Wet weather riding

A

aajk

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I’m very much a fair weather rider BUT this year will be different, I’ve got goals to work towards (rather than being a happy hacker) and this means riding in all weathers.

Would be grateful for any tips/routines please? Any specific clothing suggestions? Has anyone tried the waterproof thermatex exercise sheet?

I just picture getting off and I’m drenched and cold along with pony, it makes me anxious ? Yes I’m soft but I’m trying!
 
I'm sure people will come along with good suggestions. I found softshell breeches pretty good in cooler wet weather when I was rehabbing one winter and couldn't miss a day. but I hate proper waterproofs, can't stand slippery fabric or rustling!

Other than that, the biggest thing is your state of mind ;) I find the thought of riding in the rain much worse than the reality. once you get going I find it easier to crack on.

I keep some dry clothes in the car all winter so I have something to change into if I get soaked but still have jobs to do. On the whole a healthy horse will dry out and warm up fairly quickly with a good rug and some forage so I don't feel particularly bad about them!
 
I have never not ridden (or lunged whatever) because of the weather I don't think and it is exceptionally rare that I get drenched/frozen etc. In fact I'd say the greater problem is getting too hot sometimes in the summer. I may change plans by reference to the weather forecast, ground conditions or daylight hours but something is usually doable without too much discomfort! No idea why you would need a waterproof exercise sheet to be honest! Other than for hacking in walk or for the first 10 mins or so of a school session if it is less than about 5 degrees, I see no need for an exercise sheet, if you are working effectively, they will get hot and warm horses dry easily. They won't dissolve. I'm assuming you have UK weather?
 
I tend to exercise from the ground rather than ride in wet winter weather using a lunge rug on the horses. Unfortunately I won't do either in driving rain or sleet as the horses get uncomfortable when trying to face into the rain/sleet. High wind isn't good either although if push comes to shove I'll go out in it. Can't do anything if there is snow on the ground as it simply balls under their feet.
 
Yeah I’m in the UK, you’d think I’d be used to the weather after 30 odd years of it but I really struggle with being wet! It’s stupid when I’m out in it daily, lol.

I think milliepops is right - it’s very much a state of mind! I just need to power through and get on with it.
 
I'm in the UK and I get drenched all the time. This is partly because I'm an optimistic idiot who doesn't like waterproofs, so will generally presume the best of the weather until the point at which I'm already drenched and frozen. I have a rain jacket (a super thin one, I wear it over a hoodie to distance myself from freaky waterproof fabric), and a pair of rain legs which are waterproof thigh coverings. I also throw in ear warmers on my riding hat, racing goggles and a scarf, and I'm good to go. I'd ditch the scarf/goggles for arena work, but hacking out when it's wet and windy, I find it infuriating not to be able to see for it in my eyes.
 
Wet is fine, once you have got started I don't tend to notice it and the peak of my riding hat seems to keep my face relatively dry. I have a couple of quarter sheets, one is just rainproof and the other is fleece lined so warm but they usually come off if I'm schooling as soon as Rose has warmed up a bit. Now very high wind is another matter, I really don't like riding in that.
 
I ride in all weathers, on exposed downs. More so at the moment as I am doing rehab.

I wear winter breeches – they are waterproof, breathable, windproof and fleece lined. (I like Pikeur Luguana winter breeches, come up on ebay second hand cheaply).

I have base layers, a neck fleece neck warmer, a Musto riding jacket, and Mac Wet climatic gloves (they aren’t waterproof but are warm with good grip).

Horse is full clipped, and has 1 or 2 exercise sheets.

I have a Catago quarter sheet (like a thermatex) and an equafleece fluorescent that I put on top. It is an amazing waterproof breathable fleece.

I use both when v windy / cold / wet. And one when warmer.

I also have a series of old towels in stable to dry the worst off horse.

