Why do horses paw at the ground?

Question

My horse has been acting a little jittery and takes off running and pawing the ground. Is she ok?

Answer 1

She's fine. Since you call her a she, I assume it is a mare. She is probably in heat and acting antsy. They do this usually when they are frusterated, nervous, or something is irritating them. Don't worry though, she should be fine in a few days or a week.

Answer 2

Sometimes a horse in pain will paw the ground. A mare who is foaling will often break into a sweat and paw the ground as she is in labor - a horse who is colicing will also sometimes show nervousness and paw as well. Pawing can be the signs of something serious, or it could just be a symptom of boredom.

You don't say what the circumstances are when she's pawing - without more detail it's hard to say...

Answer 3

Pawing the ground is a natural instinct that normally is used to uncover grass roots and seeds for the horse to eat. Pawing the ground, in your horse's case, is a sign of nervousness or a feeling of being contained.

There has to be an underlying issue here. Does she do it when you are riding her, or when you have her in a specific place? Have you changed equipment (saddle, girth, bit, halter)? Is there a new horse in the barn? Is she in season? All of these can contribute to this type of behavior. Also, has she been through a traumatic event recently, like falling or getting injured?

Answer 4

Horses paw when they are furstrated or nervous or upset by something. Most times being tied up and bored will do it.
If she is not usually spooky and acting different you might want the vet to take a quick look to make sure her eyesight is ok.
They sometimes get a little jumpy when thye start to loose sight.
Other than that just correct her for the misbehavior and she will eventually get the idea thta pawing is going to earn her a swat.

Answer 5

Since you don't say how old this mare is, I'm just guessing. If she's not normally spooky, she may be having a problem with her sight or hearing. The pawing could be because of boredom, not getting enough exercise, or she could just be playing. If you can tie her up and keep an eye on her try grooming her while she's tied and if she starts pawing, use your hand to pop her on the shoulder or forearm and say "whoa" in a strong tone of voice.

Answer 6

Impatience and nervousness. Sometimes they will paw the ground right before rolling. Yours, sounds upset about something. Try doing some ground work with her (lunging her) before you ride her. Horses can react to the craziest things. I worked with an appol. mare that would run from pine cones and squirrels. Go figure. If a squirrel was near she would paw first, then start dancing around from side to side, sometimes try to rear.

Anyway,

Good Luck

Answer 7

shes fine unless its a continuous thing that happens for no apparent reason. the jitters are probably becuz she in heat and shes nervous. i have less experience with mares becuz my horse is a gelding. he paws at the ground but becuz he is a chicken. hes a polish arabian and hes scared of everything. so your horse might just be scared.

Answer 8

they paw the ground when they get inpatine.

i have a pinto mare and she dose this if shes standing on crossties to long she hates waiting shes fine when being riden its only when she stands tied she does this or when shes tied to the trailer and she tried to eat the grass.

hope this helps.

thats normally no worries

Answer 9

several reasons if she is in heat, if she is nervous, is it the area where she is fed. Also horse will do this if flys are bothering them. Just observe her and spray for flies and if after a few days it continues maybe you could check with the vet,

Answer 10

She is just fine! HOrses do that cuz they smell something like grain or a treat! THey also do it cuz they want attention, my horse does it too. They may also do it cuz they can sense something is wrong or they can tell the weather is going to change.