had a mobile unit at Tryon’s facility, I think. I’ll be candid, the owner really sold me on the sheet (they love it!!), but I tried the big neck version since I had a QH - which ironically, I think big neck are for drafty types, but the regular size must be for super narrow horses - it’s as if there is little room in the middle. I had buyers remorse and they didn’t have another regular neck in my size, so I returned it, then after I had issues with blanket changes, ordered from State Line with a discount. I’m near Winston-Salem, so for the most part, it is great for our weather…but it does have a few shortcomings. I’ve come to determine that horse clothes shopping is a completely and total pain in the a$$, or maybe I just haven’t found the right combination of brand/blanket weight/etc. I’m a bit surprised though that some other manufacturer doesn’t make one similar, which could be telling in itself.

I too am surprised more manufacturers aren’t making this. The idea of being able to throw a Turnout on a wet horse is very attractive! So you are a fan of the technology, just not the fit?

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Any neck rug that attaches to a blanket or sheet will keep rain from running down the shoulders. I’ve owned rambo, bucas and weatherbeeta takas. I prefer the rambo to everything else for both TBs and warmbloods.

[hokie98]

@diceuf

I too am surprised more manufacturers aren’t making this. The idea of being able to throw a Turnout on a wet horse is very attractive! So you are a fan of the technology, just not the fit?

Absolutely, if it fit better, I’d REALLY be sold. It’s pricey but, considering it could take the place of a turnout sheet & midweight b/c of the temp range, that sort of lessens the blow of the cost - although, that’s assuming it was a great fit. You can get fleece liners for other turnouts, which would wick the moisture similarly, and I believe Schneiders makes a fleece lined turnout. But I don’t think anyone else is making an aluminum inner lining. It’s like the aluminum warming sheets marathon runners are handed. Heck, Columbia and other brands are making jackets with that on the inside (my husband swears even a thin jacket with that in there is super warm). I just went to see my horse - he’s turnout with his Power Light on right now. He’s not clipped, but doesn’t quite have a show coat. He’s a little fuzzy (but certainly not full on natural coat), and he seems perfectly warm in it, and it’s about 35 or so & cloudy here now. I think the high will be 26 tomorrow, so I may have to do some layering. But again, I don’t know why others are making something similar unless Bucas has a patent on it.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

A bucas will fit a big chested horse, like my warmbloods, but not as well as will a rambo. The rambo won’t shift on the big rump of a warmblood or a TB who is not skinny. Freedom of movement without the shifting of the rug to one side or the other is what I want, and the bucas is not as good at staying put as is the rambo on both TBs and WBs.

[ladyj79]

My rider used bucas blankets when I met him. We replaced them all with blankets I prefer, which are only blankets with shoulder gussets and smooth inside lining.

[luvmyhackney]

For the price you can’t beat a Weatherbeeta. Mine have all lasted for 3+ years no issues. Only one that didn’t was because precious pony got undressed by a heathen in turnout.