The ‘perfect’ rug for all seasons

Our reviewer could not sing the praises of this versatile turnout rug enough

Never have I come across a rug that has come in extremely useful throughout the whole year. Until now. I began testing the 100g Rambo Original rug in July last year (so I have certainly put it through its paces), because one of our mares had a tendency to get very cold and ill when it rains. We did have a big scare with Ellie in the past, when the non-removable lining of one of her different, old, rugs got wet. In one way or another this led to a nasty bout of colic, hence her warmth and comfort are of utmost importance.

This rug is made from a breathable fabric, meaning that Ellie doesn’t sweat up under it and risk getting cold. The rug also features an anti-static and anti-bacterial lining, with thermobonded fibrefill.

Over the summer Ellie lives out and has her lightweight on if it does get cold or rainy. From day one this rug fitted her perfectly, as you can see from the photos. She is quite a big girl, with a lot of bone, so we sometimes find it hard to get a rug that doesn’t rub her, especially her chest, however this rug gave her plenty of room at the front. The leg arches are also a great feature, giving a secure and comfortable fit that keeps her warm and dry at all times.

The rug took us through to autumn perfectly and into winter, as it has a clever liner system. You can purchase additional liners to build it up to the weight that you need, making it a really versatile rug. If required a removable neck can also be purchased, however I chose not to partner it with a neck and it still performed brilliantly.

Even when Ellie managed to get this rug extremely muddy the reflective strips at the side could still be seen, which I think is important over the winter. The rug is made from a 1000D ballistic nylon waterproof and breathable outer, meaning that it was also easy to wipe/brush down, and, as you can see from the pictures, it still looks nearly new, even a year on!

My favourite thing about this rug is the attention to detail that has gone into its design. Everything ‘handy’ has been thought about and catered for. For example, the Surefit neck design with V-front closure gives freedom of movement, and the front features 2 Velcro fastenings alongside the clips. In the past, it is common for the Velcro to become old here, or get filled with grass and stop working, however this has not happened with this rug. Another great feature is the safety surcingle feature, which certainly puts your mind at rest.

Features include:

Three-year warranty

Breathable

Leg arches

Liner system

Safety surcingles system

Reflective safety straps

V-front closure

Waterproof

Wipe clean tail cord

Buy now: Rambo Original rug at Naylors from £241.95

Verdict

Despite a full year of testing, nothing has broken or even worn out on this rug — I can certainly see why it is described as the strongest, most durable turnout material on the market