Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I am a big sticker for insisting for good and safe behavior from our
horses...but this
seems a bit over the top to expect horses not to do this.  I had a mare that
just loved
to paw...and was clearly splashing water up on her belly (and whomever was
behind her!)
My guess is she was sweaty, itchy and hot....and as we like to soak the hot
horses down, she
was just helping!

If I was on a ride, and there was a lot of room, I would go ahead into the
stream, but go downstream, so
she would not muddy the water for those drinking.  If not, would probably
wait out of courtesy, until
drinking horses were finished..

Although I would never allow an itchy horse to get in the habit of rubbing
their head against me....
I would also not discipline one for trying to make it'self comfortable
pawing in water.....
Karen

> > 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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Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

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