How Horses Sleep - Can Horses Sleep Standing Up?

 

      

 

Can Horses Sleep Standing Up?

 

• Yes! Horses can sleep standing up. And this makes perfect sense when we remember that a horse is *ahem* a meal for other creatures. The natural fight or flight instinct that helps them escape predators is most effective when they are already on their feet. It wastes precious time to get up from the ground and run away.

 

• But HOW do they stay on their feet? Anyone who has nodded off on a plane knows that sleeping upright often ends with a near-face plant into your tray table. Horses have cleverly evolved with a stay apparatus that keeps them from toppling over.

 

The stay apparatus and check ligaments help your horse stand and sleep

 

• Various and sundry muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your horse’s legs work together to keep your horse upright during sleep and allow the legs to rest.

 

Keeping the fetlocks in place

 

• All four legs have a suspensory apparatus: the collection of structures and soft tissues, like tendons and ligaments, at the back of the cannon bone down to the hoof.

 

• This primary function of the suspensory apparatus keeps your horse’s fetlocks from dropping during movement and rest.

 

The forelegs

 

• Check ligaments stabilize the area around the horse’s knee (the carpus). In the upper region of the fore limb, muscles around the shoulder, elbow, and down toward the carpus keep the leg extended. This standing position is the default position and remains as a horse snoozes.

 

The hindlegs

 

• The hind limbs are more complicated. The stay apparatus centers around the knee cap (patella), and when the medial patellar ligament clicks the patella into place, the hocks and stifle also click into place, keeping the leg from bending. The other leg can then rest as this arrangement of muscles and connective tissue keeps your horse standing.

 

• These systems allow your horse to sleep, and pop out of sleep, as needed.

 

This article has great photos and descriptions of the stay apparatus anatomy.

 

Comet is CLEARLY unfazed by the paparazzi taking his picture while he’s sleeping.

 

Stages of Sleep in Horses

 

• Horses have a few different sleep needs, just like us. They rest about 5 or 6 hours daily, but foals and seniors snooze more. This time doesn’t happen in one big chunk; it’s spread throughout the day. The most critical phase, the REM sleep, is usually after midnight.

 

• A horse’s rest cycle has three basic stages: Drowsiness for about two hours, slow-wave sleep for about three hours, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for about 45 minutes.

 

• Drowsiness and slow wave sleep, which is a deep sleep, are standing.

 

• The REM sleep cycle requires a horse to lie down, as all muscle tone goes soft.

 

The Importance of REM Sleep in Horses

 

• REM sleep is the most restorative stage for horses and people. It’s when horses dream, twitch, move their legs, and lose all muscle control.

 

• Cognitive function rejuvenation occurs during REM sleep, allowing your horse’s brain to form memories, learn, and process.

 

• You may see your horse flat out on their side or propped up on their chest. They can have REM sleep in either position. When propped up, it’s easier for them to breathe, and you may notice their head tucked.

 

• Horses should have at least 30 minutes of REM sleep.

 

 

The Role of Comfortable Surroundings in Horse Sleep

 

• Horses will not sleep when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

 

• A horse’s bedding matters. Horses will choose soft, fluffy bedding over naked mats.

 

• Horses will also show healthier sleep habits on straw bedding. A tiny study revealed that horses on straw bedding interacted with the bedding longer and rested lying down more.

 

Read more about straw bedding and behaviors here.

 

Herd Behavior and Its Influence on Horse Sleep Patterns

 

• In a herd setting, bedding is just as important as herd dynamics.

 

• Horses in herds take turns standing watch. This duty allows many other horses to rest lying down, as they feel safe having some eyes looking out.

 

Bedding in a herd situation

 

• When it comes to bedding and herd situations, this is where it gets interesting. If there is ample bedding in a herd situation, all horses can use that bedding to rest. If there is limited bedding, the lower-ranking horses were not allowed to lie down in the bedding.

 

Read this study here.

