Update ... WUG doesn't fit!!! Rambo WUG experts! Question about which one ...

[Oldenburg Mom]

Medium or Heavy weight.

OK, I live outside of Culpeper VA. I'm not sure what agricultural zone that is, but think mid- to northern VA. 70 miles or so from DC.

Mr. Joey will be clipped ... not whole body (although any suggestions about which clip would be best would be appreciated!) but probably a trace ... or maybe hunter???

He will be clipped as he is going to be worked over the winter.

Anyway, which WUG do YOU have (and where are you) and which would you recommend.

Thanks everyone!!

[Mali]

I have a gelding that lives out 24/7 with just a run-in shed. He's an appy/tb that NORMALLY grows a light winter coat (except this year, he's really hairy). I very rarely use the heavyweight on him (maybe 6 nights per year), but he's usually in the medium weight Wug when it gets in the 20's. This year, I doubt he'll even see the heavyweight at all. He stays pretty toasty in the MW.

location: south-central PA

[Oldenburg Mom]

Hey, Mali. Thanks very much ... I was teetering on the brink of a heavy weight, as he's going to be clipped. But if you're up in PA, and you don't need a heavyweight, well, I sure don't

thank's for the advise. I've got a stable blanket I can use if it does get very cold. By the way, have you found it to be SUPER waterproof?

[Mali]

Yes - my Wug has lasted me several years. I bet it's at least 5 years old now, and I've yet to re-waterproof it! I've always laundered in warm water (with Eqyss Blanket Wash) and lined dry. I would highly recommend it, and mine looks almost brand new when I launder it. I only wash mine in the spring, when I pack them away for next season. I'm sure you'll be pleased as punch with your WUG!

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I'd go with the MW. Here in MA I have yet to put a heavyweight on my TB who grows a decent coat, not too thick though. Granted he's not clipped but still.

[trafalgar]

In Maryland and Va. some people who hunt do not even use TO blankets if the horses are only trace clipped.....I could not live with that myself but really there is no need in the mid Atlantic area for a heavy weight on a traceclipped horse unles the weather is highly highly unusual.

[talloaks]

I gave away all my heavy weights because I didn't use them--or it was a couple of days a season. All I have now are MW and LW--in Virginia. I do have stable blankets also if anyone needs extra warmth but none of mine are clipped.

[bambam]

If you are only getting 1, I would get the medium, especially if you can layer up on the few days where it gets really cold.
I am in the same general area and I will admit that I have a medium and a heavy Rambo wug for my mare but she not only gets clipped but she always loses weight in the winter and is usually out 24/7. She would likely be fine though if she only had the medium- I on the hand might not be ;) My fat/hairy gelding OTOH has gone whole winters without ever seeing his blanket.

[Hilary]

I have the heavyweight Wug for my hardkeeper guy. The thing is a monster! He only needed it on the coldest nights - as in single digits or blowing really hard. Otherwise he got hot. His other blanket was a heavy Dover Rider's and that was enough for the rest of the winter.

I'm in NH and it gets pretty nasty - unless he is super senstive to cold I would go with the medium.

[LauraKY]

What about the medium and the Horsewear liner? They come in weights from 100g. to 400g. I swear by them! And you can throw them in the wash and the dryer.

[Oldenburg Mom]

What about the medium and the Horsewear liner? They come in weights from 100g. to 400g. I swear by them! And you can throw them in the wash and the dryer.

I saw that ... and think it's a great idea.

Thanks everybody. I'm really glad I asked this question.

[TooManyChickens]

I'm not too far from you, just outside Richmond. What is stated above is exactly what I did.. I bought a medium weight Rambo Wug, (LOVE IT) and then bought the 200g Rambo Liner. I knew being in VA that I would use the Medium way more than a heavy, and on the bad nights I can just toss the liner underneath. Works perfectly. Got one of those elastic bands though to help keep it in place.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Hmmmm.

Have you people seen this: http://www.horseware.com/usa/turnouts/rambo/turnoutsduo.asp

Wouldn't it be the same as a Wug plus stable blanket?

