If your horse is pasture boarded or you just turned him out before a downpour, you might be asking yourself if it’s OK to leave him out in the rain.
The short answer is yes, it is perfectly fine to leave a horse outside when it’s raining—as long as you keep a few things in mind. We’ll review those here so you can have peace of mind during spring showers.
What’s the Temperature?
The ambient temperature is one of the biggest deciding factors in whether to leave your horse out in the rain. For example, a light pop-up shower on a warm summer day isn’t likely to bother your horse. He might prefer to continue grazing with his friends than return to his stall.
If the temperature is cool, such as in the fall or spring, consider equipping your horse with a waterproof rain sheet. These sheets are designed for horses being turned out in such conditions. This way, your horse won’t get soaked and chilly. In near-freezing temperatures, also make sure your horse has voluntary access to a shelter so he doesn’t become both wet and cold.
Related Reading: How Cold Is Too Cold for Horses?
Is Shelter Available?
Horses’ coats are waterproof to an extent. That natural waterproofing, however, isn’t effective during prolonged periods of heavy rain. For this reason, give your horse access to some type of shelter he can use to escape the rain. It could be a run-in shed or just a stand of trees. Then, if your horse starts to feel uncomfortable or the rain persists, he can choose to seek shelter.
Shelter is especially critical during thunderstorms because lightning strikes to horses can be life-threatening. If you know there’s a chance of severe weather, it might be a better idea to keep your horse inside.
Beware of Rain-Related Health Concerns
If you do choose to leave your horse out in the rain, it’s important to check for rain-related issues often.
Some horses, for instance, are prone to skin conditions, such as rain rot and scratches, that can be caused by excessive moisture exposure.
Hoof health is another consideration. This is because wet-dry cycles and excessive moisture can put horses at risk of developing problems such as thrush or white line disease. Wet, muddy conditions can also cause shod horses to lose shoes.
If you know your horse is prone to any of these skin or hoof issues, you might avoid leaving him out in the rain for prolonged periods. Performing regular, thorough checks of your horse’s skin and hooves, especially when they have been out in the rain, is key to catching and treating any of these potential issues early.
Another reason to give your horse a once-over is because they’re more likely to slip when running around in slick grass and mud during or after a rain. Horses with pre-existing lameness or neurologic conditions or older horses that can injure themselves might not be good candidates for staying outside in the rain.
Take-Home Message
Consider all these factors before deciding whether to leave your horse in the rain. Get to know your horse’s preferences and behaviors in the rain. Also keep a close eye on his skin, hooves, and health. At the end of the day, your horse is probably perfectly content to be out grazing in the rain.
Related Reading: How To Decide Between a Stall, Pasture, or Both for Your Horse
Sarah Welk Baynum attended Otterbein University for Equine Business & Facility Management and has spent many years working various jobs in the equine industry, including as a veterinary technician. Sarah is a Columbus, Ohio-based freelance writer and published equestrian fiction author. She also actively competes in show jumping and eventing with her two mares: a spicy Warmblood named Tilly and an equally spicy OTTB named Letty.
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