Horse Hates the Rain

[Boomdiata]

I have a new horse that I bought from a sunnier part of my state. I have found out that he HATES working in the rain. We do have a very small, covered arena for the winter but the footing is awful and it’s often full of riding students. Also, I’d like my horse to be a solid citizen even when it’s raining. When it rains, he tucks his head, pinches his mouth and then will try to stop, spin and rear. I’ve only been working him on the ground with this (I’m too old for this crap under saddle) and though I got him to quit trying to spin, rear and stop…he still was all hunched up and not relaxed. Will this just take time to work through? Any suggestions besides just keep working him whenever it’s raining? I’ve never had a horse who feels so strongly about hating rain!

p.s. I live in the PNW where it rains pretty much all the time for ten months.

Thank you!!

[KittyinAus]

My horse really hates rain too. So hoping that a bunch of wonderful folks come up with solutions.

[TWH_Girl]

Well, I don’t like being out on the rain working myself so I don’t do it. How is the horse outside in pasture when it’s raining? Or is he always stalled? What kind of rain are we talking about-a light mist or sprinkle, or outright downpour?

[Scribbler]

I expect if you leave him on pasture for the winter he will get used to it. Though he may also get rain rot.

[Boomdiata]

He’s in a stall with a run and gets turned out every day into a pasture with no shelter. When he’s out, he just keeps his head down and grazes. He seems to do okay with misting, but anything heavier than that and he throws a tantrum. I don’t expect he’ll ever like the rain - but not cool to throw a hissy fit whenever it rains. I’m not a huge fan either, but with no good covered space and living in a place where it rains a lot, it seems like something we should both get used to.

[enjoytheride]

My trainer says ride in the rain more. My mare stands out in her field in the rain all the time when she can’t come in. She turns her but to the wind and puts her head down. She has a giant rearing spinning meltdown when she has to be ridden in the rain. The solution is to actively plan rides when it is raining and establish that this is the time for working.

[candyappy]

I have never had a horse who enjoys being rained on under saddle. Pasture? No problem. I don’t ride in the rain so it isn’t an issue with me.

With enough rides in the rain I am thinking your horse will eventually be desensitized.

[GreyDes]

I had one who absolutely hated the rain. He was out 24/7 and hated being wet both in the field and under saddle. A quarter sheet over his rump made a huge difference when I rode in the rain.

[Scribbler]

@Boomdiata

He’s in a stall with a run and gets turned out every day into a pasture with no shelter. When he’s out, he just keeps his head down and grazes. He seems to do okay with misting, but anything heavier than that and he throws a tantrum. I don’t expect he’ll ever like the rain - but not cool to throw a hissy fit whenever it rains. I’m not a huge fan either, but with no good covered space and living in a place where it rains a lot, it seems like something we should both get used to.

My mare has lived her whole life in the PNW. She has lived out on winter pasture with little shelter, kept her head down grazing, and survived just fine.

But if she is in the holding pen or turnout arena and a down pour starts when I am within sight, do I ever get an earful from her!

Also she can be OK with a certain level of rain on the trail but omg wtf my ears are getting wet stupid human!!! if she’s asked to do actual arena work in the same level of rain.

So to some extent its situational.

[AshleyandAnnabel]

I have a mare that HATES the rain too. She does the same things, pinched nose, pinned ears, tail swishing violently, stomping, kicking, bucking. I had to leave a vet check once because we were getting a flash flood at a ride and she wouldn’t stand still for the vet. I don’t have any solutions though and I’ve owned her for 10 years.

[AKB]

It is time to find a couple of weeks when it is supposed to rain daily, and pay a trainer to ride him in the rain. Then, you will know if this is going to be an easy fix. If not, he might just not be the right horse for you. Buy an Irish horse. Most of them love the rain.

[clanter]

oh wait until the rain turns into sleet or freezing rain, just regular old rain then becomes welcomed

We did a lot of competitive trail and often the early season rides had to endure some form of harsh weather conditions, but the sleet was the worse followed by the cold rains… just really made everything and everybody miserable

[Boomdiata]

I think having a trainer ride him in the rain is probably my next step. I have been doing groundwork with him in the rain, but haven’t gotten on him. Lucky for me, we’re headed for the time of year when finding multiple weeks of rain shouldn’t be a problem. Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. And yes to an Irish horse! I feel like horses from Ireland and Britain get ridden ALL THE TIME in the rain!! Of course, my budget isn’t really at ‘import level’ yet. Need to work on that…

[sandylyons]

My horse is Irish - lived out 24/7 in the West of Ireland until 5yo when I bought her last year and brought her to live in a wet part of the UK. She HATES being ridden in the rain - the poooor princess - drops her head, won’t listen, shakes her ears, winces at every step, ducks sideways, she’s a total PITA… so much for being used to the elements! She also doesn’t like to get her feet wet - so she’s made to walk through every puddle available!

(edit: just rhought, it must be the German half of her that objects so strongly to the insult of being ridden in foul weather)

[RedHorses]

My drama King used to pitch a fit about being ridden in the rain. He still dislikes it, but knows he has to behave now. I can’t recommend my solution though - it was totally unexpected and not something I would want to do on purpose.

He was fussing about the rain in his face one day and I dismounted and put him on the longe. The fussing continued until he hit a slick spot and his feet went out from under him. When he got back up (he was fine) he was more attentive to me and less concerned about the rain. It wasn’t a full fix, but with further work in the rain he’s come to accept that rain happens.

​​​​One thing that seemed to help was starting to ride in a gap in the rain. When he was already working and it started to rain he was less fussy and could be refocused more easily. Most of my rain rides were in the summer and having his Cashel Comfort Ears on seemed to make it easier for him too. I think the rain going into his ears bothered him.

[TMares]

I have one who hides his chin in his chest when it rains. And yes, he lives outside. The others are all meh and the poor guy is standing there ‘in a frame.’