Does the rain put you off riding?

[Elf On A Shelf]

You dont routinely ride your own anyway though, so not sure it counts?

No I have nothing of my own to ride at the moment but the sentiment still stands. I rarely rode in the rain when I did have something to ride and doubt I will ride in the rain when I get another.

 

[millitiger]

I'll school in any weather.

I'll hack in rain but don't set out if it's torrential and dark skies as I worry about drivers not seeing/ stopping in time.
I do now have hi viz with LED lights so I feel safer if caught out in biblical rain.

 

[humblepie]

Yes - does depend. If horse is going to go out in field then probably not as even with a rain sheet his shoulders and front would be wet to rug. That is probably the only consideration. He is quite cute and is actually quite happy splashing along in the rain. if you compete the horse does need to be able to go nicely in rain and wind so can’t hide from it.

 

[Nasicus]

Depends on how I'm feeling, how pony is feeling. Usually light rain won't put us off, I avoid heavy or torrential though, not fun for either of us really.

 

[ycbm]

Fair weather rider here. I'm reluctant to find a share partly because I know I will be expected to pay to ride on "my" days when if the horse was mine I wouldn't ride that day, I'd wait for another better one.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I'm curious, it's currently tipping it down in Wales, and I'm about to get on loxley, for a 'nice ride', but it's not very nice , I've not tacked up yet, and I'm thinking it might be nicer to rug him up and stable him, then I'll go inside and have a brew

as long as horse has waterproofs and i have ........ no problem.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I did end up having a plod around in the arena only for 20 minutes but at least it was a little exercise for his old bones!

 

[Fieldlife]

Yes - does depend. If horse is going to go out in field then probably not as even with a rain sheet his shoulders and front would be wet to rug. That is probably the only consideration. He is quite cute and is actually quite happy splashing along in the rain. if you compete the horse does need to be able to go nicely in rain and wind so can’t hide from it.

I’ve never found this a problem being too wet to rug. In winter horse is clipped, summer has summer coat. I use exercise sheet, have a bag of old towel. I’ve always found by the time I’ve untacked and rubbed down with towel are dry enough to go out.

 

[4Hoofed]

EquiDry on. Exercise sheet on and off we go. I have to say I’m not a fan. But my horse is a monstrous knob to deal with when he’s halfway fit and well if his legs aren’t stretched. As such I’ve judged his recover from his abscess by how many texts I receive across the day about his antics and he’ll be hacking out tomorrow rain or shine he’s a sort that needs to work or he finds his own outlet for his energy.

 

[nikkimariet]

Depends how bad. Biblical? No. Unless I’m already on and then I just carry on.

 

[southerncomfort]

Yes
Because the road outside is hellishly slippery when it's wet. Dangerously so.

Planning on getting Bo some hoof boots soon so he's less likely to slip, and then I'll have no excuse!

 

[Palindrome]

Not since I have been hailed on twice in one single hack, my poor horse didn't want to go forward any more and I was soaked and cold to the core.

 

[scats]

Proudly in the fair weather camp!
I’ve done my competitive days, when I rode whatever the weather. Rain brings me nothing but misery nowadays so I avoid it at all costs. I don’t find any fun in getting soaked, getting my horse soaked, my tack soaked… yuk.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Yes, I ride in rain.

When you need a fit horse you just have to (almost always) ride in whatever the weather is doing

I feel I should probably add to my original comment that riding in the rain becomes a lot easier with truly waterproof riding gear (Berghaus coat, DoPo riding skirt and Ariat waterproof boots), a waterproof saddle cover and a biothane bridle so you don't have to tack clean after. All I have to do is hose off my bridle & girth!

I also have off road riding so the luxury of not worrying about traffic.

I actually (almost) quite enjoy it as invariably the trails are pretty empty and there is something to be said for splashing through puddles for fun! Plus, you get to feel a bit smug for putting your coat on and riding anyway

 

[Keith_Beef]

The rain doesn't bother me much; when the weather is cold and wet I wear a waxed cotton jacket or coat.

What bothers me more is the state of the sand in the arena, when I have a lesson after very wet weather.

It fairly grabs at my boots as I walk the horse into the arena, and it must do the same to the horse's hooves.

