Stupid question - rain sheet for exercising?

sandi_84

sandi_84

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My sharer was asking yesterday what I would do if it was chucking down rain. Would I exercise or not? I said that if it was a light shower yes I'd ride but if it was going to bucket down for the whole night I'd not because there would be no way of drying the horse off afterwards, I have no stable or field shelter so couldn't put his fleece on him to dry him out.

Then I had a small epiphany, (here comes the stupid question) can you get an exercise sheet that you can ride in and is waterproof? I've never seen one so I'm not sure :/

If you had one would you ride in it in fairly heavy rain?
 
It is summer they will not need to dry off if wet just turn out as usual, it is before you ride that is more of a problem putting a saddle on a wet horse. You can get waterproof exercise sheets but at the moment they will fry with one on and that is far worse than getting wet in the rain, turning out a sweaty horse into the field in the pouring rain is more harmful than an already wet one.
 
Aye it's more for when the weather turns again :)
I wouldn't bother with one just now because even if it were raining it tends to not last long atm and as you say they are hot hot horses just now :/

So it's more for when autumn comes around, It'll be cooler and what with it being scotland I can garuntee that it will bucket down ;)

Just had a wee look online and there are rain sheets out there but obviously the sizing is different than a rug because it's not covering the whole horse, so say for my boy who takes a 5'9" rug should I be going for the 4'6" exercise sheet?
 
yes you can get waterproof exercise sheets, I have one from Robinsons many yrs old and it was called a dry rider sheet! you can over your legs with it as well, but its cr ap if you do that! best to just loop under the saddle
 
I've got a waterproof hi viz sheet, I could only use it in deepest winter though as its so warm.
 
Thanks everyone, any idea on how to measure for one to make sure I've got the right size?

I would assume whithers to dock? :o
 
I only use one when horse is clipped and in coldest weather. Warning: don't use when windy, have had it blow over my head - and as you know scotland gets pretty windy...

I have to admit, I often turn my lad out still damp. Modern rugs are all breathable so condensation doesn't build up under rug, and if rug is thick then they stay warm... And I ride in any amount of rain, were only limited by gales or thunder...

And an exercise sheet only really keeps the quarters dry anyway, even with no wind blowing it up inside sheet, so tbh I don't bother with mine for waterproofing, just for warmth in the snow when hacking really
 
As above, modern rugs (pref with lining) are fine to put on a horse that is a little bit damp IMO, I was a bit cautious about it at first but the moisture is wicked into the lining and evaporates out, all horses are bone dry and I have put one on a very wet pony when she was shivering due to unexpected weather turns, she was fine and dry within an hour.

You could use an exercise sheet when its cold and wet yes, I might get one for winter as I must admit it does sway my decision :-)
 
khalswitz said:
I only use one when horse is clipped and in coldest weather. Warning: don't use when windy, have had it blow over my head - and as you know scotland gets pretty windy...

I have to admit, I often turn my lad out still damp. Modern rugs are all breathable so condensation doesn't build up under rug, and if rug is thick then they stay warm... And I ride in any amount of rain, were only limited by gales or thunder...

And an exercise sheet only really keeps the quarters dry anyway, even with no wind blowing it up inside sheet, so tbh I don't bother with mine for waterproofing, just for warmth in the snow when hacking really
Click to expand...

:eek: over your head! Can't have been fun getting yourself sorted with that flapping about your ears! Hope your horse was sensible enough to ignore it :/

I turn mine out in their rugs if they have just been dampened with the rain as I know they would dry out quickly, but I'd worry about increasing the chances of rain scald by rugging him after a soaking :(
I was thinking more of when it's really chucking down, obviously with scotland that is 99% of the time in autumn/winter so I don't want to have to stop riding completely for half the year :(

Last year and the winter before that it wasn't a problem because I was on a yard and had access to either a stable or a covered stall that he could dry off in before turn out but since moving to the field I'm having to re-think a fair few things - wouldn't change it for the world though! ;)

The thought behind this crazy idea was that if I could at least keep the rain of his back and quarters (he's turned out in standard necks so his neck would get wet anyway) at least that way in the colder rainy weather I'd be able to pop his rug on after a ride out to keep him dry and warm. Unfortunately he's not quite man enough to go completely unrugged all year round otherwise I'd not bother at all ;)
 
When it's tipping down in winter, yes I do.
Mines a high-viz mark todd one. As all my riding is on roads/trails as have no school the high viz sheet has a duel purpose of making us visible and keeping him dry. Also when it's tipping down drivers have very poor visibility so it really helps.
 
I also use a mark Todd hi viz sheet for when it's bucketing down. It fits well, doesn't flap around and keeps pony nice and dry. I tend to mainly use it in winter as it has a fleece lining but my pony who is a hot thing never gets overheated in it.
 
Ok definitely going to get one for the nasty weather :)

So should I measure him from whither to dock or is it elsewhere I need to get the measuring tape to?
 
I used to have a mark todd one, it was great. The waterproof one on this link http://www.equestrianclearance.com/...d_exercise_sheets_rugs/index.html#placeholder I prefer the ones that wrap around rather than fit under the saddle - easier to remove partway through a ride (in the school - obv not out hacking!) and also you can fit them just under the stirrup leathers rather than under the saddle flaps so they keep your saddle drier too. A fillet string stops them blowing up!

I vaguely remember the sizing being 18 inches less than a standard rug. Measuring wither to tail should give you a good estimate anyway, its less important that they fit exactly than normal rugs IMO.
 
Weatherbeeta also do a waterproof exercise sheet. http://www.horseland.com.au/weatherbeeta-landa-exercise-sheet-34722.html

I have one and use it on both my 14.3hh and 16hh geldings with no problems. It's lightweight and breathable. It can be put on after your saddle (I don't use the girth to hold it on) so you and easily remove it if/when the rain stops.

Although it is winter here and both are clipped... I don't really use it unless it is bucketing down as I don't find it cold enough. Most of the time when the rain is that heavy, there is also lightning around and I will never ride when there is lightning around. :)
 
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