Cob Jockey

After our ride yesterday, I hosed the sweaty pony off and hand grazed him for a bit before walking him back down the track to his pasture.  When we were about ten feet from the gate, I felt a tug on the line, and turned around to see...

(I wish I had a picture)

Connor rolling.

He had simply decided he couldn't make it the last ten feet to his pasture, and laid down and rolled right there while being led.  He then got up with ears pricked forward, snorted, tossed his head and took a step toward me as if to say, "What are you gonna do about it, huh?!"  In fact, I am a terrible trainer and did nothing.  If I'd caught him going down, I would have stopped him, but once he was down there...eh.  Can't say I blame the guy, the sandy loam of the track probably felt pretty good.  Not disciplining the behavior goes against everything I hold to be true about animal behavior, but I'll admit to having a weak moment.  If he tries it again, though, he'll certainly learn that that's not acceptable behavior.

I've never known a horse to do that before, but both Shae and Connor have done that with me.  Shae didn't roll, but did lay flat out on his side while I was walking him to the mounting block on one of the first warm days of the year.  Just goes to show, once again, that you have to have a sense of humor and an understanding of the breed in order to work with Welsh Cobs.  Treating them like little horses doesn't get anybody anywhere.

Rolling while being led...seriously...