How Much Sleep Does Your Horse Need?

horses habits when you are not around and watch for signs of sidelying or rest.
Is the horse able to move? Horses in the wild walk incredible distances every day. Does the horses environment allow freedom of movement? If not do you support the horses movement through riding walking together and other exercise? Are there ways you can enrich the environment to support more movement such as adding a herdmate increasing the space adding slow feed nets in several places or creating a paddock paradise?
Consider the horses herdmates or barn buddies. Does your horse seem to feel safe and comfortable with them around? Does one of them stand guard when others are sleeping? Is there enough space to comfortably get up and away from other horses if necessary? If your horse is alone consider some sort of equine companion. Very few horses feel safe living on their own especially if there are no other horses within sight.
Check over the horses body. If you suspect pain from arthritis or other changes work with your veterinarian to learn more through radiographs and possibly medication or supplementation. Work with a body worker to ensure that the horses body is comfortable that he is capable of lying down and getting back up and that the vagus nerve is free and functioning.
Build trust in your bond by spending chill time. You will be amazed at how hanging out with your horse without an agenda can increase his vagal tone and ability to relax. Use this time to cultivate your own vagal tone through deep breathing slow walking matching the horses movements humming and working with touch that feels good for both of you. For more on this check out the work of Elsa Sinclair.
For horses and humans alike there are not many things more healing than a good sleep. Supporting your horse towards a healthy dose of restorative paradoxical sleep is an essential part of his wellness and can improve his health in so many ways. Lack of sleep can also be indicative of changes needed in his internal or external environment to cultivate greater wellbeing physically emotionally and mentally over the long term. If we all slept well I have a feeling the world would be a happier and healthier place and I hope this article supports you and your horses towards a wellrested future!