You’ve been looking forward to your riding lesson all week, but when you wake up, it’s pouring with rain! Does this mean you can’t ride? Not necessarily! Let’s learn when it’s safe to ride in the rain and when it’s better to stay indoors.
When riding in the rain is fine
Light to moderate rain doesn’t have to stop you from riding. In fact, many ponies don’t mind a bit of drizzle at all! If the conditions are right, riding in the rain can actually be quite fun and helps you become a more confident, experienced rider.
It’s generally safe to ride when:
- The rain is light to moderate (not a heavy downpour)
- There’s no lightning or thunder
- The ground isn’t too slippery or waterlogged
- Visibility is good enough to see clearly
- You have proper waterproof clothing
- Your riding area has good footing
When you should NOT ride
Some weather conditions make riding dangerous, no matter how much you want to ride:
Never ride during thunderstorms. Lightning is extremely dangerous, and you’re at higher risk when you’re the tallest thing around (you on your pony). If you hear thunder, get off immediately and seek shelter. Metal tack and horseshoes can attract lightning.
Avoid riding in heavy downpours. When rain is so heavy you can barely see, it’s not safe. You need to see where you’re going, and your pony needs to see too.
Don’t ride on waterlogged or very slippery ground. If the arena or paddock is flooded or the ground has turned into a mud bath, your pony could slip and fall. This risks injury to both of you.
Skip riding in strong winds and rain combined. High winds can blow debris around, spook ponies, and make it hard to control your pony or hear instructions.
Checking the weather
Before your ride, check:
- Is lightning forecast? (Don’t ride if yes)
- How heavy is the rain? (Light drizzle is okay, heavy rain is not)
- What’s the wind doing? (Gentle breeze is fine, strong gusts are not)
- What does the forecast say for the next hour? (Don’t start if storms are coming)
Checking the ground
Walk around your riding area before mounting:
- Is the footing safe and not too slippery?
- Are there puddles or waterlogged areas to avoid?
- Is the ground still firm enough for safe riding?
In an arena, check if the surface is too wet. Some arena surfaces become slippery when wet, whilst others drain well and stay safe.
What your instructor or parents say
Always listen to your instructor or parents about whether it’s safe to ride. They have more experience judging weather conditions and know your riding area better than you do. If they say it’s not safe, believe them; they’re keeping you safe!
Indoor vs outdoor riding
If your yard has an indoor arena, this is perfect for rainy days! You can ride regardless of the weather (as long as it’s not thundering). Indoor arenas protect you and your pony from rain whilst still allowing you to practice your skills.
If you only have outdoor facilities, you’ll need to be more selective about when you ride in the rain.
Rain can actually be good practice
Riding in light rain helps you become a better, more versatile rider. You’ll learn to:
- Ride in different conditions
- Handle a pony who might be more excited in the rain
- Adjust your riding when the ground is a bit different
- Stay balanced when things are slightly slippery
- Be prepared for anything
Many experienced riders say that learning to ride in various weather conditions makes you much more confident overall!
Listen to your pony
Some ponies absolutely love rain and become quite lively and playful. Others dislike it and might be grumpy or tense. Pay attention to how your pony feels. If they seem particularly unhappy or stressed about the weather, it might be better to postpone your ride.
What if it starts raining during your ride?
If light rain starts whilst you’re already riding, it’s usually fine to continue. However:
If you hear thunder: Get off immediately, loosen your pony’s girth, and lead them quickly to shelter. Don’t stay mounted during a thunderstorm.
If rain becomes very heavy: Head back to the stable at a walk. Don’t rush, as rushing on wet ground increases the chance of slipping.
If your pony becomes worried: If the rain makes your pony nervous or spooky, calmly walk them back to their stable. Your safety comes first.
The bottom line
Light rain doesn’t have to stop you from riding, but safety must always come first. When in doubt, it’s better to skip the ride and do groundwork or pony care instead. There will always be another day to ride, but you only get one chance to stay safe!
Next: What to wear when riding in the rain!
