Bucas Horse Blanket Review
Every horse owner knows that there are tons of horse blankets to choose from; you have to pick the one that is best for your horse, and that will keep it warm, clean, dry, or safe from bugs and other pests. With literally hundreds of options to choose from, the choice is overwhelming. We’ve decided to review blankets and brands to help streamline your decision, starting with Bucas.
Bucas blankets are well known for their quality, durability, and unique closure system. Many of their blankets have moisture-wicking properties and features to reduce shoulder rubs. Many styles of Bucas blankets also have a special lining, called the “stay dry lining,” which helps keep sweat and moisture from building up on your horse. They also boast strong, ballistic nylon and high denier blankets (remember, a higher denier means stronger fabric) and a perfect fit. Are these real claims, or is it all marketing? We decided to review the three most popular Bucas blankets to get a good idea of their overall quality and durability. Let’s dive in.
Bucas Power Turnout Blanket: Worth the Hype?
Power Turnout Blanket Overview
If you’ve heard of Bucas, you’ve probably heard of their power turnout blankets. Designed for comfort, strength, and durability, they come in a good range for all temperatures. The power turnout blanket line comes with a waterproof ballistic nylon shell and shoulder dart for freedom of movement. It also boasts breathability and a heat reflective aluminum coating that allows lighter weight blankets to provide extra heat, reducing the bulkiness typically associated with heavyweight turnout blankets. The chest features the Click’N Go snap system, the belly fastens with two crisscrossing surcingles, and the rear of the blanket is secured with two standard leg straps. The typical price range for a power turnout is $250-$400.
Fastening System
The power turnout blanket comes with the “Click’n Go Snap Lock Front Fastening System” that Bucas is famous for. This system is two metal pieces interlock in a unique snap system, creating a safe and smooth front closure.
Lining and Shell
The lining of the power turnout is naturally antibacterial, helping prevent skin infections like rain rot. Because of this, you can put a power turnout on a wet horse, and the horse will dry as if he’s wearing a cooler. This is great if you’re someone who rides but doesn’t have time to stay at the barn waiting for your horse to dry before turning him out! You can ride, throw the power turnout on your sweaty horse, and put him outside, knowing he’ll be dry and comfortable in no time.
Cut and Sizing
The power turnout line is available in Classic cut, Big Neck, and High Neck styles. A neck cover (called Combi Neck) is sold separately for the Classic cut style. According to Bucas, the Big Neck is a great blanket for horses with a wide chest and shoulders, like stallions, drafts, and Andalusians or Friesians.
Downsides of the Power Turnout
The downsides: personally, I don’t love the Click’n Go snap system. I find that as the blankets age, the system becomes stiffer and can be hard to use with gloves on. The other downside is that if your horse is shedding, their loose hair sticks to the lining of these blankets and can create pockets of hair between the lining and shell of the blanket. These hair clumps need to be removed or brushed out by hand, as a washing machine simply won’t cut it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a durable blanket, is very warm and comfortable, and will be useful for a large temperature range. Bucas offers a two-year warranty for waterproofing. A power turnout is a great option for people who need convenience, quality, and durability, especially for horses with wide chests and shoulders. The power turnout definitely falls on the higher end budget wise, but if you can afford it, it’s an excellent choice.
Bucas Atlantic Turnout Blanket: Best for Rainy Weather?
Atlantic Turnout Blanket Overview
Bucas calls their Atlantic Turnout a robust, versatile, waterproof turnout blanket offering warmth, wind proofing, and freedom of movement thanks to shoulder darts. Sounds great, doesn’t it!?
With a ballistic nylon outer shell and a new, silky lining they’ve coined “Dermo-care” (compared to the anti-sweat lining in the power turnout blanket line), the Atlantic turnout has some interesting features! This model is available with 50, 200, or 400 grams of fill for a wide temperature range. The typical price range for an Atlantic Turnout blanket is $220-$370.
Fastening System
The front closure of this turnout blanket is the standard Click’n Go system seen with many of the Bucas blankets. In addition to this system, it has a magnetic snap-lock for extra security, a nice addition by Bucas.
