For those familiar with Amigo and Rhino blankets: a couple of ?'s...

[seabreeze]

Question #1:

Do the Amigo blankets fit the same as the Rhino blankets?

Question #2:

Aside from the fit issue from Q#1, what are the differences between the medium weight Amigos and the medium weight Rhinos (regular turnout blankets...I know the Amigos come in 600D and 1200D whereas the Rhinos are 1000D)? Straps, surcingles, quality of fill, etc.

I just can't seem to find blankets that work and last, but I've never tried these blankets before. I'm ready to give them a try, but just wandering which brand to order. There are no tack stores within a reasonable distance where I can see them in person.

Thanks so much for your help!

[seabreeze]

Anyone???

[dwblover]

I have never had an Amigo so can't help compare them, but the Rhinos are the best blanket around. I love them. They are 1000 D, but it is a super tough Polypropolene shell, not nylon like other blankets, so the deniers are two different things when you talk about the 1200 vs 1000. I have never had a Rhino rip even after years of use, even with my gelding who is known for blanket ripping. I also love the Wug closures that the Rhinos come in. They do not budge. They only have belly straps, no leg straps because you don't need them. It's amazing how they stay in one place so well.

[LMH]

NO they do NOT fit the same. Rhino has a MUCH fuller cut.

I have Amigos, Rhinos and Rambos and for money and durability I like Rhino.

[WorthTheWait95]

Rhino and Rambo are the way to go. They wear like iron and fit wonderfully. I have a couple of Rambo's (heavy weight and medium weight) that are going on 8 years old. Except for having to restitch a strap that a horse stepped on three years ago I haven't had to do any repairs and they get used HARD plus I usually wash them several times every winter.

[Im Natives Last]

I have 2 Ramdos, in thier 13th season. This year, they have lost thier waterproofing, but I love them. I have never rewaterproofed them before. I bought 2 Amigos for 2 rescues, and love them, too. I have 1 Rhino, and it slips up on the horses back. Her Amigo does not do this, and she is 25 years old, and is not terribly active. I vote Rambo first, them Amigo, then Rhino.

[horsepoor]

I actually think that the Amigo and Rhino blankets fit pretty much the same. I have a 75" Amigo and 75" Rhino that I just bought for one horse, and to me, they look like they are cut off the same pattern. Those are the regular cut, not the wug.
My experience with the Amigos (the 1200 denier ones) is that the outside wears well, but the liner tears. It just seems to disintegrate where it is stitched -- pulls apart. The Rhino so far has held up better.
I also have a Rhino wug for that same horse and had to go up a size (78) for him. I don't like the fit at all. He's broad in the shoulder and I think the Wugs are better for more slender, TB built horses.
I went cheap on this horse as he is still growing, but my other ones have Rambos and the quality is a lot better on those -- esp the older ones that I still have from the days when they were made in Ireland.

[NCSaddleFitter]

I have always been a huge cheerleader for Horseware products. I have several of the older Rhinos that are at least 8 years old and have worn like iron.

Two years ago I bought one of the newer Rhinos with the plaid fabric and now it is lying in a landfill somewhere. It absolutely disintigrated during its second season. I've met two other people who have had the same thing happen. Before it completely committed hari kari, I had to have several repairs done on stitching, lining, etc. My horses are not that hard on their clothing!

This year I bit the bullet and bought a Rambo Supreme Lite and Rambo Wug Lite. So far the fabric is holding up well, but there are several points where the stitching is already unravelling. I really expect more for blankets that retail for over $300.

My neighbor has Amigo sheets and they are holding up well.

My recommendation would be to stay away from that plaid fabric in the Rhinos. I don't know if it just deteriorates in the sun or what, but it doesn't hold up at all.

The Rambos are still made with great fabrics, but Horseware has really cheaped out on the assembly. I'm looking into alternative brands for the future...

[lauriep]

I am using Amigos (1200 denier) on several babies and so far, I am delighted with them. My oldest ones are now 2 years old, and in great shape. The babies tug on them and they seem able to take it. Waterproofing was still ok on the second season. I like the fact that I can get a neck cover for them. Because they grow so fast, I am sticking with the Amigos for now, but may upgrade to Rhinos for the full grown horses. Also, Amigos come in all of the pony sizes, from 48" up. A solid vote for the Amigo line.

[ptownevt]

My pony has a Wug. This is the second winter and it isn't wearing well. By the end of the first winter the lining was ripping in multiple places and there were a couple of small tears on the outside. For the money, I would never buy another one. I have a couple of old Saxons that are still going strong after 5 years. Much less money, but significantly better at holding up. Go figure. I guess cost really doesn't determine quality.

[Pookah]

I also think that Rambo, Rhino, and Amigos all fit the same. And I love them all, I really think that they are the most fabulous brand available. I have two Rambos that are over 15 years old and still in regular use! I always say that they are really the cheapest blankets out there, when you look at it that way. That said, you get what you pay for. My horses are currently wearing Amigos and Rambos. I love both, but the Amigos definitely do not last as long, or stay waterproof as long. The Amigo and Rhino are billed as the same weight, but I personally think that the Amigo is a bit lighter weight. However, I've noticed that my horses seem to be comfortable in it at a surprisingly wide range of temperatures.

[SquishTheBunny]

I have all 3 (Rambo, Rhino and Amigo)

The amigo goes on the horse who "Plays nice", The Rhino and Rambo go onthe horse who goes out with horses who dont play so nice!

As far as fit- the NEW ones all seem to fit the same. If you are looking for a used rhino/rambo (> 5 years), they do fit a little bigger.

For the price ($60) I got a 600D Amigo shell, held up so far 1 season. The Rhino was a lot pricier, but it does feel a lot more durable.

I would get an Amigo if $$ is tight and you dont have a group who are known blanket destroyers. They are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and have a nice fit.

[joiedevie99]

I had a year old Amigo sheet that fits bigger than a brand new chestnut plaid Rhino Wug. The 78 sheet fits perfectly, but I wish I had gone up to the 81 wug.

[seabreeze]

Thanks for all of your replies.:)

It's getting late in the season, and the blanket selections are dwindling. Due to availability (and a good sale), I ended up buying the Rhino original medium weights and the Riders International Supreme turnout sheets. We'll see how they hold up. I'm a bit nervous that some of you have had problems with the lining holding up on the Horseware products, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again!

[horsepoor]

I just noticed yesterday that my one-week-old Rhino has little snags and holes all over it (yes, it is the plaid...). I think it is due to my horse's neighbor biting it, so I'm disappointed in how that has worn. I think I will bring it home for my other horse to wear and this one will get a tougher Rambo.