Horse rolled while I was riding

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Carojay

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I got my first horse about a month ago. It's been going quite well - he can be really stubborn and plant his feet at times but he's a Welsh and I expected some stubbornness! Until today we had been making progress every time I rode him, but today, in our school, he seemed to go back 3 steps :( Not only did he plant his feet but he decided to roll whilst I was on him (I jumped off quick but it was quite scary!)

Things generally were a bit odd today so I think he could have been unsettled - the hunt was around and although they weren't near our yard, I'm sure he could sense them, there was another horse in the school without her tack on ( her owner is slowly bringing her back into work) and she had rolled 2 minutes before, and my mum had shown up with our dog who, although he was the other side of the gate, was barking at us, so it was all a bit mad.

I did get back on him straight after and he did not attempt to roll again, but I'm worried he might honk of it as a way to get me off him and not have to do any work. Also, I am quite novice and I think he just doesn't respect me and I don't really know how to get his respect. I have advice from lots of knowledgable people but I would like to be confident to ride him when they are not around too!

Can anyone give me an advice?
 
As the previous post said - he won't do - if you keep working him, whatever the distractions - and make his work interesting, hack out lots (if you can)
 
Well done for getting straight back on and making him work. To stop him doing it again (and it could just have been a one off) carry a schooling whip and at the 1st sign that he's thinking about rolling give him a flick with it to keep him moving. Remember he has to stop to roll.
 
Hi,

He's trying you out. He's trying to figure out how to stop you from getting him to work.

Granted this was exceptional circumstances - other horse in school, dogs about etc - could be a factor.

My Welsh has tried most tricks in the 'Equine Encyclopedia of Not Having to Do Any Work and How to Annoy Humans' - you just need to be firm and get back on - the minute you don't he's won the game.

Besides, you've only had him 5 minutes - he doesn't know you - spend lots of time with him in the stable - loose in the school - in-hand for a walk. Get to know each other without riding - it builds trust for both of you.

xxxx:D
 
Is it a sand school? I have had horses try to roll with me on the beach, they love to roll in sand, he may just need to learn (pretty quickly) that it is not except able!
 
Could have been worst, I had a pony do this to me in a ford in feb! Had to ride a soggy pony home with a boot full of water! Think she was hot as it was a mild day and she had a full winter coat! Lesson learned, keep them moving forward then they can't roll.:)
 
Thanks for your replies. ShrikeThelwell - you're right it's very early days and we are still getting to know each other - I have been doing groundwork with him and will continue with this. He does like to hack but he's not too happy about going on his own at the moment - I think that's lack of confidence in me maybe?

KristmasKat - other horse wasn't exact.y loose her owner was leading her with her head collar on. I don't know why she let her roll though - she was quite apologetic afterwards as she thought that was what made Jay think he could roll!
 
Carojay said:
Thanks for your replies. ShrikeThelwell - you're right it's very early days and we are still getting to know each other - I have been doing groundwork with him and will continue with this. He does like to hack but he's not too happy about going on his own at the moment - I think that's lack of confidence in me maybe?

KristmasKat - other horse wasn't exact.y loose her owner was leading her with her head collar on. I don't know why she let her roll though - she was quite apologetic afterwards as she thought that was what made Jay think he could roll!
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KristmasKat = Sorry I thought that question was for me :o

Carojay - Take your time - you haven't known him for long - Me and the boyo have been together for almost 11 months and we're not there yet..

Alternate rides out alone with a ride in company whilst your lad gets used to his new home - if you feel nervous play soothing music whilst you ride - on your phone if it can play them - it will relax you and give your fella something else to think about.

Take your time and enjoy getting to know each other - this time of year is great for it since the days you can't ride you can just enjoy being in each others company.

In fact back in January when I first brought my lad to his new livery we had two weeks of snow - so no riding - I spent each day with him - grooming, sitting in his stable and drinking tea and in a very short time he was comfortable in my company and i in his ...and doesn't pine for other horses when we do travel further away :D
 
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As the others have said, just keep doing what you're doing. He will be testing your authority the same way the beta tests the alpha horse (there's more than one way to the top of the herd, right?). Once he's established his trust in you, you'll feel so much more at ease but everyone here has been in your shoes at some point so we understand how you feel!

Only thing I can add is, be sure your saddle isn't damaged in any way as our old pony broke the tree in his years ago doing the same thing.
 
It's great that you are considering all of the other 'strange' things that were going on that day which may have caused this behaviour. And you are absolutely right that these could have contributed to his strange behaviour.

