|
Post by jill on Nov 30, 2012 9:47:37 GMT 1
Johanna Vardon told me years ago they were "putting on their anoraks" and maybe she had a point. Do you think they do it to seal in a layer of air, or add a layer when they are cold? Or what do you think is the reason (just enjoy it doesn't count, prey animals rarely do anything so pointless :
|
|
|
Post by annas on Nov 30, 2012 9:54:15 GMT 1
In the wild i thought it was to do with protection from parasites and the heat or wet weather. So maybe it is just an instinct thing? I would also say it is good for a proper scratch of the places they can't reach. It also stretches their back muscles nicely which i guess keeps them healthier. We all have a good stretch now and again so i guess they do the same. Although no-one has told my horse this..... he just doesn't roll in the field!
|
|
amber
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,661
|
Post by amber on Nov 30, 2012 10:48:59 GMT 1
My boy loves to roll, but won't tend to do it out in a wet mucky field and if he does,..it's usually a very quick one and back up on his feet again!...he'll have a roll in his stable on a nice soft bed!
I've watched and learnt over the years that with him...in Summer: he'll roll to put his own 'fly protection' on!...and in Winter: he'll roll to have a good scratch and get to the bits he can't get to with his teeth!
They also (when in a herd situation and all good buddies) tend to all have a roll on the same patch...it's kind of a 'friendship roll patch' thing going on i've learnt...!
|
|
|
Post by lawyerbunny on Nov 30, 2012 10:58:51 GMT 1
That's really interesting, amber, about them using the same patch. We have one grey who gives away the rolling patches when she's moulting! I'll keep an eye out as to whether the others use the same place too.
I've always wondered about whether they like the mud for wind and weather-proofing. That makes sense, I think. The stretching/scratching thing does too, though I've known horses who rarely if ever roll. No idea, in short!
|
|
varkie
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 4,913
|
Post by varkie on Nov 30, 2012 11:17:18 GMT 1
I don't think there is one answer - I think there are a number of reasons - protection from hot/cold/wet, removal of parasites, protection from flies, muscle workout, removal of loose hair, etc. Using the same patch may be down to a herd all identifying together perhaps - same smell? Just thinking there - no proof.
I am not so confident on the enjoyment side - they do enjoy it, for sure. And I'm not sure I'd say that because they are prey animals, they don't do things purely for enjoyment - that is a bit of a sweeping statement. Question would have to be, do they ever do it purely for enjoyment, rather than enjoyment plus a practical reason.
|
|
|
Post by wabuska on Nov 30, 2012 11:46:40 GMT 1
Because it feel FANTASTIC! The also feel the need to rool on the same spot as others... perhaps a scenting role?
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Nov 30, 2012 14:07:47 GMT 1
I've noticed my lot roll when let into an an area they have been restricted from even only overnight. Of course they don't do it every time. This is when they tend to group roll as amber describes. Bracken will even go to the one rolling and encourage them to get up and then go down and roll there himself. These times are preceded by lots of sniffing that spot and circling before actually going down. This, I think, is excitement and some sort of bonding behaviour. Otherwise they roll to scratch it appears to me. The gravel heap is a favourite place for that. They don't seem to pick out mud especially but grazing is restricted.
|
|
|
Post by specialized on Nov 30, 2012 21:04:08 GMT 1
Ours will often make a wallow in the mud to roll in, the first will paw an area to bring the dirt up then roll and the others will be queueing up to follow. Our grey will only roll in the muddy areas - he will wait until it rains before rolling, or after he's had a bath.
|
|
|
Post by Solly on Dec 2, 2012 19:32:04 GMT 1
It's to remove the expensive fly spray.
|
|
amber
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,661
|
Post by amber on Dec 3, 2012 11:00:28 GMT 1
LOL Solly!!... That's why i don't go over the top with fly sprays as he tends to put his own on as soon as he can when the pesky flys are a biting. He doesn't go without though and i tend to spray the more vulnerable areas i.e. his under carriage, his ears and facial ears inbetween his legs and use udder cream to keep them away from his sheath.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2012 12:37:12 GMT 1
Some prey species will roll in mud to help hide their scent from predators but I've no idea if the horse is one of them and if they were historically they may or may not have lost that instinct in domestication. I seem to remember being told rolling in mud, then letting it dry and shaking it off helps remove excess grease from their coat. Talin leaves big white patches when he's moulting so it definitely removes dead hair but whether or not the horse knows that is anyones guess. I think Talin likes a good scratch as he prefers to roll in sand, when I have time to groom him throughly afterwards I sometimes untack him in the school and let him roll, he plops down as soon as his bridle is off and groans as he wriggles around on his back
|
|
Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by Amanda Seater on Dec 3, 2012 16:13:04 GMT 1
they roll in mud as they fully understand that thier slavews have nothing better to do than to scrape it off. It is their responsibility to keep us engaged and out of mischief!
|
|
|
Post by curlytobiano on Dec 3, 2012 22:11:11 GMT 1
I have been told that the rolling in the same spot thing is where the submissive horse will roll where the dominant horse has rolled (first, of course) to make itself more acceptable to the dominant horse because it smells more like it.
No idea if that is right or not but you definitely see the pecking order at work when they roll.
Also I wonder if they seem to roll in mud all the time because they are rolling in the same spot and that turns it to mud???
|
|
hammie
Advanced Poster
Posts: 448
|
Post by hammie on Dec 3, 2012 22:27:36 GMT 1
They like to see our faces when we go to get them from the field.
|
|
|
Post by mollichop64 on Dec 4, 2012 0:12:29 GMT 1
One of my friends section D's, goes down to roll does one side, then pushes herself up to a sitting position (yes sitting like a dog)! Moves herself around to the other way, still sitting then lays down to roll on said other side! Absolutely hilarious to watch, will try to video it and post here. As to the what's, why's and wherefores of rolling for them, no idea but as already suggested it keeps us engaged and in grooming brushes.
|
|