And I'm not all that keen on falling into mix of rainwater, sand and horse muck.

 

[Suby2]

If I had somewhere under cover to get ready I would happily ride in the rain but sadly I have to stand in the open in the wind, rain or whatever, and so no.

 

[Skib]

I am another sharer or RS rider who always rode in pouring rain. One has a fixed day and time. Last week it was both cold and wet on my share day and for the first time ever, I decided not to ride.
The anxiety about Covid for over 80s made me realise that going out on a horse and getting cold and soaked to the skin is no longer a good idea.
I read on this forum that there are older people who dont ride in winter. I fear that if I stop clambering on a horse every week, I will not be able to get on again ever. After the lock down break, mounting and dismounting were really difficult. And sometimes they still are.

 

[Barton Bounty]

BB still a happy boy going out in the rain. Especially since he get fully dried off

 

[Boughtabay]

I dont mind riding in the rain/wind if I’m already on board but I hate tacking up/getting going in the wind&rain. Hes muddy and gross, his hairs are sticking to me, my hair is sticking to me, raynauds(sp?) flares up means tacking up becomes difficult. God it’s such a CHORE to get going in bad weather

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Todays ride wasn't fun in the rain and cold wind. If the baby pony didn't need an escort as he continues his eduction, I would have stayed in. He was perfect despite the weather. Unfortunately I was riding another horse who wasn't happy about being out and the baby pony had to escort us. Good experience for him (not for me).

 

[spotty_pony]

Yes, I won’t go out in heavy rain - if it happens whilst we are out that’s not as bad but I try and work around the forecast. I went out today in light rain reluctantly but actually didn’t get that wet and it was a nice ride.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Having lived all over the world and ridden in wet, cold, windy weather particularly in the UK and thought nothing of it and now settled in Australia - I am impressed that anyone rides in rain/wet/cold as I won’t do it even if it’s just pathetic Aussie rain, which doesn’t last long.

I also draw the line if it is too sunny………….I hate the glare that reflects off the arena and I hate the way my sunnies sit with my helmet. And of course the flies mid-summer. Fine weather, but overcast, 18-25C perfect.

 

[still standing]

I'm another who hates riding in the rain and don't see any point in it, unless I'm in caught the middle of a lesson or out somewhere. I will check the weather forecast days ahead, hope it is accurate, and plan to ride on the best days. That doesn't always work out of course. I have been known to arrive at the yard, stand in the barn entrance looking out despondently at the weather, then just groom and spend some quality time with my horses (one lives in, one out) and go home again! Not a wasted day though.

 

[saddlesore]

Nah, I live in the west coast of Scotland. If I didn’t ride in the rain I wouldn’t ride

 

[Birker2020]

No I have nothing of my own to ride at the moment but the sentiment still stands. I rarely rode in the rain when I did have something to ride and doubt I will ride in the rain when I get another.

I used to prefer schooling in the rain, as long as it was just drizzle.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Yes. I can usually avoid it and still if i keep a close eye on the weather over the week and adapt accordingly. Fortunately where I live the weather is usually pretty good most of the time. Last week I didn’t ride mon-Thursday as it was both wet and windy and work was hectic. That’s unusual though.

 

[SOS]

I try schedule rides around the rain but it doesn’t always happen so I have to suck it up and get on. Obviously I prefer to ride when it’s not raining, I’m fine once on board but everything feels an extra faff.

I’ve heard people say that in the UK if you don’t ride when it’s raining, windy or
hard you won’t ride at all.

 

[silv]

Nah, I live in the west coast of Scotland. If I didn’t ride in the rain I wouldn’t ride

I totally get you on that, lived there till I was in my late 30's then moved to NZ. Will ride in light drizzle but that is it my days of riding in the rain are over, unless it rains at a lesson, competition or a hunt then I will still ride. But hacking no way.

 

[Love]

If you don't ride in the rain in Yorkshire, you won't ever ride That has seemed to stick with me even after moving a few years ago. I actually don't mind it - fully waterproofed and warm and out when no one else is is quite a nice feeling! (What I do hate is setting off in completely different weather and getting caught out with no waterproofs - wet undies are not fun)!!

 

[ycbm]

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