Difference between Horseware brand blanket models

[RegentLion]

Rambo, Rhino, Amigo, Mio… Whatever else.

Can anyone dumb it down for me? What’s the difference? Fit similar?

I used to buy all Rambo, but now that I have 6+ horses to outfit… I really would prefer to find a more economical way of doing this.

The old Rambos I had lasted for years.

The new Rhinos I have seem to tear easily both on the outside as well as the liner. Those are the navy blue check Rhino Wugs. Smartpak replaced one for me that tore through the liner after barely any use, but now two more have torn liners.

I absolutely hate Weatherbeta and I far and away prefer a Wug type cut, particularly for the narrower, high necked/high withered TBs.

So are the lower cost Horseware options reasonable? Or do I bite the bullet for a Rambo proper?

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Go to eBay. Watch for good deals on Rambos. I still buy the Optimo and the Supreme, with neck rugs, and buy liners to put under them. I’ve not tried the newer ones. Like the duo, so cannot tell you about them.

I recently bought 2 rambo supremes for 275.00 each. Last year’s color, black. My horses do not know as their old ones are navy, same style, different color. They won’t know they are wearing last year’s color.

Just keep checking eBay. Make offers on sheets and blankets. Sometimes sellers will discount. Always ask if the rug is waterproof, then if not, you can return and get your money back. I’ve never had a problem, most rugs are never used or just tried on, etc.

Buy liners, a smaller liner or a larger liner will work in the same rambo supreme or optimo. I know this for sure.

[IPEsq]

I think Rambo and Amigo fit the same. The main difference is usually in the straps and leg arches, although newer Amigo Bravos will have some of the same features as Rambo. The Amigo Mio is not as high denier nylon and doesn’t work with the liner systems or hoods, so that’s why it’s a lot cheaper. I only have one Rhino, and that line used to have more of the Rambo closure features, but now Amigo is catching up. As far as fit, I think the Rhino has a shorter drop than Rambo and Amigo, which is why I only have the one rain sheet. The wug cut doesn’t fit my horse anymore, so I can’t really comment on it specifically. Overall, I think you will only get the plastic coated tail strap and the completely removable surcingles (velcro on the off side) from Rambo. All lines have some options for the V closure, snap closure, and now Amigo has a new disc design. Rhino and Amigo have at least front leg arches. Some have both arches. Some new Amigo Bravos also have 3 belly straps. With the rate my horse has grown through his clothes, I’ve used a lot the past few years! For the price and features, I tend to go with Amigo Bravo now. He’s not super hard on his clothes, though…at least for the brief period they fit.

[IPEsq]

Btw, I have a lightly used heavy Rambo Wug for sale on the used Horseware facebook group

[theresak]

Rambo - Top of the Horseware line - strongest fabric, have the most engineered hardware and cut/fit

Rhino - Mid of the Horseware line - some of the same cut/fit but the hardware, straps or something will differ from the Rambo line

Amigo - Low of the Horseware line - generally lower denier fabric or not as waterproof/strong, not cut as well, hardware and straps will be similar to other blanket brands

Having had an Amigo rainsheet shredded from flank to flank and to the tail flap, I won’t buy those anymore. I just watch for Rambo blankets on sale (netequestrian, Adams, horselovers, eBay, Facebook) and buy them then. I have a confirmed blanket destroyer (Schneiders, WB, Amigo, Centaur…).

[RegentLion]

Thanks, good idea to check eBay. I’m not a color purist… Can’t afford to be!

coth ate the rest of my post.

[RegentLion]

@WildandWickedWarmbloods

Go to eBay. Watch for good deals on Rambos. I still buy the Optimo and the Supreme, with neck rugs, and buy liners to put under them. I’ve not tried the newer ones. Like the duo, so cannot tell you about them.

I recently bought 2 rambo supremes for 275.00 each. Last year’s color, black. My horses do not know as their old ones are navy, same style, different color. They won’t know they are wearing last year’s color.

Just keep checking eBay. Make offers on sheets and blankets. Sometimes sellers will discount. Always ask if the rug is waterproof, then if not, you can return and get your money back. I’ve never had a problem, most rugs are never used or just tried on, etc.

Buy liners, a smaller liner or a larger liner will work in the same rambo supreme or optimo. I know this for sure.

So which ones are the duo systems? Would you say the fit is close enough to rely on, will a 75 always be a 75?

[DoubleDown]

Here are the basics-
Rambo- made with ballistic nylon, meaning SUPER tough, removable surcingles, fillet strap. HW recommends when you measure for the Rambo line you subtract 4" from the measurement you get. YMMV here, my mare measures and wears an 84" in Rambo & Rhino, both fir her beautifully.
Rhino- barrier technology, where the waterproofing is actually a layer under the top, meaning that if you snag/tear the top, and not the white waterproof layer, your blanket should still be waterproof. Outside fabric is polypropylene fabric which is stronger and lighter than traditional polyester fabrics.
Wug- this is a high neck style available in Rambo, Rhino, Amigo.
Plus- means that it comes with a detachable neck piece, this is available in most of the different blankets.
Amigo- these are more what you’re used to seeing with a 1200 (Bravo 12) or 600 ( Hero 6) denier/polyester. These also have fill all the way to the bottom of the drip strip. The Bravo’s have reflective strips, and three belly surcingles
Mio- 600D polyester, no leg arches, fill only to the bottom of the top color, leaving the drip strip with no fill.

