I’m tired of spending a fortune on rain sheets! Between my own horses and everyone at the barn, we’ve tried just about every brand—and we use them until they’re practically scraps. Finding one that fits without rubbing shoulders, keeps the horse dry, and survives barn life is harder than it should be.
Here’s my experience after years of putting them to work in Montana:
WeatherBeeta: Good quality and durable enough for our winters, although some of the front closures are difficult to manage with cold fingers.
Rambo: Made to last! I still have one from about 20 years ago, which probably justifies the price. Buying a new one still hurts, though!
Schneider’s: I like the cut, and their customer service has been great, but we’ve had several that haven’t kept our horses dry. Waterproofing has been the disappointment for me.
SmartPak: We’ve had some good blankets from them and have used their return policy on a few at the barn. They’ve been good to work with.
Amigo, Rhino, and Mio: In my experience, these have felt fairly similar in fit and performance. None has become my clear favorite.
The one I keep coming back to is the Rugged Ride 2000 Denier Adjustable Neck Waterproof Blanket. At the $75 price I’ve paid, it’s affordable, fits well, and has held up to hard use. The adjustable neck helps me get a good fit on different horses, and the heavy outer fabric has proven tough.
Most importantly, I’ve arrived at the barn after a night of pouring rain and found the horses wearing these blankets still dry.
These are my experiences with the blankets we’ve used, and fit certainly varies from horse to horse. But when it’s time to spend my own money on another rain sheet, Rugged Ride is the one I reach for!