I can ride in heavy rain, untack throw cooler on horse. Rub horse with towels (where rug goes only) and put tack way change shoes, and horse dry enough to rug up and turn out.

I don’t tend to get wet inside my clothes, aside from my gloves. But everything gets wet outside and needs hanging over heat to dry.

My horse is fairly wind proof, needs to be riding on open downs in winter!
 
The worst bits for me were the cold, wet hands and the cold, wet knees. Once I had decent waterproof riding gloves and a long riding coat (a short coat and a riding skirt would have been an option too) it was much more pleasant. :)
 
TotalMadgeness said:
I tend to exercise from the ground rather than ride in wet winter weather using a lunge rug on the horses. Unfortunately I won't do either in driving rain or sleet as the horses get uncomfortable when trying to face into the rain/sleet. High wind isn't good either although if push comes to shove I'll go out in it. Can't do anything if there is snow on the ground as it simply balls under their feet.
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This ^^

Mine isn't rugged so wet weather means lunging.
Unsafe hacking conditions means the school is fine and we carry on.
 
I ride in all weathers to keep my horse fit enough for hunting. My horse is fully clipped and I ride before work in the morning so my Mark Todd hi-viz waterproof exercise sheet is a necessity. If it's really raining I wear my Musto Suffolk coat which I bought used from ebay and it's worth every penny. I do have waterproof sealskinz gloves but they are too thick to ride in so I use Macwets even though they aren't waterproof. I always wear a fleece neck tube in winter too although again not waterproof. I make sure I'm warm with thermal base layer tops under a fleece top and Musto snugs/Musto fleece lined breeches. If I'm warm I can cope with wet.
 
Leandy said:
No idea why you would need a waterproof exercise sheet to be honest! Other than for hacking in walk or for the first 10 mins or so of a school session if it is less than about 5 degrees, I see no need for an exercise sheet, if you are working effectively, they will get hot and warm horses dry easily. They won't dissolve. I'm assuming you have UK weather?
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i use a waterproof exercise sheet in wet/cold weather for 2 reasons:

1 - it's hi-viz and in overcast weather it's essential that you are seen on the roads and drivers can be more surprised to see a horse out.
2. it is quicker to dry off the shoulders and neck of a horse than the big muscles over the back so can get them into a dry breathable turnout for them to have some field-time after they've been ridden.

Still use one schooling as it makes warm-up and cool-down more comfortable for the horse and with a wraparound then one can always remove it if working extremely hard - though to be frank if the weather is really grim then hard work is usually for as short a time as possible for most horse/rider combinations........
 
I use a Hi-vis waterproof exercise sheet if it's raining, not because he'd be cold, but for visibility and to keep his quarters dry so I can put his outdoor rug straight back on (lives out 24/7/365). Saves a lot of time! Before I bought the sheet I would have to put a cooler on w/waterproof over the top, then go down a couple of hours later to change rugs. Also, lightweight outdoor rugs are incredibly handy when it's wet and warm, keeps them dry and clean(ish) without getting too hot.
 
catkin said:
i use a waterproof exercise sheet in wet/cold weather for 2 reasons:

1 - it's hi-viz and in overcast weather it's essential that you are seen on the roads and drivers can be more surprised to see a horse out.
2. it is quicker to dry off the shoulders and neck of a horse than the big muscles over the back so can get them into a dry breathable turnout for them to have some field-time after they've been ridden.

Still use one schooling as it makes warm-up and cool-down more comfortable for the horse and with a wraparound then one can always remove it if working extremely hard - though to be frank if the weather is really grim then hard work is usually for as short a time as possible for most horse/rider combinations........
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Exactly this....

I don't lunge very often, but its a useful option if its raining to avoid expensive tack getting saturated.

If hacking, I will use a long coat, or else full chaps and a waterproof saddle cover. Plus an exercise sheet.

FIona
 
There is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing!

Always keep a spare set of clothes - especially socks!!!! In your car. There is nothing worse than soggy feet!

