Prodney’s Blog: Why do horses roll?

Humans just love giving us baths, then get frustrated when we go for a good roll just as soon as we can. It’s time I let you all into a secret.

We think your obsession with baths and ‘being clean’ is a bit weird. There, I’ve said it. If you just gave rolling in a nice patch of mud a try you’d appreciate just how satisfying it is.

Horses roll for pretty much the same reason you wash – it helps keep our coats in good condition. Mud and dust are good for our skin, and rolling also helps regulate our temperature. You have your warm houses and thermostats, we have dirt.

If we’re itchy, a good roll is the ultimate scratch, and when wasn’t that satisfying? If we have sweaty saddle marks after a ride of course we appreciate being washed down, but following that with a lovely roll in the dust is our equivalent of being wrapped in a fluffy towel.

And finally, we roll when we’re happy and feel safe. So next time your pony does it, don’t roll your eyes, be happy for them.

Do you get it now? Humans can be so odd, this seems so obvious to us.

Prodney is Chief Equine Officer (CEO) at Park Lane Stables, and achieved celebrity status following the TV coverage in 2021.