[kierababy]

Do agree with the wet saddle blanket theory?
Im not really sure that I do. It works to a point but I dont think making the horse totally exhausted and sweaty is doing very much training wise. I have had a trainer suggest it for my mare but I dont think that I need that to happen to make her listen and respect me. So what are your guys ideas about this?

[Chester]

I think you may be misunderstanding the term.

It generally means more work on a regular basis, not riding till the horse is ready to drop.

[Cowgirl1013]

What exactly is the wet saddle blanket theory?

[kierababy]

They way that I was told is riding a horse hard and until they are ready to submit, all sweaty and whatnot supposedly makes them learn better.

I have never heard it as being more work on a regular basis.

[Jenje!]

I think you're taking it too literally. When people around here say things like, "That horse needs a few wet saddle blankets," they mean that the horse needs more miles/experience/work, not to be run into the ground until the blanket is soaked.

[kierababy]

I was told that she needed a wet saddle blanket-meaning literally worked until she was dripping with sweat, to get her mind there. I obviously didnt do it and I wont but that is what I was told.

[kbranch]

Wet saddel blankets make a horse. Not working them into the ground but ridding them. Take your horse out of the arena and make them do a honest days work. A very respectable horseman told me "90% of the problems with horses these days comes from over feeding and not enough work"

[IIIBarsV]

Wet saddel blankets make a horse. Not working them into the ground but ridding them. Take your horse out of the arena and make them do a honest days work. A very respectable horseman told me "90% of the problems with horses these days comes from over feeding and not enough work"

Yep!

But, don't push them so hard that they get injured, exhausted, or dehydrated. If you're going out for a 3 hour ride, even with lots of walking, have a bucket of water handy. Horse needs to stay hydrated.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl1013

What exactly is the wet saddle blanket theory?

What Chester said

Originally Posted by Chester

I think you may be misunderstanding the term.

It generally means more work on a regular basis, not riding till the horse is ready to drop.

Yes, kiera, you're misunderstanding the term. It means hours and hours, over days and weeks and months, in the saddle, actually *working* the horse.

It's not about running them 'til exhaustion. It's not about 2 days a week of 5 hour rides. It's not about anything abusive in that manner. It's about actually training the horse, which means time.

[Cowgirl1013]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

What Chester said

Thanks. She posted while I was writing.

I would agree that putting miles on a horse is great for training. Riding them until they are a sweaty mess that is bound to drop any minute is probably not going to accomplish much.