what do you do?

parsley

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My boy is out during the day and I finish work and can get there for about 5 oclock to ride. The problem is that with all this rain he is always wet when I get there and so I haven't ridden this week as by the time he has dried out it is getting too late and I have to go home and do some work in the evening. I don't like the idea of putting a saddle on him while he is wet as he also rolls in the mud so he is filthy as well.

I was thinking about putting a lightweight turnout on so he is dry underneath - I just wondered what the rest of you do?
 
My horse wears a lightweight turnout for the reasons you've described. But I've ridden wet horses - as long as you use a saddlecloth of some description, I think you should be okay.
 
I am ashamed to say that I also avoid putting a saddle cloth on him when he is dirty and wet as it is a lovely new numed wool one and I don't want to spoil it
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A light turnout will help but so long as the numnah is clean and a fluffy type it won't harm him at all.
Where this idea of not riding a wet horse comes from I haven't a clue, their back dries off with the heat from the numnah and they are no different to if they are sweaty! (unless it's thick mud or grit)
Our riding school ponies often came in wet and in 12 seasons never had back problems of any sort..
Are you sure it's not the rider who doesn't like rain?
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No really its not me!!!!!
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OK I'm not overkeen
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But the trouble is that he is covered in wet mud as well - Would I be better off sponging the mud with water off and then riding?
 
Is there anyone who can bring him in for you about an hour before you arrive at the yard so he can dry off and you can just brush the mud off?
 
Not really - I don't like to ask as people are busy themselves and its difficult for me to find the time to return this sort of favour
 
I ride in the mornings so Bert has a lightweight on at night to keep him dry.

At the moment though he has it on 24/7 and I haven't ridden this week as it is far to windy and lashing down.

I will not ride if he is wet, but that is my personal preference. As we are happy hackers I am never in a situation where I have to do this.
 
Alee comes in during the day on the days she is worked so that when I get to her after work she is clean and dry ready for riding / lunging / long reining. She does have a light weight on when out overnight though so this does limit the amount of dirt / grime she has on her. When the weather is warmer though she will be out overnight with nothing on.
 
either try a lightweight rug or just wash off any mud and stick a saddlecloth/numnah on.
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no difference to them sweating while you're riding...
 
Mine have L/W's on if there is mud or rain forecast. I can't abide riding dirty grey horses though, so it's more a cosmetic thing for me
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Lightweight rug on for same reasons, then can ride anytime, but this weather is supossed to continue til end of May and then June it is gonna be like the Sahara Desert weather - so get some cantering in now whilst the ground is soft.....
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Thanks for the advice everyone! He was covered in dry mud today so I just groomed it off but if I am sure its going to rain all day I'll put a LW rug on him and just wash him off first on the other days
 
I have H in a light weight rug for this reason, I hat the thought of putting saddle on him when wet. Also I wait for him to dry before putting rug back on.

I just think it must be unconfirtable - just my view !
 
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