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Discussion on Horse rolled under saddle
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Member:
sbawer1
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 1, 2009 - 10:50 pm:
My 5 yr. old appy gelding was in his first jumper show at our barn today. He was definitely startled by the vast number of people, horses, cars, trailers around. First class he paid a lot of attention to the judges and stopped at a jump. Afterwards as we waited for the next class he was pawing and very impatient. (It was a long wait.) We did the 2nd class - he was pretty good, looking at the judges/onlookers but we finished the course. Then 5 minutes later as we were awaiting the 3rd class he DrOpped and rolled in the dirt warm up ring. He had an odd look on his face (surprised to find he had my pricey saddle on his back or what??) I am concerned he was colicing. After that I removed all tack, spent some time walking about with him, then turned him out to see how he would do. He seemed okay.(?). It was warmer today (upper 50's vs. 30's) and this was his first show, BUT it was a home show....
Why would he do this? Should I be concerned about colic related issues? Is this behavioural? He is a fairly easy horse - doesn't get overly riled usually. He does have personality though. He did not have a temp. He was eating fine tonite and not acting sick. Any thoughts are appreciated.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 1, 2009 - 11:32 pm:
It could be that he was just itchy; if it was warmer than it has been and if he has a heavy coat especially. I was out on a trail ride with a young horse (in fact a prospective buyer was on her!) when all of a sudden she DrOpped and rolled at a sandy spot on the trail! There was nothing wrong with her, it just seemed like a good idea and she was unfazed by the cost of the saddle (or the rider!) who was on her back.
Rolling and itching is kind of a stress reliever, I think, as well as just feeling good. Probably your young fellow just thought he'd had enough and a good roll would feel good and relieve the tension! I hope your saddle survived!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 7:53 am:
Hello SueB,
If he was not sick, he must have wanted to scratch his back.
DrO
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 9:17 am:
Hi, SueB,
The first thing I thought when I read your post last night was "Itchy" or "Colicky (or ulcers)."
I've had horses DrOp and roll under me at different times. It's always been because they were sweating and itchy under saddle, OR because they were feeling very relaxed in the hot sun and were standing on sand.
I was told many years ago, that if my horse lays down to roll when I am on him, "just keep a hold of the reins and step off on the side his legs AREN'T." Not a problem, except that the saddle can get a bit roughed up.
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 10:28 am:
And then there is the horse that absolutely cannot resist rolling in water
Cheryl
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New Member:
etiology
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 11:00 am:
Hi Sue B!
With the various causes of colic and the different degrees of pain, (and a horse's individual threshold for pain) I wouldn't rule it out completely.Your horse's pawing the ground' could have been simple impatience/anxiety or possibly mild colic pain, (or both?)
Many years ago, our Standardbred gelding did the same thing at a show that sequentially resulted in very severe colic. The possibly life-saving advantage was that there was a vet on the grounds that treated him immediately.
It turns out that he was, (and is to this day) very susceptible to colic at a specific combination of barometric pressure, temperature and humidity.
Curious. Has anyone used 'Colicstop?' And if so, what were the results?
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New Member:
etiology
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 11:04 am:
Re: Horses that cannot resist rolling in water.
ROFL! I have to watch that same horse I mentioned, (Able) very closely as anytime we cross water over 4" deep it seems it's 'time for a roll!'
Chuck & Kids
Lady, Able, Sundance, Boss, Rebel & Combustion
( And Nikki )
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 11:48 am:
 Been there, in the water! We had a horse that you couldn't trust near water. He's be down and rolling before you knew what was happening!
Charles' point about colic is good to keep in mind though, especially since your horse was a little stressed with all that was going on. I'd keep an eye on him at his next show. If there is time between classes, I've found it good to let the horse go back to it's stall for a little while. If there isn't a lot of time, I leave the saddle on and tie the horse loose enough so he can reach his water and can stretch out and pee and just relax a little. It seems to help them. Tying next to the trailer with a hay net and water seems to help, too, if there is no stall. It just seems like a little "down time" between classes, when possible, is good for them (and you.)
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 12:35 pm:
All great advice. The itchiness is the first thing that I too thought of having witnessed this, but always good to consider the possibility of colic or discomfort due to equipment.
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Monday, Feb 2, 2009 - 2:58 pm:
Considering the situation my guess would be itchiness or just the general desire to roll after a workout. Do you normally do multiple 'sessions' with this horse, or was the 'class - break - class' an unusual circumstance?
I was recently out with a horse that usually gets a ride followed by turnout to roll. We did a workout in the arena, then took him out to the track to walk to cool out. Instead of staying mentally present, he assumed his work time was over since he left the arena and decided he must be in post-work time which meant he was allowed to roll.
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Member:
warthog
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 - 12:52 am:
It sure can be either itch or belly ache. I had one go down on me after a ride and it was definitely a belly ache because she was normal after one banamine shot. Still don't know what caused the belly ache.
we do have one who will lie down and try to wiggle out of his saddle but then he will also wiggle out of his blanket too. they are soo funny. hope it was just an itch.
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 - 11:21 am:
Warthog, nice profile picture. What kind of horses are they? They look Spanish influenced to me. Love the buckskin, but then I've always been a sucker for them and for some reason never had one myself!
As for the saddle rolling--I vote for just itchy.
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Member:
sbawer1
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 - 12:40 pm:
Thanks everyone for your comments. He seemed okay yesterday. Vet is a little concerned though so obviously I will be keeping a careful eye on him. He was pawing alot prior to DrOpping to roll so it could have been a temporary belly ache. We'll see!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 - 7:54 pm:
Hi Sue,
My gelding always tries to roll in a nice, sandy arena. It is OK when he does not have the saddle on, but he also does it with the saddle. I really had to get after him one time during a clinic so he would get up before ruining the saddle. Another time he went down while my daughter was riding him in the arena - she was able to step off him in time. In this case - definitely itchiness.
So, I am hopeful it turns out to be nothing more than that,
Lilo
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