New blanket time - Rambo, Rhino, or Amigo

[Texarkana]

@Dr. Doolittle

SO many conflicting reports is it Quality Control, or something else?

I too have had mixed success with all of the aforementioned brands.

I think Horseware Ireland tends to have some of the better quality control out of the brands available on the market. But blankets do seem to be horse/situation dependent. Poor fit, rough pasture mates, varying turnout situations can all affect how a blanket performs.

Regarding the Amigo line, there seems to be a huge chasm in durability between the lower denier models (Mio, Hero) and the 1200 denier Bravo line. I definitely think that plays into the conflicting reviews. Rhino and Rambo don’t have a low denier option, so that issue doesn’t come up in those lines.

[skipollo]

@Texarkana

I think Horseware Ireland tends to have some of the better quality control out of the brands available on the market. But blankets do seem to be horse/situation dependent. Poor fit, rough pasture mates, varying turnout situations can all affect how a blanket performs.

Regarding the Amigo line, there seems to be a huge chasm in durability between the lower denier models (Mio, Hero) and the 1200 denier Bravo line. I definitely think that plays into the conflicting reviews. Rhino and Rambo don’t have a low denier option, so that issue doesn’t come up in those lines.

Both of my current Amigos that I have major issues with are the 1200D Bravo Plus. No rough pasture buddies, the fit is meh (doesn’t rub him but definitely could be improved.) The stitching and fabric itself is super cheap and low qual, and the waterproofing is atrocious (aka nonexistent.) Luckily I got them on super sale so I didn’t pay full price because it’s 100% not a $250 blanket :no:

[Dr_Doolittle]

UGH!

Yeah, apparently everyone’s experience is different - so frustrating. Hard to know what blanket manufacturer to trust!

[ryansgirl]

@Texarkana

I think Horseware Ireland tends to have some of the better quality control out of the brands available on the market. But blankets do seem to be horse/situation dependent. Poor fit, rough pasture mates, varying turnout situations can all affect how a blanket performs.

Regarding the Amigo line, there seems to be a huge chasm in durability between the lower denier models (Mio, Hero) and the 1200 denier Bravo line. I definitely think that plays into the conflicting reviews. Rhino and Rambo don’t have a low denier option, so that issue doesn’t come up in those lines.

True… to a point.

All of my leaking Rambos fit perfectly, have no tears, caused no rubs and never had another horse touch them (absolutely NO roughhousing at all) but they all failed in the waterproofing department within the 3- year guarantee window - which should not happen with their price point - I specifically bought them because everyone raved about how waterproof they are. That to me says quality control by Horseware is horrible.

[Red_Barn]

Is there some special reason why you’re committed to those three brands?

I myself think Rambos are great, but their prices are getting a bit silly even for a good, high quality blanket. Amigo and Rhino, on the other hand, have a chronic style-over-substance problem, so I generally avoid them. In the mid-price range I’d probably go with Weatherbeata or Schnieder’s, or even the SmartPak or Dover house brands.

[findthedistance]

I work for a nonprofit located in a heavily horsey area, so we tend to get very nice donated goods. I’m intentionally moving our herd to all Horseware blankets as donations arrive. This is partly because the inevitable volunteer blanketing fail is much safer with no leg straps involved. (And I hate leg straps!) But it’s mostly because in my experience they fit well, don’t shift, and wear like iron. Our horses are turned out daily, in groups, in all weather.

If your horse is truly wide in the chest or needs a ton of drop, I’d go Rambo. If your horse is narrow in the chest, Rhino does well there. Fairly average horses seem to do fine in any of the three lines. I have plenty of Amigos and they fit all but the extremes. The Wug design in any of the three lines will tend to narrow up the shoulders a smidge relative to the fit of an original neck.

Regarding waterproofing, all of mine get professionally cleaned, repaired as needed, and re-waterproofed annually. It’s an investment, but I’ve got a bunch of the old purple and green Rambo wugs going strong and staying waterproof with that program, so for me it’s worth the investment. I went with an Amigo Bravo Wug for my personal horse with a very average TB build.

[sophie]

I had a unlined Rhino rain sheet that lasted at least 15 years on my mare, and was still 100% waterproof. I lent it to my BM for one of her older horses…his paddock mates ruined it in a few weeks
When I searched for that exact same sheet to buy it again,of COURSE they don’t make it anymore aaaargh.

