Rolling with rider

[moli]

I wonder if any of you can help. My friend bought a 12.2hh Dartmoor mare for her little girl 4 weeks ago and she has been fine except for one problem.

She sometimes goes down to roll when she is in the sand arena whilst the girl is on her. She has also done this when taken to the pony club field which we put down to the fact that the flies and midgies were awful that day.

We think she has always been in season each time she has done this - does this sound like an explanation and can anyone offer some advice to cure this problem as my friend is extremely worried that her daughter get's hurt.

Thanks
moli

[Mehitabel]

one of the ponies we bred did this when we were breaking her in - she did it on the lunge and ridden and would drop from a canter if she spotted some sand! we dealt with it with a loud no and a sharp smack on the backside with the stick. grass reins will probably help with your friend's daughter, as they'll stop her getting her head down, but i'd try to find a small, confident adult who can deal with it more long term.
of course, if she only ever does it when she's in season, there could be a physical cause, but i've known a few ponies who use this trick as a form of evasion.

[Lucy J]

I used to hack out with a pony who used to do this. If the ground was tempting he's get down and roll, I suppose it is a lack of respect for the rider though.