All this bad weather we've been having is making me think of winter rugs!

What do you reckon are the best outdoor rugs? Tried lots of different makes and the only ones that have lasted longer than one season are rambo?

We have no barbed wire but £90 rugs of different makes still manage to fall to bits in a few months...what do you all find are the best?

I'm a Weatherbeeta fan - the Taka medium and heavyweights are just great, and they fit both my ultra chunky 15.2hh QH and my slim-line strange shaped mule. Had one tiny rip last winter but Jack lives out in the day in a group of very playful geldings. The cheaper Weatherbeeta ranges are the same nice fit but don't seem as sturdy.

Also Fal - beautiful rugs - try www.equestrianclearance.com they usually have a cheaper selection of Fal rugs available, the full price ones are eye watering and I have never been able to bring myself to shell out that much on one rug to discover if they're worth it!

Tried a William Funnel turnout once and it fell apart within days - hopeless.

Very impressed with Shires lightweight turnouts, again great fit on the QH, not tried their winter rugs though. Prequestrian is an ebay shop who are dead helpful and they have the whole Shires range.

Finally I would be tempted by Premier Equestrian - got a few of their things and I like them - if it wasn't for the fact that I am something akin to the Imelda Marcos of rugs (I start to panic if I don't have a spare spare for every type of rug, which is frankly pathetic) I would give them a try this season. Liked their lightweight turnout with detachable neck very much and it seems very sturdy. http://www.premierequine.co.uk/

Happy shopping!

I have a big chunky 15.3hh QH who is prone to "redesigning" his rugs, the best rugs I have are those bought from Tesco! They fit him - and he is wide across the chest and so far I have got nearly two winters use out of his Tesco Outdoor Rug which came with a detatchable neck cover. His fly sheet and neck cover, again from Tesco has lasted two summers as well! They are good quality rugs.

To be honest i never buy cheap rugs any more. they dont last.

i've always used FAL. Yes not cheap but last. my boy has a LW viking that is about 100 years old! it looks it too but i had it washed and proofed and it still does the job. i have a rambo QH rug - thats ok too.

i'd like an american style stable rug though. one with the closed front and funny leg straps? any ideas where to get one?

Thinking about it - the only cheaper rug i have found any good is a mark tood turnout, mine was a mw. it fits well at the front and it never rubbed/leaked. never ripped either. in fact, i still have it (and will be selling it as its too small for my current horse) and i would have another.

Jumpers horse line rugs are good, and not too expensive, mark todd, very good, and the rambo/horseware ireland rugs are really nice, cant say im a huge weatherbeta fan, but some of their range are ok.

Post edited by: cheiro1, at: 2008/07/13 20:58