Wet horse & Putting a saddle on question.

[Spirit of Wales]

As question. Does anyone here have a horse out 24/7 and needs to saddle up when their horse is wet?

I'm lucky enough to be in the position to have mine out 24/7, but bring them into a stable an hour before a ride with an absorbant rug on to dry them out before tacking up.

Just wondered if anyone does tack up wet and if so have they noticed any difference in their horses riding? Does the saddle rub or slip? etc..

Spirit of Wales

[eden]

When I was taught to ride years ago, we were told never to ride a horse when its back is wet?

[anastasia55555]

i have a friend who will never tack up a wet horse.
but plenty of others say put on a rug like u said or towel.
my two are out 24/7 with no rugs at the moment, luckily so far when have wanted to ride they have already dryed out.
i try and dry them off a bit before, but im not that fussy. i mean if they were absolutely soaked through then i prob wudnt ride, unless they dried out well.
damp under saddle doesnt bother me, but i wouldnt tack up soaking wet

[gillmcg]

In my opinion wet is OK - wet and muddy isn't. It's actually recommended that the Suber pad is used wet....

[touchstone]

I was also always taught never to put tack on a wet horse, but as Gillmcg has said suber pads are used damp and I've also heard of some endurance riders wetting their horses backs before saddling.

I have a prolite numnah with drytex lining which seems to absorb moisture very well, although I do prefer to tack up with a dry horse.

[gemmamarygold]

Wet = ok.

wet & muddy = not ok

Marygold gets washed/sloshed during endurance rides and the saddle then goes straight back on if at a vetgate part-way round. No problems so far.....

[rj]

Agree wet OK (think, they come back wet with sweat , right?!).
I would just worry about gritty bits so hose off if muddy.
I used to feed first with a rug on, and faff about, so back dry for grooming & riding about 45mins later

[Gail&Merlin]

I agree, wet is OK although i would towel dry. Dirty, No.. so wash of if dirty and scrap and towel dry

[moo]

i wouldnt ride a horse if it had a wet back i couldnt even tell you why summet inside just says NO!

[iceberg]

I dont ride if Archie is wet - and as he is out 24/7 - thats been a lot of the time lately!
I just feel uncomfortable about tacking him up when he is wet - his numnah might rub, or the girth - so I loose school or do something else instead.

[Karon]

I've always ridden mine with wet backs - they get wet and sweaty if they're working hard and I can't see much difference. Clean, of course, goes without saying but I have no hesitation putting a saddle on a wet clean horse. I've never had any problems, no rubs or anything.

[Suz]

wet and clean is fine by me but only now I have sheepskin lining saddle and girth so the skin can still breathe and dry.

Trust me with an unclipped icelandic if i didn't ride him wet i wouldn't ride all winter! (I now clip him lots tho)

[Yann]

Me neither, if the tack fits and they're clean it's not a problem.

[KoLaTo]

Yip, ride after baths if it's really hot, not bothered about wet backs at all, same as being sweaty, never with muddy backs thou.

[dptc]

I was always taught wet was ok but wet and muddy wasn't