 

 

Horse Sleeping Problems – Narcolepsy

 

• Sleep problems in horses are dangerous to them and humans. There are two primary types of equine sleeping issues – narcolepsy and sleep deprivation.

 

Narcolepsy in horses

 

• This neurological condition is rare in horses and quite dangerous. It can begin at birth or develop later in adult life. There are genetic links in Lipizzaners, Minis, Shetlands, and Suffolks. Equines with PPID (Cushing’s disease) may also have signs of narcolepsy.

 

• A horse with narcolepsy affects the REM sleep portion and creates excessive drowsiness and sudden transitions into REM sleep at odd times. Many narcoleptic equines will collapse into sleep and, at very inopportune times.

 

• There are environmental signals that may trigger a sleep attack. Sounds, feeding, grooming, interactions with people or horses, or other stimulants may push a horse into cataplexy. Cataplexy is a temporary state with a loss of muscle tone and reflexes.

 

Signs of equine narcolepsy

 

• You may find that your horse drops their head, buckles their knees, collapses, sways, stumbles, or otherwise seems to have lost the brain to body connection. Horses sometimes rest their necks or bodies on fencing, troughs, or other structures. It might look like many other neurological disorders, which are best sorted out with your vet’s help.

 

Napping in the sun!

 

Sleep Deprivation in Horses

 

• There are many reasons for a horse to not sleep, from arthritis, pregnancy, injury, travel, and fright.

 

• However, it stands to reason that not sleeping means feeling unsafe in their environment, and they may be in pain.

 

• Like narcolepsy, deprivation can trigger cataplexy and collapse.

 

• Your vet needs to be involved to help your horse. It might be as easy as finding soreness or arthritis.

 

Signs of sleep deprivation in horses

 

• Sleep deprivation can show up like narcolepsy, or the signs are subtle. There may be knee buckling, sleeping at odd times, collapsing, or a general slowness and lethargy.

 

• Some equines may exhibit aggressive behavior, act stressed, or lose weight. For horses in a herd, are they showing signs of being picked on by higher-ranking horses? Equine behavior in herds is fascinating and affects all parts of their life.

 

• Does your horse have weird scrapes or abrasions, perhaps on their knees, that indicate a fall?

 

• Talking to your vet and helping your horse get enough sleep is a good idea.

 

Help Your Horse Have Better Sleep

 

• Address your horse’s mind and body when supporting their sleep health.

 

Address inflammation

 

• Horses with arthritis, old or new injuries, metabolic disorders, or other inflammation in their bodies are uncomfortable or painful. Luckily, treatments, diets, medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes address all of these factors.

 

 

Herd life

 

• Make some changes if your equine partner isn’t sleeping because their pasture mates are jerks. If your horse is alone, do what you can to find a friend to boost their confidence for sleep.

 

Bedding and environment

 

• Find new bedding, and more of it, that your equine partner likes. The more comfortable their environment is, the more rest they can have.

 

• If there is bedding up to their eyeballs, consider the location of the bedding. The finest shed, complete with luxury bedding, isn’t worth a dime if it is unsafe.

 

• You may need to help your horse see other buddies, rearrange neighbors, or otherwise experiment with how and where the bedding is.

 

• Adjust the lighting and sounds overnight. Music isn’t necessary, and barn lights should be off for optimal snoozing.

 

How do you know if your horse is rested?

 

• It’s not always easy to determine if your horse is rested, but you can tell if they were lying down overnight.

 

• Is there evidence of shavings or dirt on their body or tail? Do you see an imprint of a horse-sized creature anywhere on the ground or in shavings?

 

• Has your horse been pacing or stall-walking overnight? That means stress, which means no snoozing.

 

• Do they have new bite marks from herd buddies that may be chasing them off from sleeping?

 

• Do you notice your horse napping at new and odd hours?

 

• These vague signs can mean many things, so talk to your veterinarian about how to help your horse get enough REM sleep.

 

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