what can happen if my horse is out in the rain?

Rain Rot
Rain rot is a common skin condition in horses that is caused by
moisture on a horse’s skin. Because of this, it is the most common in
areas that get a lot of rain or have very high humidity rates

The condition can look rather serious, but thankfully it’s fairly easy to
treat. Although, it does take some time for a horse’s coat to fill back
in, in the affected areas. Rain rot should be dealt with quickly when it
occurs because it can lead to other infections.

Some horses are more susceptible to rain rot than others. It can be
difficult to know how susceptible a horse might be until they’ve
actually gotten rain rot. Because of this, it’s smart to exercise caution
when caring for a horse that you’re not entirely familiar with to see
how they fair with moderately wet weather conditions.
There are a couple of measures that can be taken to prevent rain rot in
your horse altogether. One of the best preventative methods is to
simply keep their coat clean by brushing them regularly. The next
method is to avoid wetness and moisture altogether, however, this can
prove difficult depending upon the region you’re in.

Hoof Infections
Thrush is a common hoof infection that can occur in a horse’s frog
when their hooves are wet for extended periods of time. At times,
thrush can expose the sensitive tissue of a horse’s hooves, making it
painful for them to walk.

The best way to avoid thrush is to have your horse’s hooves inspected
regularly and ensure that their feet stay dry more than they’re wet.
 Hoof Length 
When the ground is soft and squishy from rain, a horse’s hooves
receive little to no natural trimming, meaning their hooves can quickly
become overgrown. When this is the case, horses become more
susceptible to injury from not being able to balance correctly and
might suffer joint issues.

When it’s the rainy season, check your horse’s hooves regularly to
make certain that they’re not overdue for a trim. You can learn more
about caring for your horse’s hooves in the article I wrote here.

why is bad to put horses away from wet

 Never turn a wet horse out to pasture: when you hose off a hot horse after
exercise, the water actually acts as an insulator, trapping heat in the horse’s body. To
properly and safely cool out a horse, he should be scraped as quickly as possible after
hosing, and if the horse still feels hot, the entire process should be repeated as much as
needed to bring his temperature down to normal. A horse should never be hosed off and
simply left to drip-dry.
 The sun can heat the water on your horse’s body and cause him to overheat: as
above, a thin layer of water left on your hot post-exercise horse, especially in a humid
climate where he may not dry quickly, acts as an insulator and the horse’s body heat can be
trapped. Combine this with hot direct sunlight and you have a recipe for overheating.
 Always scrape your horse and let him dry in the shade: as above, it’s the
scraping-off process that allows the horse to actually cool down. Hand-walking in the shade
or standing in a shaded breezy area if his respiratory rate and pulse have slowed to normal
allows him to dry off and cool down quickly before you turn him back out into the sun,
especially in humid areas where he may not dry off quickly otherwise. Even in high
humidity, scraping does a lot to help expedite the process.

do horses get cold in the rain

As you may have guessed, wet cold is much tougher on horses than dry cold. This is
because of the humidity. Just like us, the wet cold of a rainy winter day can sneak
inside the horse and give it the chills, causing the horse to shiver. On especially
rainy days when it is really coming down, your horse will be happy for a spot of
shelter. It will give them a chance to shake off and get warm. However, it won’t
damage a strong and healthy horse to get out in the rain and stroll around. You
don’t need to worry about them catching a cold or getting sick just because of a
little rain.

In fact, horses enjoy the cold. You will often find the shed or stable empty on days
with light snow, and your horses congregating in the field or strolling about. Their
thick fur coats keep them warm, just like any dog. The only time they are bothered
by the weather is with wet, humid, and penetrating rain. The best thing you can do
in this weather is to provide them shelter, keep them dry, and give them blankets
for warmth. There is no need to keep them in the stable, though. It is important for
your horses to get a lot of fresh air to keep them healthy. A little bit of water won’t
do any harm! If you see your horse shivering, it just means they are keeping warm.
It’s a natural reaction.

what do you do with your horse on a rainy day?

Give Your Horse a Makeover

If bad weather is deterring you from riding, now may be the best time
to clean your horse up. Maybe your horse has become a little scraggly
looking lately; their chin hairs and fetlock have grown out and their
mane is uneven.

Help Your Horse be More Patient When it Comes to Eating Time

A rainy day gives you the perfect opportunity to work with your horse
on being more patient when it comes to eating time. Many horses can
get pushy and aggressive when they see their feed bucket, and this
behavior should be corrected in order to keep you and other handlers
safe.

Deep Clean Your Horse’s Stall

If you’ve been wanting to do a deep clean of your horse’s stall but

haven’t had the time to, a rainy day makes the perfect opportunity to
get this task done. Get your wheelbarrow and pitchfork and get to
work!
why do horses stand still in the rain?

The density of this hair coat, and the direction in which the hair grows, provide a
weather shield so complete that horses can stand in the middle of a storm until
ice forms on their backs, without the skin ever becoming chilled.