Younger horseowners won't remember what blanketing an animal used to be like, before the advent of Rambo and Amigo horse rugs. If you want an idea, look up an old copy of the Pony Club manual (published in England) and read up on how to rug a pony. However, thanks to Horseware of Ireland, things are much simpler and more satisfactory now.

Wild herds are extremely well adapted to weather changes. They grow shaggy coats of long hair in winter and can survive in cold that would kill cows or mules. They shed all that long hair in spring and go through the summer glossy and sleek, able to keep cool on hot days and muggy nights. They move around freely when temperatures drop, keeping their blood moving to warm themselves, and seek out shady spots when it's hot.

Clipping is done because the naturally heavy winter coat makes horses sweat too much when worked strenuously, as in the hunt field or in a serious schooling session. Cooling out a shaggy animal can be a long and tedious process, during which it can get sick if things aren't done properly. Over the years, people have tried to find an ideal way to keep clipped horses warm when they were stabled or turned out in the field. Cold weather was hard; rain and cold together were worse.

At one time, layers were used for winter protection. Cotton next to the coat wicked away sweat, wool provided warmth even when it got wet, and waterproof sheets laid over all tried to keep out rain without overheating the animal. All of this was hard to keep in place if a horse ran, rolled, or even tried to graze.

Keeping coverings in place without restricting movement of the neck and shoulders was a whole other problem. Fortunately, Horsewares solved all of the above. Their Rambo blanket proved to be warm, waterproof, and securely fitting. Best of all, this design 'breathed', allowing excess body heat to be transferred through the covering and keeping the animal from sweating under its turn-out blanket. One blanket could provide both day and night protection.

Amigo is the Horseware budget line of turn-outs, stable blankets, fly sheets, and other equine equipment. The turn-outs are waterproof and warm, they breathe, and they stay in place just like the Rambos. They also wear well. Reviews from satisfied customers testify to the performance of these economical, well-designed blankets.

The whole point of turning a horse out is so that it can run, roll, and graze naturally. An ill-fitting rug will cause rubbed and stiff shoulders and chafed necks, and will probably end up dragging along the ground after a few hours. Because one size does not fit all, the Amigo line has many sizes. Because fitting our equine companions out is fun, the sheets and blankets come in a variety of colors.

Amigo horse rugs give complete satisfaction and seasons of wear at an affordable price. Many sizes and colors complete this line of rugs, sheets, hoods, and other gear for horses.