Pawing in water? Bad sign of things to come?!

[Kacey88]

I had never gone through water with Milly until today. My childhood pony hated water so I was worried Milly might not take to it. Rode her through quite a big puddle, she went straight in and I was delighted! But, I think she liked it a bit TOO much. She started pawing and splashing around in it. I rode her out and thought that was strange. Kept riding her through until she stopped pawing the ground. She did it on the way back too.

Milly is the bravest and quietest little horse I could ever hope to own, but today left my worried that I might end up in a puddle with her sitting on me!

Do you think she does this because she wants to roll? Help me to stay dry!

 

[ridefast]

I was told they do it to work out the depth of the water

 

[Mrs B]

She's just playing.

Mine loves to do that too, however, if you feel her legs start to buckle, it may be a sign to either get your Speedos out or to kick on pdq....

 

[Marydoll]

Mines done it for years, she loved playing in the water

 

[SuperCoblet]

I used to always let gypsy play around and paw the water... Until he buckled his knees... We got out rather quickly I have recently started to let him back in for short periods to have a drink and a bit of a play, but he knows he will get a smacked bottom if he even thinks about going down

 

[only_me]

Billy was out in the field which has a small water jump in it. He took himself into it everyday to "play" - which involved pawing, blowing bubbles and digging

Its funny because at the start of last year he had zero confidence with water & it was a battle sometimes to persuade him that actually, water is ok & fun!

She probably just enjoys the splashing! A lot of horses do

 

[Kacey88]

I used to always let gypsy play around and paw the water... Until he buckled his knees... We got out rather quickly I have recently started to let him back in for short periods to have a drink and a bit of a play, but he knows he will get a smacked bottom if he even thinks about going down

Do you have enough time to get off? I have a growing fear of being trapped underneath her! I was riding her through with no stirrups! Thank god she's only 15hh

 

[Shantara]

I would be cautious, ready to pull up if it does decide to go down...but it sounds like she's just playing

The late, great Blobby used to paw at the water and he never went down

 

[Jackson]

Jack will get down and roll in water I found that out the hard way! he paws and plays for as long as he thinks he can get away for, then his legs buckle, and he's down

At least she's not scared of it!

 

[starryeyed]

All ours do this and fingers crossed have never rolled, think they just enjoy splashing about getting everyone soaked! I wouldn't worry too much as it's quite common for them to play in puddles but if she starts shifting her weight or you feel her bending her knees then some very enthusiastic kicks on are probably a good idea!

 

[Kacey88]

Jack will get down and roll in water I found that out the hard way! he paws and plays for as long as he thinks he can get away for, then his legs buckle, and he's down

At least she's not scared of it!

I like your positive outlook! Much better than being scared of it! Ok I'll stop worrying about it. I have a Wintec anyway so she can't do a huge amount of harm!

 

[SuperCoblet]

Do you have enough time to get off? I have a growing fear of being trapped underneath her! I was riding her through with no stirrups! Thank god she's only 15hh

he's thankfully never gone down yet (touch wood), i boot him one and he's ok I do hope he never does though, with a £500 saddle on I'll never forgive him

 

[MissTyc]

My mare pawed and played in water for years and then last summer she went down on her knees in a huge puddle, clearly intending to roll - it was so sudden and she looked so smug! Luckily her rider reacted instinctively and gave a boot that made her leap to her feet again!

 

[Enfys]

Juno does water. In fact, most of mine do - just as well, because we get a lot of the stuff.