Standalone turnout rugs vs. rugs with liners

[Simkie]

@Renn/aissance

So the 5 degrees and squall winds last night was a total of 650gm with 3 layers and a 150gm neck rug.

Yeah, I’d much rather achieve that fill # with a heavy supreme and a single liner. Or you may find you don’t need the liner, because you’re not losing loft and warmth by adding compression with each layer.

They’re not inexpensive blankets, but they’re really just super pieces that serve those very cold temps very well.

https://shop.horseware.com/product/rambo-supreme-420g-heavy/

Another thing to consider would be a back on track piece next to the horse, then your winter blankets on top of that. They make something specifically for that purpose, iirc. It’s certainly a way to add warmth without weight, and may really help address the grumpy when cold issue.

[Renn_aissance]

@Simkie You’ve mentioned the Supreme specifically. Are there things you like about this particular model over and above other heavy rugs from Horseware? It has a little extra fill compared to some other Horseware heavy rugs and comes with a neck but the Rhino (450g) and Amigo Bravo (400g) lines both have a heavy with neck that looks similar. I’ve been really pleased with the Bravo 12 line.

I’ve thought about the BOT base layer also but the horses I’ve known personally have all gotten rubs from that. Does it make enough of a difference to also add a shoulder guard?

[wildlifer]

@Renn/aissance

But it does sound like these are substantially lighter in weight than turnout rugs- is that right? I’m wondering if I can make my horse more comfortable in the most bitter temperatures by using a 200gm liner under a rug instead of putting on his midweight turnout in those conditions.

Yes, the liner (well, I’ve only used the HW liners, so can’t speak to others) + blanket over top is lighter than two blankets. It’s also less bulky, which is a bigger help for me, easier to fold up/carry/store. I have a very nice heavyweight blanket, but it takes up as much space as 2 midweights & is a full armload.

I also like that with liner + blanket I only have one set of straps on the horse & I never have to adjust them. When I was layering multiple blankets, I was having to let out or take in belly straps to allow for extra bulk.

I have not had liner get wet (despite hurricanes & winter storms, & my horses don’t have stalls, just their shelter). They are cut shorter so they don’t extend pass the blanket. Even if an edge gets wet, the edges have plenty of airflow next to an animal producing tons of heat so they dry themselves quickly.

With your plethora of blankets, you could easily designate a liner combo for super cold weather that just doesn’t get taken apart, as you mentioned above.

For me, the biggest advantage was the liner just gave me more flexibility, as it can be used with just about any blanket, for way less $$$ bc I just can’t & won’t spend $200-400 on a horse blanket. Saving me time & effort was a completely unexpected bonus. But ultimately, for anyone boarding, it will also depend on your barn staff too.

Good luck & hope you find your perfect solution! -another winter hater

[Shagyas_Rock]

I use liners - they are a little bit more work, but horses are a lot of work in general, so to me a little more hardly makes
a difference. I have found that the Schneider’s system works rather beautifully under just about any brand of blanket (not just theirs). These liners come in two weights: 180 gram and 220 gram, have closed fronts (no extra straps pressing on the chest), are very light weight, and stay in place perfectly, as they have slots through which you thread the leg straps of your turnout blanket.
My one gripe is that they are not more durable - but having said that - I still use mine even with a tear or two and they still serve the purpose just fine. They are also very affordable - around $49.99 each.
An easy way to remove a liner when temps rise is to simply unclip your turnout, pull the leg straps from the slots, fold the blanket back a ways and simply pull the liner out from under and over the horse’s head - then reposition the turnout blanket and clip it up again and you’re done.

[Simkie]

@Renn/aissance

@Simkie You’ve mentioned the Supreme specifically. Are there things you like about this particular model over and above other heavy rugs from Horseware? It has a little extra fill compared to some other Horseware heavy rugs and comes with a neck but the Rhino (450g) and Amigo Bravo (400g) lines both have a heavy with neck that looks similar. I’ve been really pleased with the Bravo 12 line.

I’ve thought about the BOT base layer also but the horses I’ve known personally have all gotten rubs from that. Does it make enough of a difference to also add a shoulder guard?

I’ve never used or had hands on a rhino or amigo heavy. I’ve used the rambo supreme heavy weights for…geez, maybe getting up to 15 years now. I know through quite a lot of cold weather experience that the supremes perform very well, not only in warmth but in breathability and durability.