But, I would be doubly careful about keeping an eye out for this happening again, and if it does I would strongly advise to have his saddle checked by a qualified Master Saddler, as it could be that he is uncomfortable or in pain. The other thing worth checking if this behaviour continues is his teeth, as it could be that his mouth is causing him pain, which is resulting in him not wanting to be ridden.

One thing I will add, is that horses do not have the capacity to try to 'get one over you' or 'test you out'. It is always important to remember that your ponies behaviours are all there to give you information. Horses are not able to talk, cry, or even yelp as a dog might if he were in pain, so it is our responsibility as their owners and riders to make sure we notice and take notice of any behaviours different to normal. This is our ponies way of trying to tell us something, and it is our job to figure out what it is. Certainly your pony may have just been reacting to all the unusual goings on on that particular day, but if it is a problem that persists and he continues to do, I would strongly advise for you to first get the advice of a vet, and then from a behaviourist if there is found not to be a pain issue.

Good luck! :)
 
What everyone else said, some fantastic advise, but I give your pony a high five, I reckon he sounds like a right dude!! Love love love cheeky horses, I know it's unacceptable, but at least yours has character!! X
 
Next time pull his head up and get him going forward they can't just roll with no warning so be prepared to reprimand him in the strongest terms necessary to stop him before he goes down. It's not on to roll with a rider on no matter what else is going on.
 
My exceptionally green pony tried to roll at the end of the first lesson he ever had in a sand school. He got to his knees as I hopped off and gently but firmly made him get back up. When the lesson proper had finished we took all the others out, took his tack off and let him have a lovely roll. Next time he went in the school he thought he'd roll again and was stopped very firmly but again allowed to roll once the others were out and his tack was off. It didn't take him very long to realise that you just don't roll with a rider or your tack on, but it is allowed when you are naked:)

You need to watch him rolling in the field, notice what he does before he rolls ( won't just flop onto his side!) and make him move on when you are riding him when he tries it. Don't be afraid to be very firm. It's ultra bad manners, let alone dangerous, and you need to stop him.
 
You will not be the first or last to have this happen to you!

If he tries this again be quick to whack him hard as he starts to go down, legs voice whip anything to get him to go forward. Secondly, if he does go down be quick to whack him and as he gets up step onto him so you are still on top. That way he doesn't realise that he did get you off!
 
Naughty boy! I would think it almost definitely was because the other horse in the school rolled, it is funny watching them all go down one by one in the field, but not when you're on board! I think you reacted the right way though:-)
 
I think it was probably due to the other horse being in the school with no tack on more than him taking advantage of you as such, but the fact that you got back on and made him work is definitely a good thing! He'll gain your respect after he creates a proper bond with you, hopefully it'll be a one off. You hear this happening a lot in sand schools though x
 
Also not to be overly cautious, pony my daughter was riding couple mths ago with no history of rolling with rider on back went down with my daughter on board, thankfully she just slipped off. Pony came down with colic later that day.
 
Lost of good advice on here - one more thought to add... is he turned out at the moment? Rugged?

I know many are *desperate* to roll naked when they are rugged and itchy/not getting much turn out due to the weather/field saving.

Obviously it isn't acceptable, but, as one or two others have said, he should get some opportunities to roll without rugs... just not whilst ridden!

(I used to take a share into the school fully clipped and naked... he'd roll in the snow he hated rugs/being stabled so much poor thing. We rode afterwards and he /never/ tied it under saddle mind.)
 
Thank you everyone - this has been so helpful! I definitely need to keep spending time with him and getting to know him.

Showpony - thanks for the warning. He did shake himself as soon as he had finished rolling and he has been fine today but I will keep a closer eye on him.

Devonshire dumpling - I love his cheekiness too! - I will love it even more once I have his respect! :)

I will get him checked out to make sure he's not in pain - he's due to see the dentist and chiropractor pretty soon anyway. I'm pretty sure it was because he saw the other horse roll though!

Hopefully I'll be able to post some positive stories about him in the future!
 
Tickles - he's not rugged - he lives out (he's unclipped) 24/7 but its been so wet maybe that has prevented him from rolling in the fields?
 
I would imagine the likelihood is that he was indeed rolling because the other horse had been. They definitely do copy! And while I agree with a previous poster that they don't have the capacity to "try and get one over you", they most certainly can and will test boundaries. Especially with new horses and people. That's a natural part of being a herd animal. As others have said, just enjoy spending time together, it doesn't always have to be in the saddle.

If you are going to clip, make sure you don't over-clip for the amount of work he is doing. Most horses do better with a little more coat and a little less rug, unless they're Cushings or something.
 
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