Favorite 100g Turnout Blanket - 2022 edition

As I’ve perused European tack shops, denier over 1000 seems rare. Which has made me wonder…is the obsession with a bigger number just an American thing, and is it necessary? I sure don’t know, and don’t think I’m willing to risk the $$.

But the Busse rugs do remind me of the older Rambos in style, before they went to the three surcingles, and the rings for the hoods.

Good point. Maybe it’s not. I did just see a Ben Atkinson FB post where he says LeMeiux (sp?) are the best blankets and they had an interesting chest clip.

Yeah, I saw these when I was looking around. Really just a typical t buckle, but angled on the top.

Meh, that just doesn’t do it for me, ykwim?

(But hey, 1680 denier!)

1 Like

I do know what you mean. The chest closure looks slight for one thing. Kind of like the new Rambo plastic snap plate things on the Autumn Series.

Ben is an ambassador for Le Mieux so not exactly unbiased. Their rugs are copies of the Rambo’s, but quality is poor IME and the fit is all over the place.

Then again I just can’t understand the love for Premier Equine rugs, I find them heavy and poorly fitting on anything I’ve owned.

It’s such a shame that Horseware rugs are declining in quality; I’m so thankful I’ve stockpiled so many in the last 20 years and they are lasting forever! I do also like the Bucas Power rugs and the older style Fals.

2 Likes

All that is so good to know. Thank you. And yes, lucky lucky you to have al those old rugs.

The LeMieuxs look cool but I’ve also heard very mixed reviews about them so haven’t bothered to buy one.

Interesting to hear that you’ve found the PE rugs heavy and poorly fitting–as with everything, YMMV! Then again, I’ve never owned a Rambo and certainly not one of the old ones. It’s possible if I had them for comparison I’d think less of the PE rugs. I liked my Rhinos well enough, but still didn’t feel like they fit my horses as well and the Rhinos rubbed my sensitive guy’s shoulders raw (literally everything but PE and one of my Shires blankets have rubbed him to various degrees, though). And I just couldn’t ever justify the pricetag.

Grateful this morning for my 70g-100g blankets! Had a bunch of early work meetings so didn’t get the chance to yank blankets until close to 11, which is later than I’d like since the storms have broken and the sun is out. Nobody was sweaty under their blankets, even in 55 degrees and full sun. Still very curious to hear reviews of the Bow Horse blankets. They look really neat but I am a bit hesitant about the 1200d polyester. The one I’d be buying for tends to play hard and thus his blankets are the most likely to fall victim to teeth.

The Bow Horse arrived today. I’ll say up front for anyone super busy and wants the bottom line… . If Horseware Rambo can make a waterproof sheet I’m still a raving fan and will exclusively order from you. I WANT to spend less on a turnout but there is something about that V front closure (those of you who know, you know what I’m talking about). It’s security as well as a design in fit that molds around the front without rubbing.

Once you’ve had that FIVE way closure system with two sets of velcro and then your two snaps, you cannot walk away. And it’s a fit thing.

The Bow is going to gape at the chest unless I tighten the straps and that makes the shoulders too tight.

It also doesn’t have the extra flap strap to have the tail lift the flap and that is another really nice feature. Like must have. Do other brands have that strap like Rambo?

And a shout out to Adams for jumping for me to solve my 1680 replacement. Jeffers has been very disapointing. From now on, Adams will get all my Rambo business.

For anyone who refuses to spend what a Rambo costs, I do feel the Bow Horse is a very nice blanket in most other ways. Very nice. But a Rambo is like driving an Audi or other luxury vehicle and it’s why I drive a Honda Accord. Once you own a Rambo you don’t go back. As long as it’s waterproof. :smiley:


Comparing. The buckle did weigh 1/2 as much as the Rambos. (I got out my gram/ounce scale and weighed them) Right? :grin: I also confirmed the hardware on the new Rambos is as heavy as the past.

The strap quality on the Bow Horse was just as good as Rambo.

And they do have a triple velcro closure system. The strap folds on itself one more time than Rambo.
IMG_5212

But to keep the front from gaping open I’d have to tighten the front to where the shoulders would be too tight and rub. Nothing pisses a mare off like a blanket that rubs in the shoulder. Well, one of many things actually.

Two well built straps. I do prefer three.

Shoulders felt tight. Too tight. High quality pieces and work on the buckles etc.

No tail flap and it’s important for the health of the horse. I believe that.

I sure do wish this blanket had a couple things I need. Adding at least one more front closure, providing more shoulder freedom and a sewn tail flap and I’d keep it. It was $186.

1 Like

Aww, that’s a bummer. I really appreciate this insight.

I’m so tempted to try one of the Busse rugs. They’ve got the two snaps + two Velcro, like Rambo…plus the bonus of a little adjustability.

I’d already be on board if the denier was higher!

1 Like

Your point of the shoulder picture was particularly helpful to me. Thank you for sharing.

My horse is down right massive in the shoulder and that tightness will not work for him. You legit saved me the hassle of order and return on that blanket.

1 Like

I think it’s worth trying one.

The donk’s Amigo Pony Plus blankets are only 600 denier, and zero complaint with those. Lightweight, durable, and waterproof in their second season. The $50 Jeffers 250g I bought is only 600 denier, and it’s surprisingly durable feeling.

I suspect (but don’t know for sure) that as our modern fabrics improve, it’s not as critical for the denier rating to be as high as it was with older materials. :woman_shrugging:

1 Like

Huh. So I was poking around on the Busse Flexible Pro, and they offer a “plus” option. Which is:

“This blanket model is also available in intermediate sizes 130 cm and 140 cm as well as in plus sizes with a special fit for horses with a broad chest, pronounced shoulders and a strong neck.”

That’s kind cool.

This price seems so reasonable. Shipping is $29 for me:

https://www.equishop.com/en/winter-horse-rugs-up-to-500-gr-or-more/31543-busse-flexible-pro-250-horse-turnout-rug.html#/color-burgundy/

Size is different, it’s back length. Here’s a chart:

1 Like

That … is my horse.

I’ll be trying one after the holidays.

Yeah wow. That’s the triple closure just like Rambo isn’t it. Do we know if they have the tail flap? And what is that denier? Oh that’s right. They are really foreign. Like we need a translator.

I’ll order one. I’ve got a PSSM2 guy who is gonna put me in the funny farm if I don’t get some waterproof blankets sorted out.

Ok, so an order and then review? :upside_down_face:

Okay I ordered the Busse Flexible Pro in 250 grams, along with the neck cover. It was $225 all in with shipping (from Poland) from Equishop. My horses all wear a 75 in Rambo, so went with the 140 and a medium neck. I’ll report back once I have it in hand.

@PaddockWood yeah, they have a tail flap, but I think your complaint with the Bow is there’s no strap inside the tail flap for the tail? I don’t know if the Busse has that. (If that’s not it, I’m not sure what you mean? “Tail flap” to me has always been the piece of fabric that comes off the back of the blanket & covers the tail.)

1 Like

The Rambos, Rhinos etc have a piece of elastic at the top of the tail flap to tuck the tail through. My BO says that creates a safety risk - I’m not sure how - so I don’t use them on my older mare’s blankets.

:eyes:

Ikr?! Legs!!! :joy:

I kinda want one! We’ll see how the winter blanket does

Talk about full coverage! Maybe they have terrible bugs wherever this company is from or something!

Might be worth a shot. My pony would look hysterical in it, but I’d have to hem the pant leg cuffs. Pony is built like a basset hound.

Are you (or anyone!) by chance familiar with this shop? They have the lighter fills in the “plus” sizes

1 Like