Riding a wet horse?

[canteron]

Do you - as the nights are getting warmer and the rugs come off, what do you do if there is unexpected rain.
I have some time flexibility so try not to, but is it wrong? I always imagine it will make the skin under the saddle rub?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

It's only like riding and getting the horse sweaty. Just make sure the horse is clean to prevent rubs. Must admit I don't ride if my boy is wet but I can't really see an issue with it!!

 

[cauda equina]

I dry them off as much as possible under the saddle with a towel and have never had rubbing

 

[ycbm]

I wouldn't ride a wet newly backed horse, because you really don't need an unexpected sensation to trigger them, but an older one yes no problem.
.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Depends how wet.

Utterly sodden, looks like drowning is a possibility, no, I'm a fair weather rider and he's grumpy when wet.

A bit damp, then yeah why not, I'm going to assume my saddle pad doesn't know the difference between rain and sweat. I will brush any mud off but not groom because I wouldn't want to push the water down into the lower layers of fur.

 

[JBM]

I don’t just because I would think it’s the same as putting clothes on without drying off after a shower..uncomfortable but fine

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a couple of towels at the stables to dry him off but if he was already soaking, I wouldnt ride as I know how sensitive he is and would get itchy as he dried

 

[stimpy]

I have unrugged ponies and would never ride in winter if I didn't ride them when they are wet


I just towel their backs a bit and I have had no issues on either my ridiculously hairy Icelandic or very fine coated Welsh x warmblood.

 

[KJ94]

My hairy native is completely fine being ridden wet and couldn’t care less, it’s my tack that isn’t so keen

 

[Red-1]

I make sure I bring in and let the saddle sit for 10 minutes to warm the back and let it settle, but yes, I do ride if wet.

 

[Surbie]

I do - I keep towels at the yard and make sure where the tack goes is as dry as possible and as clean as possible.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I ride evenif they are wet. No horse has ever seemed bothered.

 

[SEL]

wet - yes

Wet and rolled in the mud - no. I just cry.

 

[FitzyFitz]

I do endurance, so will often be tacking up a wet horse mid competition, never had a problem. Mine are mostly unrugged over winter too, so will frequently be ridden wet. I'll generally try and scrape the lumpy mud off but wont properly groom if the muds wet so its on the surface of the fur not rubbed in.
If their saddle doesnt rub when they are wet from sweat, being wet from rain or washing shouldn't make a difference.

 

[sbloom]

Clean, yes, dry? No need.

 

[Cortez]

Sure, horses will be wet under the saddle anyway if they’re sweating.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I just rubb off access then place a dry towel over the back while I faff or chuck a fleece on so it dries a bit.

 

[scruffyponies]

There are days in winter when all I can do is to curry comb the actual lumps of mud off from the places the saddle touches. Any attempt to clean or dry them would just damage the hair and drive the mud into the coat. Riding from the field you don't have a horse wash.
Most of the wet and mud seems to end up in the numnah... according to my husband who clears the sump in the washing machine.

I do try to give them a minute or so with the saddle on loosely if they're wet. I figure it's more comfortable to warm the thing up before girthing up.