Should You Leave Your Horse Out In The Rain?

Depending on where you live, you might be experiencing a lot of rain! The previous year has been one of the wettest on record! Rainy weather can definitely impact your turnout schedule. It can be hard to know whether your horse should be stalled or free to roam.

Assess the Individual

Each horse is different and should be treated as such. Some may prefer the comforts of a cozy stall, while others will lose their mind in one. Begin by assessing whether your horse likes being indoors or outdoors. If you have a weaver or cribber, they might do better out in the rain. However, if you have a sensitive horse that spooks easily it may not be worth the chance of injury. Mud can be slippery!

Beware of Fungus

Wet weather can cause all sorts of fungus and hoof infections. Some horses are especially susceptible to chronic skin conditions like rain rot or mud fever. When your horse spends extended periods of time in rainy weather they could develop some of these painful and sometimes contagious conditions.

If you don’t want to keep them stalled, you’ll have to get creative. A waterproof sheet can help protect their bodies.

Evaluate the Severity

When rain is in the forecast, always check ahead of time to see if it’s a gentle rain or a severe storm. Keeping your horse out in cold rain can cause them to catch a chill, so monitor the temperature too.

Your horse probably prefers to be outside, even in the rain. Keep an eye on them and the weather report to make the best decision!