It depends what you are doing as to what you want to wear and won't get too hot in.

I ride out in all weathers and today, although mild for the time of year I am NOT getting chillblanes again! I have on:

Leather jod boots
Half chaps
Waterproof socks
Knee high socks
Thin thermals (they have Harry Potter designs all over them!)
Skinny jeans
Horseware H2O waterproof trousers (that aren't even shower proof let alone waterproof!) But they act as an air/condensation layer.
Farmer gummies - if raining, not if its dry but cold
I also have disposable feet warmers that stick to your socks for cold cold days.

Top half:
Base layer
Thin fleece with a half neck
Body protector
Musto coat (the boss finally got us decent EG branded jackets!)
Snood
Thin gloves - SSG racing ones with a pair of cheap fingerless gloves on top. On cold cold days I pop a pair of those disposable hand warmers between the gloves.

I do have goggles but I don't tend to pull them down very often. But if your getting some get tinted/smoked ones so your not blinded by the snow or sun depending on time of year.
 
Elf On A Shelf said:
There is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing!

Always keep a spare set of clothes - especially socks!!!! In your car. There is nothing worse than soggy feet!

It depends what you are doing as to what you want to wear and won't get too hot in.

I ride out in all weathers and today, although mild for the time of year I am NOT getting chillblanes again! I have on:

Leather jod boots
Half chaps
Waterproof socks
Knee high socks
Thin thermals (they have Harry Potter designs all over them!)
Skinny jeans
Horseware H2O waterproof trousers (that aren't even shower proof let alone waterproof!) But they act as an air/condensation layer.
Farmer gummies - if raining, not if its dry but cold
I also have disposable feet warmers that stick to your socks for cold cold days.

Top half:
Base layer
Thin fleece with a half neck
Body protector
Musto coat (the boss finally got us decent EG branded jackets!)
Snood
Thin gloves - SSG racing ones with a pair of cheap fingerless gloves on top. On cold cold days I pop a pair of those disposable hand warmers between the gloves.

I do have goggles but I don't tend to pull them down very often. But if your getting some get tinted/smoked ones so your not blinded by the snow or sun depending on time of year.
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Bloody hell, by the time I'd got that lot on I'd need to lie down for a rest!
 
oldie48 said:
Bloody hell, by the time I'd got that lot on I'd need to lie down for a rest!
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It's a good job I have a strong bladder! Going for a pee simply doesn't happen between lots ???

Jacket up, Waterproofs down, jumper up, trousers down, base layer up, thermals down, pants down. And reverse! Pants up, thermals up, base layer down, trousers up, jumpers down, waterproofs up, jacket down ???
 
I don't mind riding in the rain, so long as I set out prepared. I use a high viz fleece rug on the horse, which is surprisingly waterproof and I put it over the saddle and fasten with a sursingle, and the horse has a high viz breastplate.
I have full length leather chaps which are more or less weatherproof, a decent Dublin coat and waterproof gloves. The gloves are great. I used to be completely waterproof except for soggy hands, I think they are Sealskin and I don't find them too thick for riding.
 
aajk said:
I’m very much a fair weather rider BUT this year will be different, I’ve got goals to work towards (rather than being a happy hacker) and this means riding in all weathers.

Would be grateful for any tips/routines please? Any specific clothing suggestions? Has anyone tried the waterproof thermatex exercise sheet?

I just picture getting off and I’m drenched and cold along with pony, it makes me anxious ? Yes I’m soft but I’m trying!
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It's February.
From now on in its going to be nice. So you won't get wet, it will rain afterwards.
Positive thinking and all that.
 
I bought some of the Decathlon waterproof breeches after seeing then recommended on here. I think £40 and they've been just the job for me with waterproof jacket and exercise sheet (walk only rehab) - though I don't do heavy heavy rain as my horse gets too miserable. You can even wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean them between washes ?
 
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