Many people think horses sleep standing up.  For the most part, this is true…to an extent.  Horses are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they take “horse naps” throughout the day.  Most of these are done standing because horses can lock their legs, but this doesn’t quite meet the requirements that a horse needs for sleep.  For that, they need to lie down.

Horses, like humans, need a period of REM sleep.  This is the deep sleep that results in Rapid Eye Movement…dream sleep, essentially.  They don’t need much, an hour or two in a 24 hour period.  But lack of this REM sleep will catch up with the horse and result in sleep deprivation.  That, in turn, can trigger episodes of sudden collapse to their knees, going off their feed, and behavioral problems.

Your horse might not lay down for a variety of reasons. It is a suseptible position for a prey animal, so they need to feel safe in their surroundings.  The surface needs to be comfortable.  If you wouldn’t lay down in a mucky, wet stall, don’t expect your horse to, either. 

A change in the social situation or surroundings might throw a horse off, such as new stablemates or a new barn.  If they have been pasture boarded (I like to call them “Pastureized”), the newness of walls and warmth might make them insecure and afraid for a few days.

If you’re not sure your horse is sleeping well, first and foremost look for signs.  “Bedding back” or flakes of bedding, across the topline or flank is a sure sign they have been laying down or even rolling.  If you still aren’t sure, put them under camera.  We have cameras in all of our stalls to remotely monitor our horses, and it’s always fun to see some of the things they do.  This is a screen shot of one of our rescues, who sleeps like a murder victim…legs splayed out, head stretched out flat.  All he needs is a chalk line around him!

To sum up, give your horse a nice bedroom, er stall, to relax and feel safe in.  The result will be a happy, healthy friend.