Rolling under saddle

[FaithfulCurly]

Short version of the story/question: 2 different horses/ponies under completely different tack (3 saddles, multiple pads, bridles, bits, halters, etc) have suddenly begun trying to lay down/roll under saddle. We’ve owned & been riding one for about 2 years with no issues. What could be the cause?

I’m baffled by the behavior of both of my horses lately. I have 2 Curly horses/ponies with various levels of training. We have accumulated 3 different saddles that I’m fairly certain fit her/them. We groom prior to riding—especially in saddle/girth areas. We also check tack for burrs, dirt, etc. They live on about an acre of forested land with free choice hay of good quality, mineral blocks, & supplemental ‘maintenance’ feed. Generally, at minimum, we do in hand warm ups, some yielding of the hind quarters, some short longeing/in hand walking & trotting, etc.

Long version with details: Faith (13-2HH more) is our ‘unicorn’ and practically perfect in every way for my inexperienced daughter & even me. However, lately she has begun trying to lay down/roll under saddle. The first time she did it I thought it was a one-off day for her. My daughter was riding her in the Western saddle that her breeder purchased/fit specifically for this horse. I was watching from the ground & actually saw the mare’s legs buckling in that way they do before they lay down/roll. First, I told my daughter to kick & push the horse through it, but my daughter is only 9 & been riding on & off (mostly off) for about 2 years. Then, I had my daughter dismount and lead the horse around for a minute after I unsaddled and checked for sensitivity of the horse’s back. There was nothing on the saddle pad, under side of the saddle, or sensitivity of her back. I hopped on the mare bareback and rode her around for a few minutes. Then we re-saddled her carefully, checking each aspect of her tack. My daughter then rode her for a while without any issues. I rode her another day (about a week prior) &, while she didn’t lay down, she was acting balky, but I pushed her through it (I actually didn’t think of it as her trying to roll until she did it with my daughter days later because I’m at the upper limit of her weight limit, so I thought she was just balking). I used a completely different saddle, girth, & pad arrangement, so I don’t think it’s the saddle. I thought this was an individual problem until yesterday…

Our other Curly (12-2 HH gelding) isn’t trained for riding, but I’m working on him with a pony-sized English saddle (yet another saddle from the ones the other horse rolled with) and driving harness. I was working with him in hand under saddle when he bolted a week or so ago. I lost sight of him for a moment & when I caught him I saw one side of him (& the saddle) were dirty, but I thought he had slipped and fallen to his side during his bolt. Yet, yesterday I was working with him in hand under saddle and I left him tacked up for a moment (minus reins) in our ‘round pen’ while I retrieved my long-reins. I came back to both sides of him (& the saddle) covered in dirt & leaves. He obviously rolled. As I began to long-line him I noticed him dropping his head (like a Beagle on a scent), but pushed him forward. I. Hacked his tack & his back after unpacking and there was nothing I could see that was wrong.

I don’t know what to think…can you guys help me brainstorm?

[malriis]

Have you thought about ulcers? They don’t sound like they have a high risk lifestyle but it’s something to consider

[FaithfulCurly]

I vaguely thought of ulcers, but I kind of dismissed it because, like you said, they’re pretty low-risk. They’re basically herbivorous dogs most of the time. They aren’t cinchy/girthy though…I thought that was a symptom.

[wannabedvm]

I don’t think it’s that weird that the gelding rolled when no one was on him; could just be a coincidence that it happened soon after the mare rolled. And you said yourself that you thought she was just balking the second. I wouldn’t be surprised if you are dealing with just a one-off with the mare.

[FaithfulCurly]

I hope you’re right that it’s just a one-off for the mare.

I’m surprised about the gelding rolling though because I was literally gone less than 2 minutes yesterday & he was only out of my sight for about that long the first time. In my experience, horses don’t usually just drop & roll that quickly when tacked up. Especially ones that just finished bolting (the first time the gelding probably rolled).

I really hope I’m wrong & you’re right though.

[wannabedvm]

@FaithfulCurly

I hope you’re right that it’s just a one-off for the mare.

