Horseware vs WeatherBeeta — Which Brand Wins on Rugs?

If you’re in the market for a turnout rug, chances are you’ve narrowed it down to two brands: Horseware and WeatherBeeta. They dominate the mid-range rug market in the UK, and for good reason — both have decades of heritage and millions of rugs on horses’ backs. But which one should you actually buy? Having tested rugs from both brands extensively, here’s my honest comparison.

Brand Heritage

Horseware Ireland have been making rugs since 1985 and are probably the most recognised name in the turnout rug market. Their Amigo and Rambo lines are household names. They’re an Irish company with a strong reputation for innovation — they were early pioneers of lightweight, breathable rug technology.

WeatherBeeta have been around since 1980 and started in Australia before expanding globally. They’re known for their ComFiTec range, which focuses on horse comfort with features like memory foam wither pads and freedom-cut shoulders.

Waterproofing

Both brands use reputable waterproof technologies, but in our testing, WeatherBeeta edged ahead. The ComFiTec Premier Freedom kept the lining bone-dry through sustained heavy rain, while the Horseware Amigo Bravo II showed some dampness around the shoulders after prolonged exposure. Neither leaked badly, but WeatherBeeta’s waterproofing was more consistently reliable.

Durability

This used to be much closer, but WeatherBeeta wins here too. The outer fabric on our tested WeatherBeeta rug felt thicker and more robust, and after 8 weeks of identical use, it showed less wear than the Horseware rug. We experienced stitching issues with the Horseware rug at week six — something we didn’t see with the WeatherBeeta until well beyond our test period.

Fit & Comfort

This is more subjective and depends on your horse’s shape. Horseware traditionally suits shorter-backed, rounder horses, while WeatherBeeta tends to work better on longer-backed, narrower horses like Thoroughbreds. The WeatherBeeta’s freedom-cut shoulder gusset is a genuine advantage for freedom of movement. Horseware’s fit has become slightly inconsistent — we found the latest Bravo II ran small compared to previous versions.

Value for Money

WeatherBeeta wins convincingly. The ComFiTec Premier Freedom 220g retails at £89.99 while the comparable Amigo Bravo II 250g sits at £119.99 — a £30 difference for what we found to be a slightly inferior product. Horseware’s prices have crept up significantly in recent years without a corresponding improvement in quality.

The Verdict

Two years ago, this would have been a much closer contest. But based on our current testing, WeatherBeeta is the better buy. They offer better waterproofing, better durability, and better value for money. Horseware still make decent rugs, but they need to address the quality-to-price ratio if they want to stay competitive. If you’re loyal to Horseware, the Rambo range is still excellent — but at the mid-range Amigo level, WeatherBeeta currently has the edge.