How do horses sleep?

 It is believed that horses can do without sleep, and if they sleep, then only while standing. Is it true? Horses can doze off while standing

Do horses sleep?

Naturally, horses sleep like any other living creatures. Not being able to sleep, the horse will begin to get nervous and sick, and there is little good in this. How much do horses sleep? Scientists have calculated that horses sleep about 4 hours a day, that is, much less than we do. Apparently, the myth that the horse is able to do without sleep is connected with this. At the same time, horses sleep in fits and starts, dividing sleep into parts of 20 to 30 minutes each. Since horses are prey animals that can be attacked at any moment, they need to be vigilant all the time. After all, while the horse wakes up and rises from a lying position, a predator can attack, and a lying horse is completely defenseless. And before falling asleep, the horse must be sure that it is safe. The psychology of these animals has not changed over the past centuries, although cougars or wolves rarely walk around the stables. As a rule, horses mostly sleep early in the morning (at 2-4 am) or prefer afternoon rest. They can fall asleep at other times if they feel safe.A horse can sleep only if it has the opportunity to lie down. 

How do horses sleep: lying down or standing up?

There is a myth that horses sleep exclusively while standing. This is not so. Yes, the horse can rest while standing, as it has the unique ability to “snap” the elbow and knee ligaments and joints. And they can even doze off standing up. But deep sleep is possible only in a lying position. If the horse is uncomfortable in the stable or in the pasture, it loses the opportunity to get enough sleep. And this is a psychological and physical overload. You, too, will feel bad about not being able to sleep. With a lack of sleep, the horse becomes nervous, irritable and can get sick. Therefore, it is imperative to monitor both the psychological comfort of the horse (create a sense of security), and provide enough space to sleep. For example, if a horse spends the night in a stall, it should be large enough so that he can lie on his side and stretch his legs. Horses need a dry, clean place to sleep. Therefore, if there are no shelters on the pasture, and the weather is rainy, they will also not be able to sleep. In a herd, horses usually feel much calmer, so they often lie down not alone, but in the company of relatives. At the same time, someone necessarily remains “on guard”, guarding the sleep of the others.