So I went with another Rhino, a Wug light rain sheet, so far so good, and it fits my Tb mare very well.

For winter temps she has a Amigo Bravo medium turnout. She only wears it when it’s REALLY cold, but it’s about 5 (?) years old now and still in perfect shape.

I wonder, those who have problems with blankets, do you wash (or have them washed / re-waterproofed) often ? I’ve never washed mine, other than hose them down if caked in mud.

I was able to get both sheets at a fraction of their original price, purchased in Spring/Summer I think the full price is ridiculous (I won’t even talk about Rambos and the like :rolleyes: )

[ryansgirl]

@sophie

I wonder, those who have problems with blankets, do you wash (or have them washed / re-waterproofed) often ? I’ve never washed mine, other than hose them down if caked in mud.

I was able to get both sheets at a fraction of their original price, purchased in Spring/Summer I think the full price is ridiculous (I won’t even talk about Rambos and the like :rolleyes: )

All six of my leaking Rambos were either washed once in the spring with Rambo Wash (which did a horrible job) and hung to dry or were laid out on grass and scrubbed with just a brush. No detergent was used. That’s it.

[Hawks_Nest]

I’ve jumped off the horseware train entirely and we now buy our blankets from Premier Equine.

For $412.89 (that includes the shipping to the US!), I was able to get a 100g w/ neck, a 200g w/ neck, and a 250g liner that is compatible with both blankets. Their blankets have a longer drop and run a bit bigger than rambo but they hold up well, they stay in place, and so far we haven’t had a single issue with waterproofing.

ETA: Also, I placed an order from them last night and DHL says it will be here by thursday. Which is only a day longer than I’d normally wait for a smartpak order anyway.

[arabiansrock]

Where do u buy your premier equine blankets from?

[CanteringCarrot]

Oh yeah, Premier Equine is another good one. I’ve bought directly from them. I’d like to try more of their blankets but cannot justify owning more blankets at this point. IME, the fit is roomy.

I do also have a Shires turnout that is quite nice. It’s one of their higher end models, I cannot recall the name.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹FWIW I get my blankets professionally washed and re-proofed every year. Knock on wood, I’ve had no leaks with my Horseware blankets. I also use Rambo Wash on liners, sheets, stable blankets and other equipment and think it works quite well. It took me a time or two to discover the right amount that worked best.

[Hawks_Nest]

@arabiansrock

Where do u buy your premier equine blankets from?

Directly from them. They ship overseas no problem and even have flat rate shipping to the US

[arabiansrock]

Thank you hawks nest, I will look at their website

[VACavalier]

The Bucas is not waterproof. My brand new (never washed, no tears, etc) blanket soaked through during our first snow of the year. I will give Bucas credit and they are returning my money in full (given I provide proof of destroying the blanket). However after having pulled a soaking blanket off my horse, I will never trust or recommend their brand again. Very disappointed.

[carman_liz]

@Renn/aissance

I’ve been satisfied with the performance of my Amigo Bravo 12. It has worn the same as my Rhinos and my Rambo Originals. Amigo does run smaller in my experience (or otherwise their quality control is not as good, if others say otherwise.)

I wash them regularly in Nikwax and re-waterproof them every year with Rug Proof.

I use amigo bravo sheets with a liner underneath when its super cold. Wash in nikwax and rewaterproof in the nikwax softshell type before they get put up in the spring. Ive never had an issue with them! Adams horse supplies always has great deals on them. Recently got my pony one with the removable neck for under 150!

[Samantha37]

Premier Equine is the BEST! The blankets are reasonably priced, excellent quality, and the shipping is super fast.

I have had Rambo, Rhinos, Amigos and Amigo Bravos as well as Schneiders. Nothing has fit as well as the Premiers on the 3 different body types of horses that I own (including a big boy).

[tabula_rashah]

I have some of each- Rambos, Rhinos and Amigos. I’ve never had a bit of trouble with any of them and, in fact, have had some for 10 years plus (and all of my horses are on 24-7 turnout so the blankets get a good test). I won’t use any other brand- mostly because I hate shoulder gussets and the rubs they cause and I also detest leg straps