Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> Is there a trail ettiquette involving a horse that likes to paw in the 
> water (creek, stream)?  I personally find it annoying somewhat, but in 
> analyzing my gelding's preference to reach out and actively splash himself 
> with vigorous pawing, I wonder if he's not actually cooling himself with 
> splashing the water up under his belly?  Should I just leave him alone? 
> Unless of course there are numerous other horses he's disrupting. <

    I'd like to know how people think about the pawing horse too.  I know 
they seem to disrupt things some what, but I also think my horse is trying 
to cool her belly.  I actually got chewed out last year because my horse was 
splashing water on her belly when two other horses were standing in the 
stream with me.  Was kind of funny because when I made my horse quit, then 
one of the other horses thought he would give it a try.  NOT was the 
immediate response from the rider.  Poor boy looked crushed.

    My mare also started blowing bubbles a few years back.  I never see her 
doing it at home but at a ride especially if it is hot and dusty she will 
stick her nose in a trough almost up to her eyes and swish her nose around 
and blow bubbles.  Just wondering if she is trying to clear the dust out of 
the nostrils.  All the other horses just look at her with astonishment, most 
of the riders laugh.  I figure if it makes her happy why not.

Becky R. - Montana and RS Picara the bubble blowing horse. 

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