Cob Vs School

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Witchy

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Well that was interesting!! I've been taking Joe into the school for a ride at the new yard where I've moved him to just to get him used to it and yesterday (3rd time in there) he decided that he'd have a lay down and a role!

He done this the 2nd time I took him in there and was fully tacked up but this 3rd time I WAS ON HIM!!!

Luckily a very experienced friend was watching us and she promptly ran in jumped on him, gave him a good hiding and then schooled him hard for 10mins. He done several bucks and argued with her for a minute or two to start with but then seemed to do as he was told.

I can't beleive it!! Little sod, how could he do that to me - I keep going from laughing my head off about it, to being really angry with him and then being really upset because he thinks he can do that to me.....

My friend is going to help me with his manners but she has said that he is a cool horse and is responding to being taught, he just seems to have never been in a school before or taught any manners
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Have you had any experiences like this/what did you do??

Should I laugh about this and be positive, worry or be upset?? he doesn't scare me but I do worry that I don't have the experience to teach him how to behave...

He's just been used as a happy hacker all his life (11yo)
 
Hmm, hard to say if he's being naughty or just fancies a roll! I knew a horse that would lie down under saddle as a form of evasion - pretty effective! I'd really get after him if he even 'thinks' about it as you want to break the habit asap. Perhaps he could be turned loose for a roll once you are finished as a reward?
 
We've had a few horses do this, the trick was to just never let them stop. Also a big schooling stick was required, so everytime the horse even considered stopping to roll they were quickly able to push them on. Walk around and if he even tries to do it, trot constantly for the next 5-10 minutes (depending on fitness etc) so he learns if he stops doing that then its actually less work for him.

Also make sure he does get adequate turnout/access to a decent size stable so he can roll when he isn't being ridden.
 
I have known a few do this (apparently my mums old pony was a devil for it) though they have all been riding school horses.

Agree with Jess keep him moving, if you need to trot as soon as you get in the school.
 
little monkey!!!

I had a horse that did this to me once - I leapt off just in time! I agree with Jess, keep him moving all the time, keep him busy and don't let him even think about rolling!

How about doing things to help him realise that the school can be fun? You could do polework, beinding poles/cones, loads of transitions (one at every letter!), push on for a fast trot down the long side (my coblet LOVES doing this), maybe some little jumps?
 
We are not allowed to let them off in the school, they have to be on a line. He has a field and a stable to role around in, I just think he's never been taught whats right and wrong
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River does this but his is due to sweet itch - if you ride him when its midgy he cant contain himself.... he will also stop to scratch on anything available too...

The trick is to keep him moving (though I also avoid riding at bad times e.g. dusk and dawn and cover him in fly repellent!!)
 
I knew a riding school pony who did this when he got wet as he would get itchy. He got sold as he was meant for beginners and it was getting dangerous. New owner could never ever ride if rain was even forecast as he would even roll on the road!
Is he maybe sweating up a bit and getting uncomfortable? A lot of horses, particularly cobs are getting their winter coats through- could it maybe be time for the first clip of the winter?
Agree you need to keep him moving though, and keep alert for any signs of rolling - this horse would always rub one back leg against the other before doing down so you had enough time to jump off or try to get him moving. If you identify the warning signs (maybe pawing the ground or something like that?) you know to act. Might be an idea to ride bareback for a while if you can to avoid putting your saddle in danger!
 
I personally never allow my horse to be turned out in the school i think the school is for work and when he goes in there he knows what is expected from him.

I wouldn’t allow him to role with or without you on board. If you allow him sometimes (when he is loose) then don’t allow him other times (when you are riding) i think the pony could be forgiven for getting confused so i would just ban any rolling in the school.
 
He puts his head down and pretends to scratch his feathers but I pull him up, the third time he done it I wasn't concentrating and he went down.

I think he's just being a muppet. Will try again after work this evening and see what he does...

I'm quite novicy and bought him to help me learn but didn't bargain for this lol
 
He is helping you learn - you just didn't think he'd be helping you learn how to stop a horse rolling while being ridden
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He's just being a bit naughty, be firm, get after him, don't let him dither - he won't have a chance to roll!
 
You'll be fine hun, just relax and kick on! These cheeky little coblets need a determined rider on top sometimes...Murphy can now tell by the tone of my voice when he needs to buck up his ideas and do as I ask!!

If he's not been in a school before he might just not realise that he's in there to work, so just make it clear to him that you expect him to do as you ask, when you ask.
 
Watch out for every possible sign! Never stop in the middle of the schools - only ever right by the edges so its difficult for them to get down...Look for signs like pawing at the ground, and say NO firmly and kick on, take a schooling whip and give him a massive smack if he doesn't move forward.

We used to have loads do it at my old riding school! xxxx
 
He knows what he is doing - he is taking the P. It is really dangerous, the horse could trample someone, break his saddle and even break his back.

I never allow my horses to be turned out in the school - they know that the school means work they have their fields and stable for rolling about in. One of mine constantly rolls and lies down and he tried it once in the school and got told off so never did it again.

A friend of mine had her horse on working livery and it picked up this habit - as soon as you walked her into the school, whether aboard or in hand, she would roll. It terrifed the beginner riders and got her out of quite a bit of work.

The way around it is to constantly keep them moving - dont ever let him put his head down to "scratch" anything until you have trained him out of this behaviour and do not allow him to roll in the school in hand.
 
Hi

I too bought a lovely cob as my first horse just 5 months ago and am like you on a steep learning curve!

I know she has previously done this with someone in the past but I have to say she has never done this with me. I always have a schooling whip with me when I am in the school and wouldn't hesistate to use it if I thought she was going to go down and try to roll with me.

I have realised over the time I have had her that cobs are quite cheeky and full of personality and have found that you have to be quite firm with them - I suppose this could be said of all horses but I can only speak from my current experience.

Good luck with it hun I am sure you will be fine!

Boo x
 
Re the possibility of itchiness unless he has a medical condition like sweet itch but even then it is still a no no

he should not be rolling and needs better manners. Frank gets very sweaty at is super itchy atm as he is changing his coat. If I untack him in his stable he is straight down for a roll.

He wouldn't dream (or dare
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) to roll with me on top or his tack on.

Keep persisting OP, and just be firm, get on and mean business. If scratching his knee is a precursor to this don't let him do that, when you are on top he should be concentrating on you. make sure you have a schooling whip with you and at the first sign of him stopping or going to have a scratch be quick to correct him.

All horses need their boundaries and I think its only fair that these are clear and fair to them.
 
Just do what others say - keep him moving and don't give him a chance to roll. You need to be able to be quick to sense when he is going to do this and be ready to clearly get him moving forward. As other poster said - don't confuse him by allowing him to roll in the school at anytime - make the school for work - but you can also make it fun work.

You also mention he may be itchy and that he has been scratching his feathers - this could be mites and he may need treatment for these. Mind you it could be another evasion - they are little toe-rags sometimes
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He knows what he is doing - he is taking the P. It is really dangerous, the horse could trample someone, break his saddle and even break his back.

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Ditto. You MUST NOT allow him to do it with a rider on his back again. Same goes for in-hand and with tack on. Do whatever you have to to stop it.
 
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