A *different* blanket thread...What did you buy & how is it holding up?

[seabreeze]

There are so many blanket threads this time of year (at least a few of which can be attributed to me), and I always wonder what people decided to buy and how they are holding up.

So, what blankets/sheets/coolers did you buy new this year? What have been your likes/dislikes? How have they held up? I'll start!

I bought a medium-weight and two lightweight Rider's International Stretch Turnouts.

LIKES: The fit is fabulous! They don't move around or bind. They fit my huge, shark-finned withered horse well without making him sore. The hardware is pretty strong, too. Also, my horses seem to be quite warm in them.

DISLIKES: The two lightweights/sheets haven't held up well at all. A little tree branch snagged a good size hole in the rump of one. The stitching around the binding and liner in the chest area started unravelling in both blankets within 3 wearings on both sheets. Also, the chest straps actually pulled away from the blanket on one of them, too. They simply are not durable. The medium weight has held up fine. Go figure.

[Simkie]

This year, I bought a Rambo Wug sheet, a Rambo Supreme heavyweight and a Rambo newmarket fleece dress sheet.

Likes: Rambo! Both blankets are durable, fit well and don't shift. No rubs at all. The fleece sheet is absolutely lovely and very heavy weight.

Dislikes: The belly straps on both blankets are long, but the straps on the wug sheet are ridiculous.

[2DogsFarm]

I bought these:

http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=91232&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D198%26Tree%3D%2CComplet e%20Catalog&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D122%26Tree%3D0%2CEquine&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D72%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tre e%3D1%2CBlankets%2C%20Hoods%20%26%20Sheets&3=product%5Ffamily%2Easp%2Cfamily%5Fid%3D1466%26Tr ee%3D2%2CBlankets%20and%20Blankets%20with%20Hoods&HSLB=False&mscssid=9FC866BCA91D4E349D6559A7F951DE4E

Because the price was right and the specs sounded good.

So far I am not totally happy because the sizing was odd - I had to order a 78 for the 76-all-his-life-sized horse & an 81 for the s/b 80 guy.
They appear decently made but after a week of wear I am not completely satisifed with the fit as they slip a bit on both horses.
They were staying in place better by the end of the week so I'm not that put out. If nothing else they give me a cheap alternative while their other blankets go in the wash.

[BeastieSlave]

This year I bought:
Rhino medium weight turnout with leg arches and neck cover
Baker turnout sheet

I like them both! I have (almost a million ;)) Rhino's, but most are at least a few years old. The Baker turnout is a new venture and it's tough and fits the almost 2 y.o. very well.

The velcro did come off the Rhino's neck cover and it's been resewn twice so far. Horseware said I can send it back for them to fix or I can send them the bill for what I had to pay to get it fixed here....
The Baker is great, but the binding makes the edges pucker a bit. I love that I can complain about that - because it's the only little thing....

[Hunter Mom]

My girl lives in her Weatherbeeta Orican midweight, 24-7.

Likes: this thing wears like iron. It is on winter #3, she lives outdoors and it is still in great shape. Totally waterproof - even in downpours. Stays put well even when she rolls (which is daily).

Dislikes: it is starting to fade a little, but after 3 years, I can't be surprised. I did have to replace the elastic that holds the buckle onto the blanket, but that is IT.

[fleur de duc]

I bought the cheap MED and HEAV turnouts from sstack.com .. I cannot be happier with them. They held up GREAT, granted my boys are turned out together and hardly ever fight. The waterproofing held up great despite several washes. I prefer the fit of these to any I have found for my pony. and the price .. well it cant get much better than that!

DISLIKES: the hoods ... they suck

[JumpWithPanache]

My girl has two Weatherbeetas:

LW Turnout is a Taka. It's on winter #2 and you can barely tell it's used. She and some of her former herdmates could get up some rather rough games of tag and hers never was torn or even snagged. I love the leg arches and the seams keep the blanket well fitted. Have not had any problems with the blanket shifting while rolling or sleeping. Unfortunately she's an odd shape so she tends to get chest rubs, and bib (or as we like to call it, her bra) seems to prevent those rubs quite well. Also waterproof as all get out, she never got wet in snow or rain.

MW Turnout is the Orican high neck, on winter #1. Nice fluffy blanket, high neck adds some extra warmth. She's not been turned out with a herd since she got this blanket, but stall and turnout has not resulted in any snags. It does tend to slip back on her, but that may be because of her shape.

[mybelle]

I bought the weirdest light, light sheet that goes over the head (let me tell you, my horse loves that...) from SStack. It doesn't even appear to be waterproof (I bought it online without doing my research - live and learn). I'm not sure what the purpose of it is. So I never use it.

