October 11, 2013

2013 Blanketing

Like Hillary, I spent a long time debating this winter's clipping/blanketing options.  Those TuffRiders last year will go down as my worst purchase ever and went straight into the trash as soon as it got warm, leaving me without a medium or a light option for this year, and one aged heavy.

What factored into my decision?
1. Cost.  Rambo tastes on a TuffRider budget, right here!
2. Longevity.  Last year's blanketing mishaps taught me the difference between being cheap and being frugal.  Cheap = lasts half a winter and rubs my horse's mane out.  Frugal = my Schneiders heavy that's been through two horses and three winters and keeps on kicking.
3. REMOVABLE neck cover.  I didn't want to bust out the seam ripper again after realizing my horse had lost half his mane.
4. Flexability.  I couldn't afford to buy a whole new set of blankets, but I could afford to buy something that would give me the ability to upgrade it to a heavier weight as it gets colder/when my husband gets a job without buying a whole new blanket...


Connor's "It's 70 degrees, WHY AM I WEARING THIS!" face.
So I bought the Amigo 12 Bravo lite six weeks ago in a Labor Day super sale from Adams Horse and Pet Supplies, plus a coupon code, knowing it's compatible with the Horseware liner system and I can buy a medium and heavy liner later.  Adams was also offering the free halter/lead and half off neck covers purchased with the blanket.  No brainer.  Ended up way cheaper than I was looking at on SmartPak.

I still think neck covers make horses look like dinosaurs.

I am only just now writing this because I ordered the same size as his other blanket (69") due to everyone saying Amigo's run big, and it was WAY too small.  Anyone else had that issue?  I think the little guy really did grow "out" in his 7th year as his breeder said he would.  After a pleasant exchange with Adams (great company!!), we ended up with the 3" larger 72" size.  He's a real horse size now!  My baby pony is growing up!

22 comments:

  1. " Rambo tastes on a TuffRider budget, right here!"
    Oh, yeah, Baby! I'm right there with you!!

    "I still think neck covers make horses look like dinosaurs."
    LMAO! I couldn't have said it better myself!

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    1. Someday we will both own Rambos!! But our horses will still look like dinosaurs...

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  2. Depending on the next cover color they can look like KKK members as well..

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    1. Hahaha, did not think of that! Luckily nothing in a barn stays white for long, right?

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  3. Good post. Amigo is my least favorite of all horseware but I admittedly have expensive taste but after spending a few hundred dollars on amigos and them rubbing hue and not lasting the way I wanted I decided it wasn't worth it. Hope that yours lasts better than mine. I think I just got unlucky as other ppl seem to love theirs! They have a new wug line too!

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    1. No need to justify your awesome purchases! I would have been right there with you after my promotion this year if not for Nick losing his job. One other reason I went with the Amigo is that I want to keep the liners and upgrade to Rambo within a year or two. It's my first Horseware, so fingers crossed!

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  4. I'm totally with you on the TuffRider blanket. I've owned one and was not impressed! I have a Rhino blanket that I love and have owned for several years. I'm with everyone else, I'm purchasing Rambo's for Emi (I hope).

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    1. Yeah, save your pennies for some good ones for sure. They are worth it.

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  5. Funny, I always thought Amigos ran small!

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    1. Maybe you're right! I've never used them before, but many of the reviews said they ran big. Live and learn!

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  6. Connor looks great in his new clothes! I am with you on the Schneider blankets - think we are going into year 4 for Riva and Cheers medium weights. Anxious to hear what you think of the Horseware - Riva needs a new heavyweight this year with a removable neck.

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    1. So far, I am impressed. I like the leg arches, it makes the blanket both hug his body and not hang ridiculously low. I'll keep you posted!

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  7. I dont think I have bought a blanket not on sale in years! The boys pasture seems to come in with tons of ripped blankets (2 naughty boys that rip them all off everyone else). My Amigos seem to hold up really well so far although I would love to splurge on a nice freestyle Weatherbetta with a neck cover one day...

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    1. Sale is good, TuffRider is not! Haha. I have never looked at Weatherbeetas seriously because they have such a short shoulder gusset, I didn't think they'd work for Connor. But then, the Amigo doesn't have gussets at all and has leg arches so I'm not sure. If you get one, let me know how it works!

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  8. I only buy blankets on sale especially since I have decided to get Weatherbetta's. With my broad shoulder and short backed horses those freestyle blankets work the best. Schneiders are great value blankets and they last too.
    Connor's looks good. I don't have any experience with Tuffrider or Amigo, but good to know what to avoid.

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    1. Interesting about the Freestyle, I have avoided them specifically because that really short shoulder gusset looked like it wouldn't work for a broad shouldered horse. I might have to give it a second look now that you say that.

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  9. Hey, I use the Amigo for Rory- love it.

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    1. Cool, that's a good vote of confidence for it fitting my Cob! What size is he?

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  10. Loveee blankets!! He's so cute!!

    Welcome to really horse sizes!!

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    1. Why thank you! I am so happy to be in horse sizes!

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