Turnout Blankets - value for $$; different Horseware Ireland options

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=quietann;8958697]
I have to say, after trying many other blankets, the mare is now exclusively a Rambo Supreme girl.

DH just convinced me that it was better to get a Rambo Supreme light turnout, rather than buying several less expensive ones that will each last 2 years at most.

They are definitely built for bigger, stouter horses than my petite but long

I bought a few Rambo Supremes last year during a big sale and have to say I love them. I wish I had bought more mediums…the heavies are so warm I don’t get as much use out of them as I’d like even with my horses out 24/7 in Indiana winters. They are terrific and don’t rub shoulders like the Wugs can.

[LilyandBaron]

I joke that a Horseware size 75 is like my little herd’s sisterhood of the traveling pants blanket - fits the TB, STB, and QHxAndy! I have other blankets that fit individual horses, but buy up Horseware 75s as they come up at good prices. I mainly have Amigos and no complaints over 3 years of hard use. But got excited and finally got a Rambo, on sale. And of course, on the third time my mare wore it, she ripped off one of the front buckles!!! Sheesh. Never harmed an Amigo, so that felt like a sign from the universe that if the Amigos are working, stop pining for Rambos!

[gumtree]

We have around 60 of the “Dover brand” generic? Need to look. When they were bought 5-10+ years ago cost around $60 ish. They have stood the test of time. Fit well enough. Not pleaded so on some horses get rub marks if warn for extended periods. By and large they fit very well. Generic green. Nothing fancy but good weight and water resistant.

Like most all blankets the leg straps have needed to be replaced from time to time. Some of have gotten torn up in group turn out. But that is to be expected.

We have some higher end, Rambo, etc. IMO they aren’t that much better to warrant the extra expense. But we aren’t buying the “odd” blanket. When buying in bulk the extra $30+ adds up quickly.

[pattnic]

For a horse who is hard on their blankets, Rambo, hands-down, assuming they fit the horse (the Horseware line does not fit my mare - who is typically hard to fit for blankets - but thankfully she is easy on blankets, and so wears Weatherbeetas). Rambo is the only thing my gelding hasn’t destroyed.

For a good balance of durability vs. price point, the Dover Northwind line is very good. My gelding still managed to ruin his, but much less so than other blankets I’d previously tried. They’re on sale for even better than usual prices at Dover right now for their “12 Days of Christmas” sale - I just picked up a sheet and a medium weight for about $260 (something like $115 for the sheet and $140 for the midweight), which is less than I paid for the destructive gelding’s one Rambo sheet (original with leg arches).

http://equestrian.doversaddlery.com/search?w=northwind&cart_count=0&cart_total=0.00&dmi_offer_code=SITE&idc=0&ids=4ttczpvrhyv1umnhhwennh4q

I don’t believe the other Horseware lines (Rhino/Amigo) are worth the price - the Northwind is priced as well as, or better than, the Rhino and Amigo Bravo, for a lifetime guarantee against rips and tears and higher denier. Something about the checked/plaid pattern of the Rhinos seems to make them more prone to rips, from what I’ve seen.

[demidq]

I wonder why there is so much variability in the Schneiders blankets? I have various aged ones and they have all held up extremely well. I wash them at the laundromat and re-waterproof myself. After about 6 years the lining on one of my heavyweights needs patching but the outside is fine. I feel they are good value and good quality. I only go with the 1200 denier blankets, tho.