Does anyone have any ideas what makes a sheet like this useful? I mean, if I can leave him unblanketed (ie: warm enough and not raining) I prefer to.

[jn4jenny]

I bought the Schneider's Euro Extreme 1680D medium weight turnout from sstack.com and couldnt' be happier with it. It's holding up better than my Triple Crowns did; my horse is very hard on his clothing and still managed to rip it, but it was a VERY small rip (compared to our usual mode of operation, which is a rip almost every week). The fit is excellent on my TB and the color is much richer and darker burgundy than the catalog picture, which made it look godawful.

[appychik]

Well, so far I bought Gringo a new light/midweight turnout (170g fill) from Heritage. Got the Masta Tek-Check blanket. Very nice blanket and I love the fit. Quite a bit roomier then his fitted New Britton turnouts from Schneiders (which I also love). We'll see how this blanket holds up. So far so good, but he's only worn it for 3-4 days.

Gus didn't get any new blankets (not that he was needing any anyways) but his second hand Dover Northwind (going on at least season #3) and the Shires combo (also season #3) are doing wonderfully. No other issues with those blankets whatsoever, though I do need to rewaterproof everything this spring, I think. :yes:

[LessonLearned]

My horse now has the complete line of Rambo Wugs (the weird weather of South Carolina has necessitated a light, medium, and heavy -- sigh). I love them. They are easy on and off, completely waterproof, and stand up to wear and tear well.

If they would just find a way to wash themselves, I would be a happy girl! :winkgrin:

[Huntertwo]

I bought 2 Dover "Hugs". A lightweight and a heavyweight. Love them both due to the fact that she can eat hay and the elastic *bib* is non-restricting. Stays in place too. Reasonably priced.

No cons to it.

[Brio]

I bought the weirdest light, light sheet that goes over the head (let me tell you, my horse loves that...) from SStack. It doesn't even appear to be waterproof (I bought it online without doing my research - live and learn). I'm not sure what the purpose of it is. So I never use it.

Does anyone have any ideas what makes a sheet like this useful? I mean, if I can leave him unblanketed (ie: warm enough and not raining) I prefer to.

Its probably for a show day. Most western riders bathe and then throw on a light weight sheet for the night before a show to keep them clean. We use these sheets - http://www.sstack.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2052&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=91&iSubCat=95&iProductID=2052

[mp]

I got one of Schneider's house brand stable blankets 11 years ago. It's been used and abused by three different horses and it's still going strong. I had one little tear in repaired this year. So I guess it's good for another decade or so. :)

I'm glad to see Schneider's getting positive reviews on more recent models because my gelding has outgrown old faithful.

[2boys]

I just love my Rambos.

[redears]

My horses live in their Pessoa Alpine's 24/7

Likes- The hardware is awesome, T hooks actually stay fastened without the little rubber things and have a piece fabric over them so they aren't exposed to other horses. Pretty colors (yes, I'm vain!). Detachable tail-flap, better for my gelding's friends to take it off rather than rip it off.

Dislikes- Spendy

[stryder]

I'm into my second winter with my Northwinds sheets from Dover, and they still look brand new. She pretty much lives in them 24/7 and they're still waterproof. Hardware and straps in great shape. No noticeable rubs, either.

[DairyQueen2049]

Amigo Rain Sheets - bought one 4 years ago - still going strong. Bought one 2 yrs ago and its taken the worst and is still in service too.

2 thumbs up!!!!

[sublimequine]

Let's see.. I've only bought 2 new blankets this year, but I'll give reviews on all I've got/had. :)

Kodiak MW Turnout Blanket: This is the first blanket I ever bought for my mare, about 3 years ago. It's only seen light use, but I do like it. I HATE Horseloverz/Equiteric so probably won't be buying anymore though, which is a shame. But it's had minimal rips/tears, fits my mare fairly well, and has stayed pretty waterproof (although I re-spray all my stuff every year).

"Safaree" Turnout Sheet: This was an eBay purchase, never heard of that brand. It was like $40 with shipping. Held up fairly well, but is sized really large. It's an 81 and is bigger than my 82s. It has a nice long drop though.

Schneider's Aquanon TO Sheet: This is their least expensive TO sheet. And it shows. This POS lasted one winter, barely. It was SHREDDED. Ick ick ick. :lol: It's the same denier as the "Safaree", and lasted 1/2 as long.

Derby Originals HW TO Blanket: From tackwholesale.com. I love this blanket! $80 for a HW blanket, and it's held up very well. It's very warm at 300g, and fits my broad mare really really well. I'd definitely buy this brand again. This is one of my fav blankets.

