I've worked for a saddlery for most of the last 10 years, and I've always had Weatherbeeta Rugs.

The Landa Freestyle is one of my favourites. At one point it was available in three weights: no fill, 100g and 220g, but I believe that the 100g rug is discontinued and we won't be seeing it again.

I have had my current Landa medium for 3 years (only got this one because my horse gained muscle and the old one was a bit tight!) and had it washed about once a year. So far, it hasn't needed to be reproofed which is great when my friends are all paying £12 a pop to get their rugs washed and mine works out at a fiver!

My welsh cob is only 14.2hh but he takes a 6'6" rug - chunky lad with a bit front end and he's very deep. Typical cob I guess. I like the Freestyle rugs because although they aren't overly huge in the neck opening, they are roomy around the chest and shoulders. The placement of the shoulder darts help this.

You can buy the rug either without a neck (but with 3 d rings to attach one) or in a full neck version known as a Landa Freestyle Combo. Weatherbeeta used to make a high neck version which you can still pick up second hand on places like eBay. The only thing I would say is that if you want a neck cover to match your rug, you might be disappointed. In autumn/winter 2011, Weatherbeeta seemed to make hardly any neck covers and they were sold out by Christmas. I think they believe that we all want no neck cover or a fixed neck cover - that isn't the case at all!

The good news is that Saxon and Masta neck covers can attach to this rug as long as they have clips or straps for 3 D rings. Mark Todd, JHL and Amigo neck covers aren't compatible unfortunately, but if you get desperate and can't find a Weatherbeeta one, at least you have options.

The other great feature of a Freestyle rug is the tail flap; it is a lot larger than on a "standard" rug and offers more protection from the elements. I've heard a few people say that it can blow up but never had that problem myself. You can also take the leg straps off if you want, whether to replace them or use a fillet string instead.

Other things.. no issue with the rug slipping at all, fastenings are still easy to do even in winter when you're cold, wet and muddy and your hands don't want to work! The chest is satin lined to help reduce rubbing (not a problem I've ever had) and there's a fleece wither pad too for comfort.