[alteringwego]

so excited! My blankets were stolen last year and today I go pick up a Wug that I found on craigslist for $75! Only a year old! :-)

[TBrescue]

Hmmmm.

Have you people seen this: http://www.horseware.com/usa/turnouts/rambo/turnoutsduo.asp

Wouldn't it be the same as a Wug plus stable blanket?

it is only 100 g insulation, more like the california turnout.

I'm in the northeast, have lite, med and heavy and use all 3 on my TB.

[Mali]

it is only 100 g insulation, more like the california turnout.

I'm in the northeast, have lite, med and heavy and use all 3 on my TB.

It says in that item's description that it comes with a 300g liner. You can also buy other weight liners to go with it.

[cllane1]

We have mediums for all our guys, and they work great! We had them when we lived in Utah and they were plenty of blanket. Now they work well in the damp winters of Alabama. Our guys aren't clipped, but I think the medium will work best for you.

[yellowbritches]

So, here's my thinking. I have TONS of Rambos, Rhinos, and now Amigos in the barn. Some are heavys, some are mediums. My general feeling is that while the heavys aren't overkill for the Mid-Atlantic, they aren't really necessary, either. Save the few bucks and get the medium. You can always add a layer under it. :yes: Otherwise, you can't beat a Wug.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Well, go figure. Rambo doesn't fit ... no way, no how. The closest, if you can believe this, was the Rambo QUARTER HORSE!! But, the QH wasn't long enough.

I've tried about 10 different blankets ... the closest I've found is the new Pessoa, ... but even THAT is too tight in the front.

Believe it or not, ... the only thing that's fitting is a RIDER. You know, DOVER'S brand. How mortifying. I'm trying to spend a fortune on a blanket, and I can't.

[2horseowner]

I just posted a thread about a med turnout w/ deep sides. I had luck w/ the Rambo California, but don't want to spend a fortune. The Dover blankets are nice, but they aren't long enough to cover his rear. I need an 87. What's your next choice?

[horsepoor]

Well, go figure. Rambo doesn't fit ... no way, no how.

Did you only try the wug front blankets, or the regular cut as well? I've had horses in the past that the wug just wasn't big enough in the shoulder, but the reg cut fit them fine. And what about the Rambo XL? They are made for the wider horse, and come in big sizes.

I have had good luck with fitting Turtleneck blankets on horses that everything else was too narrow in the shoulder/neck. But I had to go to an 84 Turtleneck for my guy that is 81 in Rambo -- it is a little long on him, but gives him plenty of room in the neck/shoulder and I like how the elastic snugs it around him so it doesn't leak so bad.

I love/hate blanket shopping! Everytime I think I have everyone in my herd dressed appropriately, someone has to GROW, darn it!

[Goo]

I agree with horsepoor - I find that Rambo Wugs are often way too tight in the shoulder for warmbloods. I don't think they are a good choice for horses with wide shoulders - the only time my horse fit in his was when he was still narrow and growing. Once he actually developed shoulders, he was just bursting out of his Wugs. I would say that in terms of shoulder width, the Rambo Wugs are the tightest in the shoulder. The original cut is in-between. Then the XL is the most generous in the shoulder. I have a 17.2 1600lb Oldenburg, and the Rambo XLs are the only thing he can wear now (even the Schneider's VTek Marathon with the HUGE shoulder gussets no longer fit him without rubbing his shoulders :uhoh:). So now he has XLs in all 3 weights. Thanks to this blanket, he's able to remain rub-free all winter. I love being able to put it on, and then the next day I can stick my hand under the chest portion of the blanket and it's still nice and loose, with no pressure points anywhere - doesn't pull back at all.

I also noticed that Dover has a new "Fuller Fit" line. Might be useful as a 2nd/backup blanket. But for a primary blanket, especially on a horse who is outside, the waterproofing may not last. I haven't had much luck with the waterproofing on the Dover Supreme blankets lasting more than a year or so (both for myself and barnmates). Their Northwind line may be better, though.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Late to this topic, but IMO, a clipped horse in No VA will need a Heavyweight for the majority of the winter.