Weaver Leather MW TO Blanket: THIS is my favorite blanket of all time. Fits my mare LIKE A GLOVE, was reasonably priced, is warm, and fairly durable. It's got a little tear that I've patched, but the hardware is EXCELLENT quality and I just love love love it. Weaver products are THE BEST.

Weatherbeeta Saxon TO Sheet: Pretty nice, but kinda short, not a long drop. Fits my mare okay, not nylon lined which is bleh, but for the price (reasonable) it's nice. The hardware on it is crappy though, and I think I'll be replacing the hardware after only one season.

[Sandy M]

I bought a size 84 big D for my old eventer horse.... and I still have it. I bought it somewhere around his 11th or 12th birthday, I believe. So that would be about 9 or 10 years until I gave him to a friend at age 21. I then used it on my next horse (cut down to a 78) for 17 years, and how my youngster is wearing it (owned for 2.5 years). So that blanket is now around 28-30 years old and still going strong. It's faded and has a couple of small patches, but otherwise 100 percent useable. I don't know if Big D still makes that quality of a product, but that one blanket has had incredible longevity!

[bort84]

Good thread! I bought a Pessoa (Alpine I think?) medium weight turnout for my appy that is built a lot like a mini warmblood, haha. I live in Texas, so it's not very cold and he hasn't had to use it all that consistently. The fit is a little strange, but doesn't seem to really bother my horse (just isn't all that pleasing to the eye). It hasn't rubbed any bald spots, but there is a sliiiiight wear spot on one of his shoulders (definitely tolerable and probably only noticeable to me). He's a very compact horse, so the seamless back looks pretty ridiculous on him, but it doesn't seem to bother him. I like the thought put into the blanket: double enforced belly closures (elastic first layer where the hooks connect, but backed up by tough nylon in case the elastic were to give), a snap open front that it also adjustable with buckles, a removable tail guard with the toughest velcro I've ever met (pretty much impossible to remove, haha), and very nicely placed leg straps (not poop collectors...). It also stays put.

It comes with a year guarantee, and I'm definitely going to have to use it. No really big tears at this point, but there are a lot of nasty snag spots and the piping is all torn up by the tail cover. He's already broken one snap and ripped a dee ring from the front closure... I really expected a lot from this blanket and am not sure I would buy one again. It seems to be very waterproof though, which is good, I just thought it would hold up a bit better especially considering its minimal wear through the Houston winter. My guy is fairly easy on his blankets too.

Anyway, for the price (about $145), I expected a B+ to A- blanket at least; this is more of a B- in my opinion. So, not bad, just not great.

[horse-loverz]

I bought the Weatherbeeta Tristar blanket (the poor man's duo:lol: ) I love the fit, love the flexibility of the liners love that it is 1680 D (the Rambo's are only 1000D) He loves the hood :lol: He likes to snake his ears in there to keep them warm :lol: I have been very very pleased with this blanket. It fits him better than my Schneiders blankets did. (but the Schneiders blankets did hold up very well)

[bort84]

I bought the weirdest light, light sheet that goes over the head (let me tell you, my horse loves that...) from SStack. It doesn't even appear to be waterproof (I bought it online without doing my research - live and learn). I'm not sure what the purpose of it is. So I never use it.

Does anyone have any ideas what makes a sheet like this useful? I mean, if I can leave him unblanketed (ie: warm enough and not raining) I prefer to.

Is it one of those shiny nylon ones? A lot of these I think are generally more for indoor horses not on turnout. Or for a horse that might go out occaisionally but only in nice weather. Growing up riding saddleseat, we always had lots of non weatherproof stable blankets. Keeps them clean and fly free in the milder weather.

[onelanerode]

For my still-growing 4-year-old Appendix mare, I bought the following, all on sale/discounted, all new:

A Dover Northwind turnout sheet—1680 denier, no fill. I really like this sheet. It seemed to run true to size and was well made. It's also got reflective piping around the edge, which is great for finding pony in the dark. I love the ring/snap closures at the front as well. I do wish the tail flap was a little longer though. It's held up very well.

A Weatherbeeta Orican sheet—1200 denier, no fill, high neck. This sheet is OK. I like the high neck for keeping water out, but it tended to scrunch down some. This sheet really runs big. Mare measured a 75, but even the 72 is on the big side. The shoulder gussets don't seem to be placed correctly for her conformation/movement. It's held up nicely though, and the light blue color again helps with finding the dark bay mare at night. I suspect this sheet is largely responsible for the rubs she has on her shoulders, so I'm trying to limit use of it for now. I'm looking into a Bossy's Bib for next year.