I’m surprised about the gelding rolling though because I was literally gone less than 2 minutes yesterday & he was only out of my sight for about that long the first time. In my experience, horses don’t usually just drop & roll that quickly when tacked up. Especially ones that just finished bolting (the first time the gelding probably rolled).

I really hope I’m wrong & you’re right though.

If the gelding is unfamiliar with wearing a saddle (since you said he’s not driving broke), that could be why he rolled so fast when he realized you weren’t around?

[GoTeke]

Could something be going on in her spine? Muscular or skeletal?

Back in my first few riding lessons as a preteen, I was assigned a horse that would regularly roll with the rider on top. All the students knew not to let her put her head down too far or you’d loose her to a roll. The institutions were to ride her through it and/or give her a sharp tap with the riding crop.

Now, that was 20 years ago and my first few lessons so not a time where I was questioning things yet… I’ll never have an answer now.

Surprisingly this horse was only ever assigned to beginners as besides the occasional roll, she was a good ride.

Sorry I don’t have much for constructive input…

[SuzieQNutter]

Horses can roll if there is a lot of sand or if in water. If in water it is usually preceded with pawing but not necessarily.

[candyappy]

You said they live on heavily wooded land? Is there a chance they are eating acorns? It might be mild- colic -type symptoms if they are eating them.

Just a shot in the dark.

My daughters mare did this once when we were riding. She was sweaty and just felt it was time to roll:lol: My daughter was surprised to say the least.

[Scribbler]

Just once my mare got very stoppy on the local trail and as soon as we got into the stall she dropped flat while I was rushing to get the saddle off. Looked like her typical colic symptoms. Gave her Banamine, checked in with vet went for fast food anticipating a night at the barn and she was fine when I returned. That only happened under saddle once.

[FaithfulCurly]

Thanks everyone.

They may eat some acorns, but they typically have their head in a hay bale inside their shed.

The gelding was kind of a rescue, so I don’t know much don’t his history. The ad I found for him online said he had been ridden, but was ‘greener’ than his seller expected. From my experience with him, I think someone looked at him & said, “he’s not very big, so let’s just act like he’s been trained & get on him.” He’s a bit of a nervous Nellie, so for him to lay down within 2 minutes outside his ‘home’ field strikes me as unusual.

im getting ready to take them to our off-site ‘farm’ with 10+ acres to roam. There are some forested areas, but most of the fenced areas are grass/pasture mix. They’ll be out there for the winter, but we’ll probably ride/work with them at least a few times…it all depends on the crazy KY weather. Hopefully they’ll figure out laying down/rolling isn’t a good part of horse-human interaction &/or get over whatever is giving them reason to do so.

I jumped on the mare bareback for a little while yesterday. She gave no real sign of wanting to lay down/roll, but made it obvious that these 2 are very herd bound/buddy sour. At the farm they’ll also have 2 sheep, a miniature donkey, & miniature horse, another Curly pony as companions. So maybe they’ll not be so herd bound to one another.

[cutter99]

Have you considered it is an issue with their winter coats coming in? Does it happen if you are riding on the warmer fall days and they are sweating? Have you used anything topically lately like a shampoo or coat conditioner that could be making them itchy or causing a skin irritation or reaction, especially with a winter coat?

[ThatBayHorse]

My mare did this once on a trail ride and she had never even TRIED before… just dropped and scared the sh*t out of me. She then attempted it on a trail ride around the farm about a month later and I pony kicked her and made a huge fuss (she didn’t get me off that time) and it’s been over a year? Who knows

[PaddockWood]

Have you ridden them both bareback - WTC - to see if they want to roll? I saw you mention one of them. My thought is if they go well bareback you know it’s the saddles. We see over and over again that even though we think saddles fit, that when good experts get involved…they often don’t fit. I’ve studied saddle fitting over the years and yet have made mistakes over and over thinking my saddles fit and they didn’t.

[Xanthoria]

IMEX young horses often do this since they don’t know it’s not ok to roll anytime you’re itchy. It’s happened to me three times on different horses. But only once per horse when they were made to understand its NOT ok :lol: