Rugging wet horses

SatansLittleHelper

SatansLittleHelper

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Arrrggghh got to go to horses shortly and we unrugged them this morning as it was mild...now persisting it down so they're going to be soaked!!! They both have irish type clips and its due to be pretty cold tonight. Will it hurt to rug them up? They live out....nightmare :(
 
yes, ive done it tonnes of times. just towel off as best you can and chuck a rug on. Rugs are so decent these days that they dry off inside them pretty quick :)
 
Well... some will say no, and some will say it's ok... if it were me, I'd have to take a towel and get the worst off then rug. Rugs these days are very breathable and I've rugged unclipped horses in the driving snow as they were shivering and they were all dry as a bone the next day (thanks Rambo Wug!). If you've clipped them, you do have this horrible duty to become their coat from now on :D...

For the last few years, I've bowed to nature and stopped rugging and competing in winter. Especially as winters are just not what they used to be!! Just not worth it, doesn't suit my life to worry about rugs tbf and I just wait until spring... only 20 weeks away :D
 
Thanks guys, I would normally leave a light no fill type on during the day but it was very mild (they were only clipped last week) and I got caught out :o
Will drag them into the field shelter and towel dry snd then chuck a rug on...poor girls, I do feel guilty.
 
I rug wet horses with no problems at all. Rugs are breathable now a days and they soon dry off underneath. I personally don't towel dry as you do inadvertently move the wet down the hair shafts to the bottom where they are actually dry, this ends up getting the skin wet which is more likely to cause a chill.
 
NealaTorin said:
I rug wet horses with no problems at all. Rugs are breathable now a days and they soon dry off underneath. I personally don't towel dry as you do inadvertently move the wet down the hair shafts to the bottom where they are actually dry, this ends up getting the skin wet which is more likely to cause a chill.
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Well it will if you rub 'em down like some sort of maniac. Not so if you soak up some of the moisture as most people might do.
 
I took his neck off at lunch as it was supposed to be dry all day ..... its rained here ALL afternoon and evening!! Ive left it off purely as its only a neck, he isn't clipped and its not going below freezing tonight!
Towel dry, chuck it on. They will be ok .
 
tallyho! said:
Well it will if you rub 'em down like some sort of maniac. Not so if you soak up some of the moisture as most people might do.
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Quite, though sadly whenever I've seen horses been towel dried it is often like a maniac, I wasn't meaning anyone here does on the thread but I've certainly seen it plenty :-)
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
Arrrggghh got to go to horses shortly and we unrugged them this morning as it was mild...now persisting it down so they're going to be soaked!!! They both have irish type clips and its due to be pretty cold tonight. Will it hurt to rug them up? They live out....nightmare :(
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They wont die if you put a rug on a wet horse, in fact i bet in a short time the body warmth and heat will warm them up and they will dry in no time.
 
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Cortez said:
Erm, horses are actually waterproof you know: as long as they are warm (rug) then they will dry out under the rug. You can also ride them when they are wet - no idea why people don't (I do).
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Because rugs never used to be breathable. If you put a rug on a wet horse it would still be wet in the morning, which is why we used to thatch with straw.

With modern rugs I wouldn't hesitate.
 
TuscanBunnyGirl said:
I've always been told its because tack etc will rub?
also...mine have normally found a seriously muddy spot to roll in by the time they're damp
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but their tack doesn't rub when they get sweaty, or at least if it does, then it doesn't fit ;) What's the difference? :)

I also ride wet horses, I don't like it because I don't like getting wet! but they aren't remotely bothered.
 
milliepops said:
but their tack doesn't rub when they get sweaty, or at least if it does, then it doesn't fit ;) What's the difference? :)

I also ride wet horses, I don't like it because I don't like getting wet! but they aren't remotely bothered.
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I've never really put that much thought into it but this is possibly because, like you, I dont like getting wet so don't tend to ride them in the rain :P It's just something I was taught when I was younger and it's kinda just stuck in my head
 
meleeka said:
Because rugs never used to be breathable. If you put a rug on a wet horse it would still be wet in the morning, which is why we used to thatch with straw.

With modern rugs I wouldn't hesitate.
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Not correct, the true canvas with wool linings were far better for allowing a horse to dry off and wool is great at insulating. We would often turn out wet/sweaty horses after night lessons, they were always dry in the morning
 
TuscanBunnyGirl said:
I've always been told its because tack etc will rub?
also...mine have normally found a seriously muddy spot to roll in by the time they're damp
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Tack will only rub if there is mud in the coat, if mud is too wet to brush off, sponge it off and then rub with a towel.
It's never bothered me riding in the rain, to be honest you wouldn't get to ride much if you didn't ride in the rain, and that was why those gross stinky riding macs existed. Never bothered much with mine, just got wet.
 
TuscanBunnyGirl said:
I've never really put that much thought into it but this is possibly because, like you, I dont like getting wet so don't tend to ride them in the rain :P It's just something I was taught when I was younger and it's kinda just stuck in my head
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Lol I wish I didn't have to ride in the rain :D no lights on the school so this time of year have to make the most of daylight, whatever the weather is doing. I think there are lots of old 'rules' like this, where perhaps it was true once, but equipment, knowledge and husbandry have moved on so they are no longer relevant.
 
Tnavas said:
to be honest you wouldn't get to ride much if you didn't ride in the rain.
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I'm learning ;) I've been back in the UK for 3 years now and the first winter I didnt know what to do! last winter I did man up a bit and even bought some waterproof/thermal chaps! :O so I'm definitely getting there haha Though I'm currently laid up with a broken knee...as soon as I can I'll be getting back on even if its -100 sleet snow and hurricanes ;)
 
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