For years, my boarders had used a heavy weight on their clipped horses, and had to clip about every 4-6 weeks. When they added a med weight blanket under the hvy, their horse quit growing back their coats. That leads me to believe they were still cold with the single heavy.

If I have my choice, I like a med weight blanket, then a heavyweight to switch off, or add to the top, depending on temp.

[Oldenburg Mom]

What's your next choice?

Seriously? If this doesn't fit ... the Rider, I mean, I'm hooking up the trailer, throwing the horse ON the trailer and taking him to the store. :lol:

Think I'm kidding ... ??? :no:

[Stacie]

I have had good luck with fitting Turtleneck blankets on horses that everything else was too narrow in the shoulder/neck. But I had to go to an 84 Turtleneck for my guy that is 81 in Rambo -- it is a little long on him, but gives him plenty of room in the neck/shoulder and I like how the elastic snugs it around him so it doesn't leak so bad.
Did you try the Rambo XL with him? Was it also too narrow?
I can't decide whether to try the Rambo XL or see if one of the larger turtlenecks will work for my husbands Perch cross. She only needs a raincoat for the cold, rainy or icey days.

[horsepoor]

Did you try the Rambo XL with him? Was it also too narrow?


For him, the reg cut Rambo in 81 fits pretty well, so I never tried the XL on him. His problem is less the shoulder as it is the length from wither to chest (so the neck opening- if that makes sense?). The stretchiness of the T-neck worked well on that, but I did try T-necks in an 80 (no way),and an 82 (ok everywhere else, but a little too snug in the neck) before settling on the 84 (hangs a bit off his butt, but everything else fits well).

I have an 81 XL for another horse; I should try it on this one and give you a comparison. If I do, I'll report back!

[Stacie]

His problem is less the shoulder as it is the length from wither to chest (so the neck opening- if that makes sense?).
Yes I do :lol:
Hubbie's girl is very high headed and is very long through the base of the neck. She's silly big in the neck and then not nearly so long in the body.
Schneiders big fellas aren't big enough for her neck because she isn't all that long :eek:

[TheOrangeOne]

If I had to pick one blanket to have for my clipped-nekkid horse (in keswick) I would pick my heavy bucas. It breathes so well that I have put it on in medium weather and he's been comfortable. For a big shouldered horse, I would get their extender piece.

As for the clip, if you aren't showing, I'd try a blanket clip and then go with the medium weight bucas.

[coymackerel]

I got this one for a friend's new horse - she's half Tbred, half shire, 17.1 hands and is really big through the chest and shoulders.

http://www.fourwinds.net/blanket/jt322010.html

[Stelli&Staunton]

try a rambo xl or maybe a thermo master. I have a friend that breeds warmbloods and she used riders but the North Wind model and Thermo Masters (She is VERY particular) so i would try them. I like the wugs but you have to buy a size larger then what you normally would because of the cut. As far as weather or not to blanket its up to you, i would say if they are in at night only blanket if its raining unless it gets really cold but once you start you have to keep blanketing since it mats down the hair and their coat loses its insulation. There are some really good articles out there about blanketing so i would consult them as well. I blanket when it starts to get REALLY cold and i live in MD. I think blanketing is a personal choice i just don't agree with the people who blanket in 60 degree weather

[Goo]

Regarding the mention of the Bucas - unfortunately, almost every horse I have ever seen wearing a Bucas (7+ at this point) always seem to have really, really bad shoulder rubs to accompany it. The only horses with no rubs were a narrow 15hh TB wearing a several-sizes-too-big 84" Bucas, and a very short and round (built like a couch) little Haflinger pony currently at my barn. Although the pony has only been wearing hers for about a week or so.

