1. Of a horse, to ride it until a lather of sweat has formed, then put it into the stable without drying it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ride" and "hard." Primarily heard in US. You've got to always make sure let your horse cool down after a race—you don't want ride hard and put her away wet. Judging by all the health issues this horse is dealing with, I'd say the owner was riding him hard and putting him away wet.

2. By extension, to put a lot of strain on some piece of machinery or equipment but fail to maintain or service it as necessary. Used especially in reference to motorcycles. Primarily heard in US. Proper maintenance of your motorcycle is crucial. If you ride it hard and put it away wet, you're going to be paying out the ear for repairs down the line. The new motor on their latest bike is designed to deal with ongoing stress, so even if you are the type of person to ride hard and put it away wet, you should still be able to put in a lot of miles without an issue.

1. Of a horse, ridden until a lather of sweat has formed, then put into the stable without having been dried. (The misuse of "rode" instead of "ridden" is part of the colloquial structure.) Primarily heard in US. You've always got to make sure you let your horse cool down after a race—you don't want her to be rode hard and put away wet. Judging by all the health issues this horse is dealing with, I'd say she was rode hard and put away wet too often.

2. By extension, mistreated, especially through a lack of care or improper use. Primarily heard in US. When I inspected it up close, I could see that the bike was rode hard and put away wet.

3. Physically, emotionally, or mentally exhausted; run down and tired out. Primarily heard in US. You OK, Tom? You're looking rode hard and put away wet. That old-timer must have had a long, tough life, because he looks rode hard and put away wet.