JHL Essential medium turnout
Pros
- Simple design
- The filling feels very warm
Cons
- Outer fabric only 600D
- If you choose not to buy the neck cover, the D ring fastenings attached to the rug cannot be removed
Manufacturer:
Price as reviewed:
£59.99
JHL Essential medium weight turnout
The first thing that came to mind with the JHL Essential medium weight turnout rug was that it was simple and practical, which is what I expected being in the brand’s “Essential” range. It felt well made but at £59.99 (which does not include the detachable neck cover) for a 600D rug, it feels a little pricey in comparison to other budget-friendly rugs that offer a higher denier and include a neck cover in the price, such as the Derby House Evolution Detach-A-Neck medium turnout.
The JHL Essential rug has a 200g polyfill and this kept my clipped mare lovely and warm on a cold evening. You can really feel the weight of the rug, but thankfully it didn’t become too heavy when wet.
The rug comes in navy with burgundy seams, or burgundy with navy seams, and features front buckle fastenings with Velcro, adjustable surcingles and leg straps. It also has reinforced nylon “anti-rub” shoulders, with gussets for comfort and overall is smart looking.
My mare definitely put the rug to the test and she had lots of freedom of movement, however the tail flap I found to be quite on the large side and I did spot it flapping in the wind on a number of occasions.
A detachable neck cover available separately for £25 can be attached by D rings on the rug. While this type of fastening would be my favoured when it comes to neck covers, if you choose not to buy the neck cover then you have a rug with D rings on that are not required.
I would describe the JHL Essential medium turnout rug as functional and user-friendly. The 6ft3in size was quite roomy on my 15.2hh Connemara X ISH mare, but overall it fitted very well and I would stick to this size. My personal preference is usually a higher denier as she has been known to rip rugs in the past, plus living in Scotland means we have plenty of rain, but the rug has stood up to the test.
Verdict
This rug very much does what it says on the tin in terms of its simplicity and I would recommend it. You are getting good quality, a smart design and most importantly it fits well. However, it’s difficult not to compare it to the Rhinegold Konig 200g outdoor rug, which is marginally cheaper and comes with a number of extra features.
View now at viovet.co.uk
Who tested these rugs?
Becky Murray started freelance writing for Horse & Hound in 2016 alongside other equestrian titles, before joining the H&H news team in July 2018. During her time at H&H she has reported on a broad range of topics across the equestrian industry including welfare issues, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings, rider safety, and road safety campaigns. In 2019 she attended the national Strangles Symposium and the Scottish welfare conference.
Becky was part of the home remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympic Games and the European Showjumping Championships and has reported from Morris Equestrian, the Royal Highland Show and Blair Castle International Horse Trials. She also regularly contributes to the weekly H&H podcast.
Based in north Scotland, Becky learnt to ride at the age of five. She got the showjumping bug with her 13.2hh older pony Phoenix, who used to particularly enjoy a chase-me-Charlie. She went on to compete in British Showjumping and riding club activities as a teenager with her pony Sparkle. After losing two horses in 2015 to illness and injury, Becky is now producing two Irish mares, Ruby and Chloe, and hopes to get back in the showjumping ring in the future. She also has two miniature Shetland sisters, Mootie and Poppet, who keep her on her toes.
Find out more about how Horse & Hound tests products
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