Horseware Ireland
Amigo 1200D Medium-Weight Pony Turnout Blanket
Horsewear
Manufacturer: Horseware Ireland
Model: Amigo 1200D Medium-Weight Pony Turnout Blanket
Category: Horsewear
Purchase: I own two of these T/O blankets, both the same except for their colors-- one is lavender with "alabaster" surcingles and straps; the other is navy blue with silver.
Both were purchased new off of eBay through private parties for around $60 each, not including shipping. They usually retail for about $130. I bought the first in anticipation of a pony that I ultimately did not buy; fortunately, it happened to be just the right size for the pony I wound up with!
Likes: The colors (I LOVE making him look like an Easter Egg! :D), the tail cord instead of leg straps, ease of use overall, and the satiny nylon lining.
Dislikes: Well, unfortunately, I have to say I'd never pay full price for these. They're a bit too snug overall for a chunky Quarter/Welsh cross, and they should make the belly surcingles longer. And while the two surcingles in the chest area are admittedly easier than the typical "belt-buckle" fastening, they also limit sizing versatility. If they would use the clip-and-dee plus velcro system like SmartPak, Dover, and Pessoa T/Os have, they'd be so much better. (And also, alas, probably considerably more expensive)
On my lavender T/O, some the hardware is beginning to rust, even though he never wore it out in the rain and I live in arid Southern California. I did wash it once; maybe that had something to do with it... but, then, I just washed the navy one and it hasn't rusted so who knows...
Also, water did not even bead off of the lavender one when I got it, so I find the "100% waterproof" claim on the bag questionable on that one. The navy one was fine, though. So that brings me to one conclusion... quality control...
And although the tail cord is easier than leg straps as a mean of keeping the blanket from shifting, it gets pretty disgusting pretty fast, especially if you have a nervous horse who, ah, tends to get "the trots". Too bad the PVC-coated one on their Rambo T/Os couldn't trickle down to Amigo. (Horseware, are you listening here?)
Quality: Nice sturdy 1200D polyester, no rips (although a pesky neighbor horse managed to chew open a corner of the tail flap on the lavender one), although it's never been on him in T/O, so I can't vouch for how well it'd hold up for a pasture-kept horse. Some hardware (specifically, one of the dees for the tail cord) has begun to rust on one of them after minimal use and one machine washing. Probably not the best choice for a T/O if you live someplace like Seattle; I find their waterproof claim to be dubious. I had to use almost two can of Camp Dry to get the lavender T/O to stay dry on the shell.
Summary: Nice as a stable blanket, make sure you add waterproofing if you actually use it for it's intended purpose. I wish they would add a cli-and-dee with Velcro front closure, make the belly surcingles a little longer or include a set of extenders for all of the surcingles on the blanket, use TRUE stainless hardware, maybe even brass or powder-coated hardware, and use the PVC-coated tail cords they just introduced on their Rambo T/Os.
Rating: 3
Author: Maserati's Mommy
Date: 2010-09-19
Usefulness Rating: 2.9633 out of 5.
218 reader(s) voted.
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