Rhino or SmartPack?

[tallyho392]

First time using blankets/turnouts sheets,as I am now boarding,so don’t have much practical knowledge about these things.
Horse currently wearing heavy blanket with lite turnout sheet overtop, to provide more weatherproofing and keep under blanket in better condition.

She has already ripped the 1000D turnout, so I need to get another while this one is repaired. Looking to get a stronger one, and have read that the ballistic denier is better than plain higher numbered denier.
I found 2 choices, both at the same price…

Rhino no-fill turnout,1000 ballistic denier,and the salesperson tells me that the waterproof layer is NOT the top layer,so that if top layer gets ripped, the horse still stays waterproof. Says she has had hers for almost 10 years.

Smartpack Ultimate turnout, guaranteed against rips for 10 yrs,or replaced. Says it ESPECIALLY made for horses who are tough on blankets…my mare seems to be tough on everything.

Any opinions?

[Posting_Trot]

Oddly enough, I have both.

The Smartpack one is 3 years old, and I just bought the Rhino this past fall (it’s the Wug version).

I like them both. The Smartpack has been very durable: no rips or tears. I’ve re-waterproofed it every year and it is still great.

The Rhino has been great as well. I bought it because a)it was on sale, and b) I like the front closure and the no leg straps.

So, I’ve got nothing but praise so far.

[keatssu]

I’ve had both and agree that both are great. I got the Smartpak sheet 15% off with their sale so it was a better deal. I don’t think you can beat the Smartpak with the 10 year guarantee. The outer fabric of the Rhino isn’t as tough as the Smartpak.

One of my mares is too broad in the chest for the Rhino Wug. The Smartpak is more adjustable.

[2foals]

Hi keatssu! OP, I’m a big fan of the Smartpak Ultimate turnouts. I’ve been replacing older Rambos and Rhinos with them this past year. I had one get ripped, and getting it replaced was easy as pie–I just boxed it up and sent it back to Smartpak and they sent the replacement back very quickly. The others have (so far) been very durable. The Smartpak blanket quality and design is really excellent as well. I like the way the neck is cut and the shoulder gussets, right down to just a little bit of elastic where the surcingles are sewn on. I agree with keatssu, the shoulder design fits more horses (and rubs less).

My only complaint was that the neck covers from last year (maybe they have changed this) attached with a snap that damaged the horse’s manes. I haven’t ordered any more neck covers, but this can easily be altered.

The Rhino is a great blanket, but the Smartpak quality is comparable and the 10 year guarantee has it beat, IMO.

[AlterTops]

Just ordered a Rhino (sale price was too hard to pass over!) but currently use the Smartpak Ultimate on my guy. This is only our second winter in it, but so far it looks brand new (minus the dust it accumulates when the weather goes crazy and goes from 30 to 80 for a few days then back to 30.)

[spacytracy]

I had an ultimate and it ripped, and they sent me a new one right away. The guarantee is what kept me going back.

[tallyho392]

well, THANKS to all of you…I was really not sure how to make a determination between the two, but you all have settled it…and ,I liked the elastic on the SmartPack belly straps as well,as shown on the video…
sMARTpACK,IT IS!

[AlterTops]

And SP is still 15-20% off today! (Depending on whether or not you have an USEF/USDF/etc membership)