I don't know what it is about the Bucas, but it doesn't seem to fit a lot of horses. :( I think that may be why they aren't more popular despite being around for almost as long as the Rambos. I also don't like the fuzzy lining - it picks up hair horribly during shedding season, and the hair becomes woven through/against the liner so much that it can't really be brushed out. Seems like that wouldn't be great for resale value.

[horsepoor]

I have a couple of Bucas blankets -- the power one (silver outside, red liner, square chest piece). They have been great blankets for my big, wide shouldered horse. In the past, I have used other Bucas blankets that rubbed the heck out of every horse as the necklines drooped and rubbed. But those silver versions have done great on my big horse. Mine are probably getting close to 10 years old and they are still waterproof and still in use.

[Goo]

Horsepoor - Ah, all the ones I saw were the blue with green trim ones, and not the silver ones that you describe. So that may explain it!

[TheOrangeOne]

I have the silver one, and I have seen the blue ones work when you get the chest extender panel. I can't find it online but most tack stores that sell bucas have them available.

[Cloverbarley]

I have loads and loads of Rambos. I bought my first lot back in the 80's and all were wonderful and I still have them, and use them, each and every winter. All of the initial blankets I bought were Rambo Originals, and then one winter back in the early 90's for some reason I bought a Wug. I still have that Wug, and it is still going strong, but I dislike it very much. So much so that all blankets I've bought after that have been Rambo Originals.

The problem I have with Wugs are that they simply do not fit most of my horses at the chest. Thankfully I have one guy who is narrower than all of the others so it became his blanket about 5 years ago and he does okay in it. All of my other Rambo Originals fit everyone perfectly right down the line from my TBs right down to my DDs little pony and my yearlings.

I agree with the others and advise you to try the Rambo Original and leave the Wugs well alone.

P.S. I also bought a QH Rambo a couple of years ago - again, I would never buy another. Way too short, certainly not build for my working stock AQHAs and inferior workmanship (IMO).

[Oldenburg Mom]

Well, holy smokes. I brought my Rider Northwind home on Saturday, and VOILA! Fit him like it was custom made. It is an attractive blanket, 1680D, and guaranteed for two years against rips. Looks like he's going to be all kitted out in the Riders, as they've got a matching sheet as well.

Gee, I really hate to admit it, but I also had wonderful service at Dover's retail store in Chantilly. After all my discounts, and including tax, it only cost me $135.17. Here's a picture (http://www.doversaddlery.com/riders-international-northwind-heavy-turnout-blanket-/p/X1-24512A/cn/64/), except mine is charcoal and hunter green. I also like that when he grows, the blanket can be adjusted in the chest. It appears to be well made ... but we'll see...we'll see.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I'm glad that you found something that fits. I know how frustrating it can be!

I usually have great experiences at the Dover stores, especially the one in NH. I've heard good things about the Northwind turnouts and will be purchasing one at some point to have an extra sheet for my guy.

[onelanerode]

I think you'll be pleased with the Dover Northwind line. My mare's sheet is on its second season and still looks brand new (minus the dirt).

When her Centaur 140g kicks the bucket (or she outgrows it, which will probably happen first), I'll most likely replace it with the Northwind 100g.

I especially like the reflective piping. That makes finding a dark bay mare at night a lot easier! :lol:

I've had the same experience with the Wugs being narrower through the chest/shoulders than the original blankets. My mare has a 75 Rambo original and a 75 Rhino Wug, and the Wug is definitely a bit smaller overall. I likely could have gotten her a 72 in the Rambo original.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Another option some of you may want to look at is the Turtleneck blanket. I have several of them in my barn, and have been very happy with the fit and durability.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Oh, that makes me feel better, ... two votes for Dover's brand.

I like it so much that one of my long term goals is to get two (blanket and sheet) for everybody. :-D

[Oldenburg Mom]

Turtleneck blanket.

Done. Didn't fit. GREAT idea, though, and I LOVE the elastic surcingles (<-- did I spell that correctly? It looks wrong!)

[bambam]

My Dover Northwinds have lasted several seasons with my Dennis the Menace gelding- he is very hard on blankets. They seem to be a very good value for the $