Equestrian rainy day survival guide: Tips and training activities

Sometimes the competition waits for no one, so training in the rain can help you be prepared for challenges you’ll face on show day. We’ve put together a list of benefits to training in the rain and some rainy day activities to help you make the best of the rain.

Benefits of riding in the rain 

Riding in the rain helps your horse get used to wet conditions

When you ride in the rain, your horse experiences unique challenges like wet footing, shiny hooves, and mud flinging up at them. Imagine facing that for the first time as you’re about to go over a huge jump. Pretty disorienting, right? Unless you’ve prepared them for this.

Like many things, practice makes perfect. We’ve written a blog all about the different types of footing you may encounter and how to prepare for each. So, whether it’s slop, muck, Eruofelt, or technical footing, it benefits you to get your horse used to what they might encounter. 

Training in the rain helps nip puddle dodging  in the bud

Horses tend not to like puddles because they can’t see the bottom. With a horse’s eyesight, that puddle could be 6 inches or 6 feet, so understandably, they don’t love taking that risk. When you and your horse first begin riding in the rain, you need to build up trust so they know you aren’t making them take a swim in the middle of your ride.

Stay patient and try to help your horse through a few attempts. Still, sometimes it’s worth counting your losses to build up to the day when your horse takes on every puddle free of fear. 

Riding in the rain is a great way to build your wardrobe

Riding in the rain is a surefire way to learn what gear you really need. For instance, before you try to ride in your own rain jacket, you may not realize that those jackets are not designed for bending in the saddle or reaching for the reins. Equestrian rain jackets like the Penelope Women’s Rainday Waterproof Jacket or the Equine Couture Ladies Linear Horse Rain Full Length Jacket have half zips or vents for easy movement. 

You may also want to grab a piece of rain pants, an often overlooked HUGE improvement to the riding in the rain game. For example, try a pair of Kerrits Women’s Waterproof All Around Rain Pants on for size. They’re designed to be worn over breeches or tights and can be fully unzipped and pulled off without removing boots for a mud-free quick-change.

And don’t forget about your horse. The Equiline Corby Full Neck Waterproof Rain Sheet is a great way to keep them covered from the rain while they’re out of the barn, especially if there’s only a drizzle.

How to keep horses entertained in the rain

When your horse’s long training day in the rain is done, it’s time for some extra time in the stall. Now, we know that hanging out in the stall all day is not as fun as playing in the pasture or rolling in the messy new mud (our horses told us so), but there are a few ways to help your horse enjoy their time in the barn.

Stall toys

While your horse is hanging in his stall, you can help them keep busy and avoid any shenanigans that may result from your horse being bored. One of our favorites is the 12″ Equine Kong Boredom Buster Classic Kit Stall Toy. We love this stall toy! If you’ve got horses that find ways to entertain themselves, this is a great solution! Stuff it with carrots, apples, and treats, then hang. Let the fun begin! 

Indoor activities

A rainy day doesn’t mean you can’t continue training or bonding with your horse. You can use this time for some extra grooming, groundwork exercises, or doing stretching/ therapies. Take your horse on a spa day with the Equestria Sport Grooming Kit. Practice your braiding or practice loading or a new trick.

And at the end of a long day of training in the rain, feel free to take some time off to watch one of our Our Favorite Horse Movies To Stream or listen to our go- to playlist, Horses In Our Favorite Songs.

No matter what the weather, we’re always here to help you and your horse ride safely and happily! Shop rain gear on our website or at any of our three locations.