No internet at home as just moved so ciao time is what I can squeeze in at work for now. x
No internet at home as just moved so ciao time is what I can squeeze in at work for now. x
Member since:25.02.2003
Reviews:24
Members who trust:6
Before I start, I should mention that this review assumes you are familiar with horses, their care and rugs. I realise that may not be true in some cases but I can't imagine many of you without horses would be interested in these products! I have owned horse wear/ rambo products for several years now and cannot praise them highly enough. ==Background== Rambo turnout rugs are made by Horsewear, Ireland, a successful equine (and now also human) clothing manufacturer, which has been in business for over 20 years. They also produce indoor rugs, most notably the Rhino and horse acssesories (travle boots etc). The rambo rug was designed as the first rug not to slip, leak or restrict the horse. By the mid nineties it was the best selling outdoor horse rug
in the UK. Your Horse magazine has voted this the best turnout rug for 9 years in a row! The Rambo comes in slightly different designs and styles and there is also rhino turnouts as well now.
Products
Rambo original: This is the green rug with red cross surcingles, fillet string and front straps. The outer of this rug is ballistic nylon, with a nylon line. It is marketed as waterproof and breathable. It is the product I owned initally for my 14.2hh event pony. He is half thoroughbred but hates being stabled, and despite being 2 day event fit, he used to live out in all weathers. This rug used to keep him warm and dry. When he was clipped we used to put other rugs underneath it as required. As the rambo is quite deep and cut high on the neck, these were kept fairly dry. There, unfortunately was some leakage around the neck, but short of gluing a rug to the horses neck I cannot see how this could ever be avoided. Although occasionally my pony had obviously sweated under the rug in spring, he was never wet, which shows that the rug is indeed breathable. This product has been modified and now comes as the rambo original with leg arches. These rugs have reflective strips, three central surcingles and arches infront of the hind legs. This is meant to improve the horse's mobility in the rug. I have never found mobility a problem for a horse in the rambo original, and therefore doubt whether this (no doubt more expensive!) rug is necessary! The original comes in a light, medium and heavy weight. The level of padding filling the rug varies with the grade and so the level of warmth provided changes. During my 4 year use of the rambo original I never encountered any serious problems with it. When I first bought it, it was considered quite "posh" and I think many people thought it was a fad that would not last, and we would soon move back to traditional, waxed new zealand rugs. During the first winter of use, my pony caught a hind hoof in a cross surcingle whilst rolling and had to be freed. A friend of mine was slightly smug about how my expensive new rug was dangerous, until we examined the damage to the rug. There was some stretching of both the surcingle and the attachment point. It was obvious by the damaged part that the surcingles had been fitted (by aforementioned friend!) incorrectly: they had been attached straight across and not crossed as they should be. As the distance they have to travel this way is so much shorter the surcingle had been left dangerously long, which is why it happened. We got the rug repaired at a local saddler - I wouldn't recomend this if it is a major repair as if the sew through the outer shell, the rug will not be waterproof. Rambo Wug: When we retired my pony, he was turned out permanently. As he was quite old at this point, we decided to upgrade to the Rambo Wug. I have just been trying to decide how long he has been wearing it now - I think it is about 5-6 years. It is at least 5 anyway. Mine is the old style compared to the currently selling product. It is the heavy weight, purple and green rug. The front straps close in a triangle (patented V closure!) and this seems to produce less rub across the front of the chest. The higher neck means that there is no rubbing over the mane - so no more rubbed pieces of fluffy hair that will never plait or lay down flat! It also means an under rug is kept drier, though I have very rarely has need to put one on. The rug washes well (in an industrial machine) and mine has needed no maintenance, apart from replacing the fillet string. I have, however, lost the "donuts" that are on the surcingle buckles to stop them coming undone. Despite this, I don't think they have ever come undone while my pony is turned out. The range also includes the Duo, the supreme, California, plus and XL. I have no personal experience of these products so cannnot comment on them.
Problems?
Price. They are damn expensive compared to other rugs, but considering how long they last they do not work out more expensive in the long term. There may also be a little bit too much choice - I find the selection in the saddlery a bit overwhelming!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Light, warm, dont slip, never rub, horses seem to like them and dont try to get them off. Excellent value for money. Disadvantages: Expensive to buy, although I believe they are extremely cost effective.
honeybeee 14.06.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Rambo Turnout
Advantages: Light, warm, dont slip, never rub, horses seem to like them and dont try to get them off. Excellent value for money. Disadvantages: Expensive to buy, although I believe they are extremely cost effective.
honeybeee 14.06.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Rambo Turnout
Feb 24th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