Lining and Shell
The lining in the Atlantic Turnout blanket makes it stand out over Bucas’s other options. The Dermo-Care lining is silky and helps keep the horse’s coat soft and shiny. The only disadvantage is that this blanket can’t double as a cooler, which we saw with the power turnout, so that’s something to keep in mind. The shell of the Atlantic is made with durable ballistic nylon, covered with a breathable, waterproof coating.
Cut and Sizing
The shape of the Atlantic Blanket is similar to that of the power turnout. Shoulder darts, leg straps, crisscrossing belly surcingles, and the standard Bucas fit. However, the Atlantic blanket is only available in Classic cut with the option of purchasing the Combi Neck as an add-on and Big Neck. There is no High Neck cut for this model.
Downsides of the Atlantic Turnout
The only real downside of the Atlantic turnout is that it cannot double as a cooler, so it isn’t the best choice if you need to occasionally put it on a wet horse. However, the silky inner lining will keep your horse very shiny and soft. This blanket has a more limited range of cuts and sizes, carrying only the Classic and Big Neck cuts, no High Neck.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a great daily blanket for your horse. Due to the wide range of fill options, you could have one for every season. The ballistic nylon will ensure the blanket survives many, many seasons on your horse, and most owners with this blanket love it. It’s certainly a good choice, and slightly less expensive than the power turnout blankets, making it a more affordable purchase.
Bucas Freedom Fly Sheet: Perfect Summer Choice?
Not only does Bucas offer warm, cozy turnout blankets and stable sheets, they have a line of fly sheets too! Their most popular model is the Freedom Fly Sheet.
Freedom Fly Sheet Blanket Overview
The Freedom Fly Sheet is an affordable option providing high quality and value. Designed to be a lightweight blanket, the light mesh allows maximal air circulation to help keep your horse cool while protecting them from flies and pests. A full neck cover and oversized tail flap is standard in the Freedom range blankets.
Lined with a silky liner along the withers, mane, shoulder and chest to help prevent rubbing, this is a very comfortable fly sheet. The last thing you want is your fly sheet to rub your horses’ hair off or cause discomfort, so Bucas made sure to address these issues with the Freedom range.
Fastening System
The front closure is a T-bar metal clasp, and the front fabric overlaps for maximal fly protection. The belly straps are crossing surcingles, and the rear of the blanket is stabilized with standard crisscrossing leg straps.
Lining and Shell
The inner layer of the Freedom Fly sheet is a “Silk-feel lining” to help prevent rubbing and discomfort. In order to keep the blanket as lightweight and breathable as possible, this special lining is only present along the withers, mane, shoulder and chest. The shell is a lightweight mesh that feels soft to the touch and contours your horses’ body.
Cut and Sizing
The Freedom Fly sheet is cut the same way as the rest of the Freedom line, with the “Freedom Cut” fit. This cut is considered a more slim fit, and does not have shoulder darts. Regular, more narrow chested horses like thoroughbreds will do well in this cut of blanket, but horses with wider chests (like drafts, cobs, etc), may find this blanket a bit snug around the chest.
This fly sheet comes in a full neck size range of 85 / 3’6 – 165 / 7’0. Other brands might be a better option for you if you have a wide-chested horse.
Downsides of the Freedom Fly Sheets
Overall, this is a really solid fly sheet. The only obvious downside is the lack of shoulder darts, which might restrict shoulder movement for wider horses. Therefore, the Freedom Fly Sheet is best used on a thoroughbred type, narrower horse, without a large chest or shoulder. Thankfully Bucas has other fly sheet options for wider horses, which you can check out on their website.
Final Thoughts
The Freedom blanket range offers a lightweight version to fly sheets and summer sheets, giving your horse maximal pest protection without overheating him. The reviews for the Freedom range are mostly positive, aside from some concerns for tightness in large chested horses.
There are also many accessories you can add to your Freedom blanket, like a neck cover or a fly mask, and this blanket comes in many different colours. A good value for your money, a Freedom sheet is a solid choice.
Conclusion
Bucas is a reputable brand that provides high quality products for all kinds of horses. Their three most popular blankets showcase the thoughtfulness behind their designs and their success catering to a variety of types. The fabric they use is robust and will hold up well to playing in the paddock, and their blankets are known to fit true to size. Overall, purchasing a Bucas blanket is a solid choice and you won’t be disappointed!