It’s a widely held misconception that horses aren’t affected by sleep deprivation. Most require at least four hours of slumber, including about 60 minutes of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during a 24-hour period. If a horse misses out on sleep for several days, he can become so exhausted that he literally falls asleep on his feet, collapsing.
Sleep deprivation is often confused with narcolepsy, a rare neurologic disorder that produces excessive sleepiness, but it is usually much easier to remedy. Take the following steps to ensure your horse gets sufficient sleep each day.
Turn off the lights.
Horses that are used to falling asleep outside in the darkness might have trouble snoozing if they’re moved to brightly lit stalls. They can eventually adapt to brighter conditions—for example, broodmares kept under artificial light for extended periods show few adverse effects—but they will be sleepy until they do.
Provide ample bedding.
REM sleep can be achieved only when the horse is lying flat out or in sternal recumbency with his nose resting on the ground. You can encourage your horse to get off his feet by making the floor more comfortable. In one study, horses were more likely to lie down in a stall deeply bedded with shavings.
Keep it quiet.
Horses are light snoozers, so at night try to keep the barn quiet or provide “white noise,” such as easy-listening music turned down low.
Stable horses in congenial groups.
Horses tend to sleep better when surrounded by other horses, but only if they all get along. Make sure your horse is friendly with herdmates in adjoining stalls. If two horses bicker all night, they might keep the whole barn awake.
Stick to a predictable routine.
Horses thrive on consistency. Feeding, turnout, and stall time that happen at roughly the same times each day help your horse feel secure and relaxed—two big factors in quality sleep. Sudden schedule changes can leave some horses on high alert, even when they’re tired.
Give them enough turnout time.
Horses that spend most of the day moving, grazing, and interacting with other horses might be more likely to rest deeply at night. Regular turnout helps burn off excess energy and reduces stress, making it easier for your horse to fully relax when it’s time to sleep.
Related Reading: How Much Turnout Should a Horse Have?
Make sure your horse is pain-free.
Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis can make lying down and getting back up uncomfortable, causing a horse to avoid REM sleep. If your horse rarely or never lies down, it’s worth discussing comfort and pain management with your veterinarian.
Check stall size and footing.
A stall that’s too small, slippery, or uneven can discourage a horse from lying down. Make sure your horse has enough space to stretch out safely and that stall mats or flooring provide good traction.
Signs Your Horse Isn’t Sleeping Enough
Horses don’t curl up and snooze the way people (or dogs) do, so sleep loss can be easy to miss. Keep an eye out for these subtle warning signs:
- Frequent dozing while standing, especially during the day.
- Drooping eyelids, lip, or head when at rest.
- Yawning repeatedly or seeming unusually lethargic.
- Unsteady moments or stumbling, especially when relaxed.
- Scrapes or scuffs on knees or fetlocks from partially collapsing while dozing.
- Rarely or never lying down in the stall or paddock.
If you notice several of these signs or your horse appears exhausted or unsafe on his feet, it’s time to talk with your veterinarian.
Related Reading:
Part of this article originally appeared on Equus.
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