He keeps rolling!

[Zargon_91]

My boy has started rolling every time i put him in a stable on a bed that has just been mucked out, just once, not colicy or even looking like discomfort. It almost seems like he is scent marking??? He sniffs all around the banks, and then rolls. Distracting him with food doesnt work either.
He was cut late (5ish) would this make him territorial?
Has anyone heard of anything like this before?
It doesnt seem detrimental, its just annoying because he ends up scraping up his deep litter and its a bit weird tbh!

 

[Moomin1]

It's very common. Lots of horses do it. Just like when you turn them out in the field or in a sand school.

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

All of the horses I worked with did this. One in particular insisted on making more mess if I made his bed extra comfy and inviting. He'd get up, shake off all the loose straw, and look at me as if to say 'well what did you expect me to do?'

 

[lcharles]

My horse does this, in fact he always rolls twice on one side and once on the other and then he's happy. He'll leave his food to do it as well. He does it when i first put him in his stable or when i muck it out and put down fresh straw.

I think he just loves his bed!! People always come up to me and think he's colicy so tend to wait until he's had his three rolls before i carry on!! lol x

 

[Zargon_91]

Ahh, I was hoping it was normal! my last horse was so stable-proud he never rolled- not once in the whole 9 years I had him!

 

[AmyMay]

Horses will often do it, especially if you have new fresh bedding down - or are wet.

 

[Smurphy]

My horse does this, it drives me nuts! His bed is a mess in the morning! He will dig all the bedding into the middle before rolling