Hope this helps!

[halt]

I have had all of their blankets. The Rambo is at least 15 years old. It belonged to a big sassy draft when I was riding at a farm over a decade ago and it was not new then. It then became another horse’s blanket when that horse sold, and then when that horse was PTS about five years ago, it was gifted to me and has been my rough TB’s winter blanket every year.

It just ripped last winter, but nothing some sewing cant fix. I know exactly how it happened (blanket tag).

I agree with the above poster about the differences in fit. I think the biggest difference is the quality in stitching and the hardware quality. There is not much a difference in quality between Rambo and Rhino other than material is slightly different - huge difference in quality/material between Rambo and Mio.

The Mios I have had, if you get a Mio, reinforce all of the hardware flaps/holders. The straps are always the first to go in the Mio. You wont get much more than a season out of a Mio.

The Amigo is a little better but same thing, you want to reinforce all the stitching where the straps are. Mine didn’t even last a season and it was on a horse that was on stall rest! So not exactly being abused!

I don’t like how expensive Rambos are, I think it’s ridiculous… The material does not even cost $200 to make… So I shop used Rambos and have gotten good deals that way.

[IPEsq]

I think Rambo Duo and Amigo Plus have the neck covers included. Otherwise, you can buy separately. The last Amigo Bravo I got I ordered from Adams. If you buy the blanket, you get the option to order the neck for half price. Doing it that way came out to be cheaper than buying the full set option, and I got a neck with fill vs the standard for that blanket was no fill.

[RegentLion]

@IPEsq

Btw, I have a lightly used heavy Rambo Wug for sale on the used Horseware facebook group

Searching out the group now! My guys are little though and I feel yours might be big. But I didn’t know the group existed!

[IPEsq]

The one I have for sale is 81. I see a lot posted in smaller sizes frequently, so definitely search around!

[MCF1991]

I like the Rambo for the bigger heavier blanket. I get the Supremes as well with the neck cover and love the wugs for retired type that live out. For sheets, I think you can go the cheaper route of the Amigo although I think the quality has deteriorated in both Amigo and Rhino in terms of staying waterproof. I have old old old Rambos that are still waterproof, and I haven’t had the new ones long enough to know. The newer amigo sheets my mom has she says are not waterproof after two years.

Economically if you buy the duo’s they are great, but as a former groom I hated them. So hard to fold and put away in a nice looking way. The rings that the layers attach to is also one more thing that can break on the blanket. However the idea of having multiple weights in one blanket is brilliant.

By all means stay away from the amigo mio. It’s cheap for a reason. Sooo cheap you might as well put a piece of paper on your horse. Also agree that Ebay is a great source or the Rambo trade in offer.

[joiedevie99]

As far as Amigos go Mio is the worst, and I never buy them. Amigo Hero is their middle product. I’ve never seen one to comment. Amigo Bravo 12/1200D is a nice product, and it’s my step down from a Rambo. Depending on which specific package you choose, some include a neck cover, and some include the higher end Rambo features - like the new front buckle thing. I believe all the new-release Bravo 12’s take liners as well - although some older ones didn’t. It usually has that in the listing though.

[IPEsq]

I have one Amigo Hero. It also doesn’t have the neck or liner attachments. It’s 80g and was free when I bought the Rhino Wug sheet through a Dover coupon. For free, it has been excellent. lol! I have washed it a few times, and I don’t think it has held up in waterproofing as well, but it has mostly gotten use in the barn on those in between season nights. No rips or anything yet. I prefer the Rhino for when he has to stay dry. I prefer the Amigo Hero for when he wants to lay down to sleep in the barn, because the fit in the withers/chest and length is better. I used the Hero as a fit guide to decide to purchase a heavier Amigo Bravo that season.

[theresak]

The only difference I’ve seen in fit between the Horseware lines is the Optimos fit a lot bigger than the Rambos, etc. My horse can squeeze into an 84 and is comfortable in an 87 Rambo but the 87 Optimo is too big.

I think the Amigos, or any of their blankets without leg arches, can fit a bit tighter due to the cut and lack of shoulder darts.

[Simkie]

IPEsq, I really can’t believe you still have that rug and someone hasn’t snatched it up. Seven wears an 81, but I do NOT need a heavy. Really. I keep telling myself :lol:

[IPEsq]

@Simkie

IPEsq, I really can’t believe you still have that rug and someone hasn’t snatched it up. Seven wears an 81, but I do NOT need a heavy. Really. I keep telling myself :lol:

Lol! I keep telling myself not to be tempted to buy another horse just to use the rug! It’s too good to sit in a trunk! At least the current guy keeps me poor enough that’s not so tempting.

[joiedevie99]

@theresak

The only difference I’ve seen in fit between the Horseware lines is the Optimos fit a lot bigger than the Rambos, etc. My horse can squeeze into an 84 and is comfortable in an 87 Rambo but the 87 Optimo is too big.

I think the Amigos, or any of their blankets without leg arches, can fit a bit tighter due to the cut and lack of shoulder darts.

This is very true. I grabbed a clearance 75 Optimo sheet for my 75 PRE. He was swimming in it. My big guy is a 78/81 Rambo, and it’s a perfect fit on him.

[ryansgirl]

@IPEsq

Btw, I have a lightly used heavy Rambo Wug for sale on the used Horseware facebook group

Didn’t know that page existed so thank you! (Yes I have one to sell).