The other horsewear brands may perform the same, I have no idea. 🤷 Rhinos regularly seem to get reviews that they’re cut with a shorter drop, though. My one laughably brief foray into amigo was with fly sheets, and it was…unimpressive :lol:

@Laurierace kept a back on track on her horse full time through the winter, iirc, so she might have some input on the rubbing. Other brands offer similar “warming” fabric, so you may be able to find something else that has less of a propensity to rub, while still conveying that same warming benefit.
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[Renn_aissance]

Well, I just bought the Rhino Plus Vari-Layer heavy… I realized today that my heavy Wug is actually 370gm of fill, not 400, so the 450 will give him almost 100gm more and I’m hopeful that will make a difference. The Vari-Layer line also advertises that the fill is less subject to compression, so we’ll see how this goes.

I would like to issue my horse a public apology for getting him a “berry”-colored rug. Burgundy and cherry bay do not mix.

I’m casually looking at the Back on Track sheets, because, as my sister likes to tell me, I “have a problem with blankets.” Hoping to find one used. Do they run true to size? My horse wears a 78" in everything but Horseware.

[CHT]

I am not a fan of liners (as both BO and Horse owner). I do recommend them to clients as an affordable way to have a back up (a 200g liner can make a lighter blanket cover for a ripped heavier blanket), for extreme cold snaps, and I also don’t mind them for hauling in winter, but I find them more work in general

I do not like them because they take longer to put on and can be more staticky than just a single blanket (we typically have dry cold which might be also why we see more static).

I have not had an issue with them holding moisture if the horse lays in snow, nor have I had issues with the lack of surcingle.

[Simkie]

Since you’re deep in the horsewear system, maybe their ionic sheet is a better choice over BoT?

Check out the great price on this eBay seller!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F201830921024

(I have no relation/interest in that seller, but might need to add one to my pile! :lol:)

[Laurierace]

@Simkie

I’ve never used or had hands on a rhino or amigo heavy. I’ve used the rambo supreme heavy weights for…geez, maybe getting up to 15 years now. I know through quite a lot of cold weather experience that the supremes perform very well, not only in warmth but in breathability and durability.

The other horsewear brands may perform the same, I have no idea. 🤷 Rhinos regularly seem to get reviews that they’re cut with a shorter drop, though. My one laughably brief foray into amigo was with fly sheets, and it was…unimpressive :lol:

@Laurierace kept a back on track on her horse full time through the winter, iirc, so she might have some input on the rubbing. Other brands offer similar “warming” fabric, so you may be able to find something else that has less of a propensity to rub, while still conveying that same warming benefit.
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Mark lived in his for years and he did get rubs from his BOT mesh sheet but it was worth it. Juliet is wearing one under her blanket now and so far doesn’t have rubs so I guess It just depends.

[Renn_aissance]

@Simkie

Since you’re deep in the horsewear system, maybe their ionic sheet is a better choice over BoT?

I had never heard of it so I just went to look it up. Have you ever used them? I’m trying to decide if I want to call shenanigans on the whole negative ion thing.

@Laurierace what made you start using the BOT as layers? What were you responding to in your horse?

[Laurierace]

Mark was a creaky old man with a bad back who never moved better than he did when he could wear his BOT 24/7. I bought him a BOT turnout as soon as it became available in the US but unfortunately he died before he got to wear it more than a few times so I don’t know for sure if it would have taken care of the rubbing but assume it would have.

My mare is wearing the sheet now because she had a trainer over collect her and she was very sore in her croup area. She has been wearing it for a little over a week and is no longer sore at all. I had the chiro come work on her twice in the past week so it obviously wasn’t just the sheet but it helps.

[Simkie]

@Renn/aissance

I had never heard of it so I just went to look it up. Have you ever used them? I’m trying to decide if I want to call shenanigans on the whole negative ion thing.

I have not used BoT or the Rambo version on a horse. I wear some BoT myself and maybe it helps?

But none of it is going to hurt, and while the research is a little fluffy, it does seem to be pretty clear to make you warmer. So might be worth a go?

[CanteringCarrot]

Ok, so now I am interested in this weight thing. I don’t think that my 100g Rambo blanket with a 100g liner is substantially more heavy in comparison to my 200g Rambo blanket (sans liner). Both equal 200g’s…and feel similar weight wise.

I like the liners but I do my own blanketing. I haven’t been at a barn that will change blankets in years. Mine offers if needed, but not a regular service.

I have used a liner under a Wug and older Rambo in a pinch- only attached at the rear snaps and it has stayed in place no problem.

I also picked up a Premier Equine blanket and liner recently, but haven’t used the liner much yet. But it has this nice wither relief padded area.