Riding a wet horse?

[Sarah1]

Hi guys

I know back in the day we never used to tack up a wet horse because of tack chaffing etc.

With the development of nice lined numnahs etc is that still the case?

Sorry to sound daft - just thought I'd check!

Cheers!

 

[lochpearl]

personally I don't ride mine wet, but then I have 2 thin skinned wimps and just the look of the saddle would make them go bald!!! LOL!!

 

[barbaraNcolin]

I thought I read somewhere that it's ok to ride a wet horse and the above is just a myth but I still don't personally do it because my 2 are normally grouchy if they've been out in the rain.

 

[dwi]

I never used to at all but will admit to have occassionally ridden a slightly damp horse because the weather this summer is so unpredictable. I wouldn't if she was wet and muddy because there could be gritty bits but slightly damp and clean doesn't seem any worse to me than her getting really sweaty under a numnah on a 4hour hack in the summer. It probably depends on the horse though. Daisy has a coat like a yeti even in summer and isn't prone to chaffing

 

[wormhugs]

I do, otherwise I would never have got to ride when I lived up in Scotland!!! As long as he wasnt muddy where the saddle/bridle go, I've never hesitated.
Go for it!!

 

[SillyMare]

I do, always make sure they are really clean where their tack goes though.

They get wet and sweaty as soon as they work anyway!

 

[Scribbles]

I give a good rub with a fleece cooler.

 

[WishfulThinker]

As long as there is no mud I give mine a rub and then ride with a numnah - the saddle area usually ends up as the only dry part!!

 

[golddustsara]

My boy lives out 24/7 so sometimes it can't be helped. I try to give a good rub down with a towel first tho.

 

[Ezme]

I agree with alot of the others, wet is fine, dirty is not. I've found our shire crosses take alot longer to dry than the finer coated percherons and brabant/boulanaise so he will go out damp.

 

[adgetom]

i ride wet just not soaking!

 

[MurphysMinder]

When I was young (back in the dark ages) we were taught you should never put a saddle on a wet back. Always used to have to dry out pony by thatching with straw before tacking up. Nowadays not many people seem to bother, though daughter always tries to bring horse in early to dry off if he is very wet.

 

[BigRed]

To be honest, if she is that wet, it means it's still raining and I hate riding in the rain.

 

[seche]

Ive ridden my thin skinned whimps damp - but not wet - its an amazing invention called a bath towel! - on horse, numnahs as usual on top - easy peasy! Lots of racing yards do it too to save on washing numnahs endlessly as towels are easier to wash and dry than poly pads. (well its wat we and 2 other yards I can think of do)

 

[I_A_P]

I bathed Digby the other day then got striaght on and went for a ride and he was nice and dry when i got back

 

[niagaraduval]

I don't ride when they're wet.. Just because I would hate to have tack thrown on me if I was soaking wet.. LOL

 

[Firewell]

I just rub my horse with a towl, use a numnah and go! They get wet when they sweat up under their sddle and girth anyway so I wouldnt be worried about chaffing (mean mummy!). I would do the girth up gradually though just in case they felt a bit cold backed!

 

[Janette]

I made a discovery the other week. If I towel her as dry as I can, then put the pads that you use with leg bandages (cotton wool stuff, with a sponge centre) over her saddle area, then a fleece, the wet is wicked away really quick - just like a thermatex rug.

Then I clipped her out (winter coat big style) and put a LW turnout on = dry horsey.

 

[Nickijem]

My horse hates having a saddle put on his wet back. He will run backwards a bit when I get on him and he feels very tense for the first few yards so I try to bring him in early to give him enough time to dry off.

 

[jellyshake]

never used to as was always told it was a no no, but then that was back in the day when we didn't always use a saddle cloth

we actually put leather saddles straight on a horses back

now though if i never rode a wet horse I'd never get to ride, i don't if it's persisting down because lets face it it's no fun getting a wet bum and rain running down the back of your neck