I’m too wimpy to ride in the rain with nothing to keep me dry. Thus, I’ve lost about a week and a half of riding. So what’s the best rain gear that can still be worn spring/fall in Louisiana? Fleece lined thermal, etc wouldn’t work out too well here.
When I think it will rain but it’s not raining yet, or it’s just raining lightly, I’ll wear my “rainlegs” over my riding tights: http://www.rainlegs.com/en/about.html
These are awesome!
If it’s already raining and I have to ride, like at a competition, I have some older model rain pants from Kerrits but I feel like any thin rain pants with side zippers would work, doesn’t have to be a brand.
Same with the rain jacket. It doesn’t really matter. I have one from REI and one from Kerrits thats a bit longer in the back so more suited to riding.
I would look for a very lightweight rain shell. Make sure it has the armpit zippers for ventilation.
Muddy Creek gear is not lined, it’s waterproof, but it breathes. I’d at least look into it .
I have a northface jacket that I could use on top if DH would ever get it out of the shed. If its long enough.
With the long coats that cover the saddle, how do they work out at a trot and canter?
Two possible suggestions:
I have one of these: http://cowboyoutfitters.com/wyoming-traders-pommel-slicker-fish-slicker.html They work with English or Western saddle.
There is this one, also. http://www.schaefer-ranchwear.com/schaefer-store/mens-ranchwear/mens-outerwear/stockman-slicker-11.html You can button the lower skirt around the legs so that they prevent flapping and will shed water. If you do you might loose some of the protection for saddle, gear, etc.
Or you can try this http://schipperfabrik.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=117_132_201&products_id=449 I have and use one. It’s extremely durable. It is not a “featherweight” item. It completely covers rider, saddle, and gear very effectively. It has snapps along the edge to prevent excessive “flapping” in the wind. It can be used as a ground sheet if you go camping. Very high quality product.
Wind, natural or motion generated, can be an issue. I don’t generally trot or canter in rain (if I even go out in it; if it happens it’s because I’m already there 
). The poncho would be the “flappiest”, the slickers the least (if you’ve snapped them around the legs). Of course that exposes your gear so you’ve to to “name your poison”!!!
Any of these items would be suitable for LA in spring or fall.
G.
Hey, those rainlegs give me an idea for what to do with an old torn waterproof horse blanket …
[QUOTE=Hampton Bay;7409005]
I have a northface jacket that I could use on top if DH would ever get it out of the shed. If its long enough.
With the long coats that cover the saddle, how do they work out at a trot and canter?[/QUOTE]
My Muddy Creek fits over my saddle horn, it’s loose through the body so for trot and canter it’s fine- you can set it behind the horn, too, as needed. I don’t canter in the pouring rain very much 
Oh don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of going out in the pouring rain. But right now even the misting rain is an issue over an hour.
http://www.muddycreek.net/files/yellow%20long2.jpg
The coat isn’t heavy at all, you stay dry under them and it drapes over your saddle, too. They are clumsy to walk in, just FYI.
I have one of the long coats that covers the saddle – it’s fine at a walk, but anything faster and it’s a total PITA. Now that all my tack is synthetic, I don’t care if it gets wet, so I switched to rain pants/jacket. The pants are Kerrits, I think, and the jacket is REI. Works great at all gaits. The pants have Velcro running the entire length of the legs so you can take them off without taking off your shoes, and the inside of the pants don’t get muddy while you’re doing it. Only thing I wish is that they had elastic to go around my shoes so the legs didn’t ride up, but that could be solved if I just got motivated and crafty
