Why Do Horses Roll After Baths?

An equine behavior expert considers the reasons why horses might roll after baths.
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Why Do Horses Roll after Baths?
Behaviorists theorize that dust and dirt persisting on the coat act as a sunscreen and repels insects. Horses may find a roll in the mud on a hot day has a cooling effect. | Photo: Photos.com

Q: Why do horses roll after getting baths?

A: That can be frustrating, right!? Well, I guess horses roll after getting a bath for one of the reasons they roll at any other time.

Rolling is usually put in the category of self-grooming or comfort behavior. It most certainly must have some adaptive function to have persisted for so long and among horses kept in all types of environments.  We believe horses roll to scratch their backs, help shed winter coats, and to dust-bathe

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Prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Nancy Diehl completed a master’s degree in animal science while studying stallion sexual behavior. Later, she completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center and worked in equine practices in Missouri and Pennsylvania. Diehl also spent six years on faculty at Penn State, where she taught equine science and behavior courses and advised graduate students completing equine behavior research. Additionally, Diehl has co-authored scientific papers on stallion behavior, early intensive handling of foals, and feral horse contraception. Currently she is a practicing veterinarian in central Pennsylvania.

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