How Do Horses Sleep? Learn Their Sleeping Habits

Consequences Of Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep will distort equine eating patterns, physical shape, and overall performance. A sleep-deprived horse will soon become weak, heavy-eyed, and unable to control its body temperature. Although the animal might consume more food than usual, it can still lose weight.

When horses suffer from sleep deprivation, you will likely spot the negative impact a couple of days later. Tired horses will become restless, irritable, and bad-tempered. Even worse, a sleep-deprived horse can attack and pose a danger to humans and other animals around.

In several cases, horses with sleeping disorders have collapsed during show and major equestrian events. Sudden collapses can also occur due to joint or muscle problems. The most frequent injuries in equines are bone trauma, ligament, or tendon injury.

Finally, not having adequate room to lie flat and stretch will prevent the horse from getting REM sleep. As a result, the animal will feel extreme drowsiness. Horses that suffer from sleep disorders can often wake up at night and display excessive movements.

Another severe sleep deficit condition in equines is narcolepsy. Though rare, this disease is incurable and affects the central nervous system. As a result, an alert horse can have sudden sleep attacks and muscle tone loss. Hypersomnia is another grave condition in equines and involves excessive sleep.

Final Thoughts

Equines possess a unique ability to rest while standing up. However, they also need to lie down to have a proper sleep. The fact that horses can doze in two different positions confuses many people. Hopefully, this article debunked some myths about horse sleeping patterns