A Centaur lightweight mid-neck turnout blanket—1200 denier with 140 grams of fill, this was a nice "in between" blanket. It also seemed to run true to size, but I didn't like that it came in all black with black/orange binding. Not very visible. The mid-neck also seemed to scrunch downward. The belly straps were ridiculously long, and I ended up having to tie knots in them to make them short enough to be safe. It's also held up nicely.

A Rambo mediumweight, original cut turnout rug—200 grams fill. I just got this a week ago since it was half off. Mare measured a perfect 75 but it's just a tad bit big on her. I'm not sure about the lack of leg straps, but the rug doesn't seem to be shifting. She's hardly gotten it dirty, but tomorrow it's supposed to do some combo of freezing rain/sleet/snow showers, so I imagine it'll get tested out thoroughly. As a complete vanity request, I would so have loved to have had this rug in purple or green. :lol:

I may sell the Orican sheet and get her something else that fits better.

[KPF]

I bought an Amigo T/O sheet for my new old guy and LOVE it... great price and it seems to be really waterproof and holding up well. I'll be buying Amigos in the future, for sure.

I also bought him a WB Taka med weight T/O... haven't had to use it a whole lot but I'm happy with it so far... other than the fact that the surcingles are hard to fasten. They aren't like the normal ones, they have a curve to the metal and you have to get the angle just right or they won't snap in. PIA when you have frozen fingers! :D

I bought my pony a Masta T/O sheet last year and I really like that one too. Both she and my other old guy have WB T/O's that are a few years old and going strong.

My best buy this year was a used Rambo stable blanket I bought for $20... what a great blanket. I use it all the time and it fits both of my boys. Now I just need to find another! :)

[LearnToFly]

I bought a heavy duty waterproof turnout last winter on eBay, new, for about $20. It doesn't have a brand name on it, but I'll try to figure out what it is. It's gotten my OTTB through 2 winters with only one small tear, and he goes out with 5 other horses and is VERY playful.

Okay, found one: It was this (http://cgi.ebay.com/64-BLACK-Waterproof-Winter-Horse-BLANKET-Turnout_W0QQitemZ190281100853QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item190281100853&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ebaypho tohosting)

[SquishTheBunny]

AMIGO: Lightweight Turnout
- love it. Cheap ($50), goes on the "play nice" horse and holding up VERY well.

RHINO: Lightweight Wug
- love it. Expensive ($175) goes on the "I play hard" horse, held up pretty well, a few tiny bite marks but no holes. Love the wug style. Seems to be warmer than the amigo lightweight.

RAMBO:
I have 2 Rambo Supremes...velcro for hood came off the medium weight, otherwise going strong after 4 years. Heavyweight is in great condition after 4 years.
Just purchased a duo, and I have to say I really like that also. Use it as a heavy weight, and will put the shell on the "I play hard" horse when it warms up.

BUCAS:
Had a turnout, semi-impressed. Not quite as good as the rambos, but still good quality. Fit wasnt stellar, but not bad. But quite pricey. Blanket rubs :( Not a proper fit for MY horses.
Indoor blanket is very nice, thick and warm but not heavy. Did give blanket rubs though.

MASTA:
Probably the best you can buy for the price. Fit is VERY generous and typically fits warmbloods or draft x's well, but have one for my TB and its indescructable. We have several at the barn that are on year 8!! Only complaint is that I bought a medium weight, and it feels more like a heavyweight.

[amastrike]

Schneider's Euro Extreme Turnout Sheet.. not happy at all. I've had it for maybe 5 months, and it's only been in use about half the time... the reinforcement patch over one of the shoulder darts is gone, and the top of the dart is open. I can't send it back, because my other turnout (a Euro Extreme midweight) has been sent back to Schneider's for repair, for the same problem! My horse is NOT hard on his clothes, so I find it extremely unlikely that it's something he's done to it. And the midweight had been in use for nearly two years before I ever had a problem with it... seems like the quality is going downhill. I won't be buying from them again.

[mypaintwattie]

Since I bought my horse in the middle of last winter, she made it though with a Triple Crown Cotton Sheet and no body clip. This year I decided to give her a full body clip, so I was *forced* to buy all new blankets! I got:

Rambo QH Turnout (medium fill): Love the way it fits, it has held up really well even being used daily. Don't like the tail cord with a mare, so I took it off. The neck cover is nice but has rubbed out a little bit of mane.

Amigo Turnout Sheet (no fill): Same as the Rambo, fits wonderfully, like everything except for the tail cord, which is not removable and has gotten pretty messy.

Amigo Cotton Summer Sheet: Nice but doesn't fit as well as the Turnouts.

Kensington Protective Sheet: Super durable but the neck opening is big for the size and slides down around her withers.