Tacking up a wet horse

[teddyt]

I wouldn't advise a synthetic saddle, having had two and had horses with sore backs.

Off topic but its not what a saddle is made of that makes the back sore- its how it fits!

 

[Steorra]

As a one off it would probably be okay, but as a rule it's not a great idea. Ever put on shoes with wet feet and noticed how they suddenly seem to rub / be uncomfortable everywhere?

Could always ride bareback

 

[lannerch]

I never do it and if I think it's going to be raining before a ride I put a rainsheet on my horse when she is dry.

One of my horses is coloured, her back is white & her skin is pink. She suffers with lumps,bumps,scabs,rainscald - any skin related issue you care to mention! My vet told me not to tempt fate by tacking her when her back is wet because the skin is softer if it has been wet for a while, and it is much easier for bacteria etc to enter her pores and cause a problem. i think part of the issue is that it is difficult to groom a wet horse thoroughly and also if a numnah is not newly washed it will harbour some dirt.

It makes perfect sense to me I'm afraid so it is something I always avoid doing - no matter what the circumstances. My other horse's skin is nowhere near as sensitive but I don't tack her up wet either - maybe I'm just a bit over protective

mine has very sensitive skin too, if he is overugged which at this time of year would include wearing a lightweight he comes out in a rain scald kind of rash all over very itchy.
Never had a problem though after tacking up when wet. As long as he is clean where is the problem.
The temperature here at the moment means cold muscles are not the problem overheating on the other hand is.

Surely when they sweat the bacteria can enter the pores just as easily

 

[JenTaz]

i dont see why not, when i was younger and helped at a riding school every weekend ponies and mares came in from the field, were tacked up when needed if they were wet they couldnt get brushed but they still got ridden after all its only a bit of water, with taz i just use the sweat scrapper to make sure he's not got too much excess on him

 

[sonjafoers]

Surely when they sweat the bacteria can enter the pores just as easily[/QUOTE]

Yes you're probably right but i think the point my vet was making is that if a horse has been in the rain for a few hours then the skin will be softened before the tack goes on, and is therefore making it easier for bacteria to enter.

A back that is wet from sweat isn't usually soaking for a few hours (for example) and is therefore less likely to cause a problem.