Rambo® Duo Turnout Blanket
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But is it worth it?
I bought this blanket for my 4 year old who is now almost 8 and wears it everyday in the winter. He is clipped and has turnout all day. Here was my logic to buy this blanket.
If you buy the 100g liner, you have the perfect layering system for the clipped horse. What it came down to for me was if I wanted to buy a light, medium and heavy blanket for my horse with the chance that he might rip them or need them replaced every year.
Pros - The blanket has only had a small tear or two that was easy to fix. It fits my warmblood(s) perfectly. It has lasted well over four years with daily wear. It is like owning a light, medium, and heavy weight Rambo so possibly more cost efficient in the long run.
Cons - Switching the liners is no fun and if you don't fasten the shoulders, the liners can slide and get tangled around your horse's legs.
Honestly, I wouldn't get this blanket again. I LOVE Rambo blankets so I would get a medium weight Rambo, with a stable sheet to layer under it for cold days and a light turnout for those misty days. If my horse wasn't clipped, I would just get a medium blanket for snowy days.
March 30, 2013
This blanket is very high quality and durable. It doesn't shift, it looks great even after a winter full of playing and biting and running, and it fits my horse perfectly.
However, I think this system is only worth it for very specific blanket practices and may be unnecessary for others, particularly people who have blanketing service included in their board. Barn staff tend to prefer layering vs. switching blankets because it saves time and owners often prefer keeping a warm blanket on a horse instead of taking it off and putting a cold one on. If you layer winter turnouts over stable blankets you may find that you will never end up using more than one liner and maybe you won't use any of the liners at all. I have made it through an entire Canadian winter without ever touching a liner. I can't even imagine a scenario in which the 400g liner would be useful to anyone using layering.
Had I given more thought to how this would work practically I would have bought a 100g or even a no-fill blanket compatible with the liner system and then purchased liners as I felt they were needed, which would have been much less expensive.
But if you do switch blankets, have horses that live outside, or really like bundling up your horse when layering, this is an awesome system and well-worth the money.
March 5, 2013
Rambo Duo - Second Purchase
This is a replacement to a Duo purchased about 7 years ago. These are pricey, but hold up well if washed correctly and stored between seasons. The new style Duo is much improved from the previous - love the covered tail strap and removable straps. However sizing is not quite as generous as other Rambos I have purchased. I agree with other reviews that these are more "true" to size than others, which typically run large. Overall, another great Horseware product - my boys play rough and need durable turnouts!
January 25, 2013
Worth the money
I think that the price of this blanket turns people away, but it is truly, a top of the line product produced by Horseware Ireland.
Both my horses reside in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Although we don't have the grueling frosts of New England, it does get pretty cold down here.
The Rambo Duo shell is a 100g turnout with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. It's a wonderful weight for chilly evenings, but light enough for when it warms up. The removable neck piece allows for more versatility.
Once it gets really chilly, simply add in the provided 200g liner, for a 300g Heavy Weight without having to layer multiple blankets. With the exception of a lightweight rain sheet, I don't use any other blankets.
January 8, 2013
Great Fit
If you have a horse with big shoulders, this might be the blanket for you. I've tried several top brands for my mare and none fit her. This blanket stays in place even when she rolls like a madwoman in the pasture! I ended up adding leg straps and taking off the 'bum strap' so that I'd feel more comfortable. She wears this blanket 24/7 and we've had no shoulder rubs. My horse wears an 82 and we bought the 81 Rambo. There is plenty of room and it fits her perfectly. As well, her neck stays completely dry when it rains. My only complaint is that it rubs her mane.
February 7, 2012
A high quality blanket!!
I was a little put off by the high price of the blanket but needed a good rainproof blanket for my horse as I live in the northwest. The blanket not only fits my horse beautifully, he is a big guy with broad shoulders, and was worried about rubbing his shoulders. He wears a size 82-84, and I bought the 84 which fits him nicely in that it is not too tight, but not too large either. It is kind of roomy in a breathable way for all the weather variations we have during the winter. If you live in a colder climate you might want to get the 400gm liner for the weather that is consistently freezing or below. The blanket and liner stay put, the horse stays dry, and the neck cover can be removed when warmer and dry out and it is lined with a little insulation to boot! I imagine using this blanket for years to come and would by another Rambo in a heartbeat despite the price, worth every penny!
November 12, 2011