| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| connormum |
Posted - 28 Aug 2014 : 10:52:22 PM
Not been on here for a while, but wondered if you great people have any suggestions? Freddie doesn't mind being hot or cold, but rain .... the other night he was rugless to be found shivering due to continuous rain, so when the next lot of rain was due he had a sheet on, shivering again, though it hadn't leaked and his back was dry, but now he is calmer when his field mate is out competing he just stands behind the shelter, so not moving or eating to keep warm, so guess all his energy went on heating up the rug to keep dry, sigh. Been looking at the Bucas rugs (white ones so forgiving if you get it wrong) they have a lining, has anyone got any experience as they aren't cheap (going to get the rain shower one for next summer, but was looking at the ones with a lining). My field sharer does the mornings and I do nights so we can get it wrong sometimes, the two horses have totally different rugging needs! Thanks in advance :) |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| debs |
Posted - 31 Aug 2014 : 2:20:12 PM
Just been on one for me instead!!! New boots :) |
| glo |
Posted - 31 Aug 2014 : 08:26:13 AM
All this talk about rugs, I think a shopping trip is in order, any one up for it! |
| Callisto |
Posted - 31 Aug 2014 : 12:23:15 AM
I also bought Lily a Schockemoler (sp?) lightweight rug which is really nice since it is fleece lined, I haven't used it much because I bought it to keep in the truck for when we corral away overnight, but it has kept her dry and cosy when I have needed to use it - might be well worth considering, it's a nice quality rug, and it came with leg straps |
| Ari |
Posted - 30 Aug 2014 : 2:11:18 PM
Glad it's not only me worrying about rugs without leg straps, I have only seen rugs come clean off a few times in many years but I have seen the fillet string fail and rugs flapping in strong winds. Very dangerous for a horse that may panic. Having said that I agree leg straps aren't without risk.
I like the weatherbeeta freestyle lwt, it's no fill but good cotton lining, very substantial outer shell and the big plus for my horse is the channelled wither padding that prevents downward pressure. Leg straps have 9inch of elastic where they are fixed to the rug so comfy for rolling or lying down even when fit for maximum safety.
It kept unclipped Ari snug and dry out all day every day for most of last mild very wet winter and very useful for cold wet autumn weather when still out 24/7.
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| sab2 |
Posted - 30 Aug 2014 : 11:07:28 AM
Faracat my rugs have blown over their heads as well, we are high up in north east pennines so i go for leg straps now. My PE rubbed my arab mare in 3 different places chest, side and bum so haven,t bought another one, i like the older Fals and just sew leg straps into them . |
| Faracat |
Posted - 30 Aug 2014 : 09:34:30 AM
For years I never had a rug blow off a horse, then I moved the horses to grazing on a windy hillside (and they like to stand at the top in an unsheltered spot  ). Cue rugs being blown off. So now I compromise and use my Horseware rugs most of the time, but in high winds they all have rugs with leg straps on.
I tried a Premier equine rug once and the cut was wrong (ie the neckline was cut too big and it was far too deep) for my mare, but I know that people with chunkier horses like the cut. It also leaked from new, so a friend of mine with a piebald cob ended up using it as a stable sheet (it was a LW rug). |
| Callisto |
Posted - 30 Aug 2014 : 12:17:32 AM
Another vote for PE, never had a problem with lack of leg straps, and in fact we remove them from rugs that have them, and substitute a fillet string. I can also recommend the FAL 40 gram fill waterproof - fits well, doesn't rub and not too warm if the sun comes out, but extra fill essential for my wind and rain hating thin skinned pony. Was also very disappointed with the Bucas Sunshower rug. |
| connormum |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 10:26:59 PM
Maybe I'm just being over cautious Debs seriously thinking on their 40 or 70g ones, our field is very exposed and he does love a hoon! Have tried a fleece with the sheet, but it pulls back and rubs, maybe a light stable rug instead? Was just looking for a light slight fill rug and liked the Bucas as they were white so would reflect the sun if we got the weather wrong, but tbh he isn't fussed with temperatures, just rain! |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 10:22:29 PM
I can assure you they dont blow over their heads. My horse lives in a very wet and windy area, quite high up. Its often gale force here in winter. I find the lighter denier ones are rubbish in the wind so I opted for the 1000d and havent had any problems with it. I prefer fillet strings to leg straps. There is also a small loop you pull their tails through on the under side of the tail flap, so that helps too. |
| debs |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 10:11:05 PM
None of my outdoor rugs have leg straps, apart from one. Much prefer without! Ali tail is always up when he is playing, never had a problem |
| connormum |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 10:08:49 PM
Thanks for the feedback, will investigate your suggestions. I love the look of the PE rugs and friends swear by them. I just don't like the fact (my personal opinion) that they don't come with leg straps. I can just envisage a hoon with tale flagged and a following wind and the rug goes over his head, I've contacted them and they say they now have a heavy duty fillet string 'an elasticated, plastic covered tail strap, which is heavier than a fillet string or thin tail strap', but not convinced, lovely quality rugs from what I've seen though. Thanks for the feedback :)
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| Vik1 |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 9:55:49 PM
Im a Premiere Equine covert. My boy now has 2x 200gms (one as a spare but not needed it yet). I plan to get him a one with no fill or 40gm that way I can put the liner in it if needed for spring/autumn.
Ive also got their stay dry fly rug...top half is a turnout. Its been great this year. Other horses had a Swift version of the stay dry fly rug and been too hot, or its slid to one side.
PE rugs seem to be great for controlling temperature. Ive also found the neck covers dont rub his mane either. |
| FireLight |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 1:45:02 PM
Agree with Faracat the sunshower rug from Bucas is terrible and is the strangest fitting rug I have ever had. It was so small at the front it was like a straight jacket. Premier Equine with the 40g fill is lovely. |
| glo |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 08:26:03 AM
I never just use a thin sheet, even in the summer! As even a little rain will make the horse cold, best to use a thin rug with some fill in you can get some with 50g or 100g . You may need a little more this time of the year. |
| Faracat |
Posted - 29 Aug 2014 : 12:20:57 AM
RE Bucas rugs, the Smartex Rain is fabulous and has a thin fleece 'stay dry' lining and I find them very useful, but would be too warm on a sunny but showery day. The Sunshower is a terrible rug. I'll never buy another of that model. Such a shame as Bucas rugs are normally very good. |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 28 Aug 2014 : 11:55:33 PM
I have a waterproof fly rug just the top section of body and neck are waterproof, its a gallop one but quite a few different makes about now and are not too expensive, failing that Amigo and shires do a 50g turnout so its very lightweight with minimum fill so might just be enough for chilly summer nights, have no experience of the bucas rugs sorry! I have a really old turnout that has a thin fleece lining and its perfect for summer nights if wet its a horse ware Ireland one and it never leaks but never seen one like it anywhere. |
