Do Horses Lay Down Yes The Horse Lying Facts Revealed

Horses can sleep while standing and with their eyes open!Horses are fascinating creatures and have contributed to our world in many ways. For people who are not familiar with the grandeur and majesty of these animals, the sleeping patterns of a horse can be quite baffling!Horses are trusty, old friends to many families and means of transport for others. While some horse enthusiasts may be familiar with the knowledge that horses sleep while standing, there are many that do not know that they also lie down! Horses only tend to nap while standing. In fact, a few bales of fresh shavings need to be constantly added to the stalls where horses are kept, so that the animal is comfortable and can catch up on some much-needed deep sleep. Not only does a horse lay down when in need of some proper rest, but it is also likely to lie on its side when it has to give birth. Keep reading for the most fascinating facts about horses and their sleeping habits!If you enjoy reading this article, why not also check out horse facts and do horses sweat here at Kidadl!How long can horses go without laying down?A horse sleeps standing only when the animal is in need of some light sleep. When in need of some deep sleep, on the other hand, this beautiful creature is likely to lie down and catch up on some REM sleep. While evolutionary habits deny horses the ability to be able to catch on long durations of REM sleep, it is important for a horse to lie down and have a few short spurts of deep sleep during the day and night!It is somewhat common knowledge that horses sleep while standing. However, since most pet parents have hardly seen their huge friends lying down, they sometimes wonder if these animals ever lie down or if they only sleep while standing up. Well, the answer is that horses can spend a long time without feeling the need to sit down. This is because these animals and their anatomy are built in such a way after years of evolution that a horse’s body cannot function as well when it is lying down. It functions better when standing. In fact, if a horse spends too much time lying down, it can actually harm the animal, and all its physiological processes can be affected. While a horse can spend a lot of time without having to lie down, it cannot go for too many hours without sleep.While it is normal behavior for horses to stand while sleeping, such sleep only counts as a nap. Horses, being active creatures, also require sufficient amounts of exercise in order to sustain life and a healthy balance. REM sleep in horses can only be achieved when the animal is lying down. Horses lie on the ground and acquire some deep REM sleep only for around 5-10 minutes, which can sometimes also reach up to 30 minutes. However, for a horse to lay on the ground for longer durations would be absolutely detrimental to the health of the animal. This is because it is only for such short periods of time that a horse’s body can endure the act of lying on the ground. A horse lying on the ground for too long is likely to suffer from various kinds of distress, including breathing trouble, digestion issues, and even muscle tears. An upright position is most suited for this animal’s physiological processes, while deep sleep while lying down is just as important!Is it normal for a horse to lay on its side?Adult horses, as well as young ones, are too heavy, and their bodies are built in such a way that these animals can hardly lie down if not on their sides. If a horse was to sleep lying on its back, it is likely that the animal would develop several health issues, including breathing troubles. Hence, when in need of deep sleep, most horses lie down and have their own kind of extreme relaxation.Large animals, such as horses and camels, usually prefer to lie on their sides to ensure that their legs do not suffer under the immense weight of their bodies.How often do horses lay down?It is rather rare to spot a horse lay in its stall since these animals have evolved in a way that requires constant supervision. Since these animals are usually preyed upon in their natural habitat, horses spend most of the hours of the day standing up and usually doze off in the same position as well. In fact, horses not only remain standing while taking short naps during the day but also have the ability to keep their eyes open even throughout these naps.Horses sleep for about two to three hours a day. This does not include light sleeping. To think that this animal requires only such short amounts of deep sleep in spite of their rather healthy and active lifestyle is baffling. However, while standing up, horses make up for some of this lack of sleep.Horses can sleep for only about 5-15 minutes at a stretch, and they start experiencing muscle pain and tension once the time duration exceeds such limits. It is also against the habitual tendencies of this animal to spend long durations of time sleeping since it could give predators more of a window for launching an attack.Since these animals catch up on their two to three hours of deep sleep in short bouts, you may spot your horse lying down in its stall quite a few times during the day or night. There is no set number of times that can tell us exactly how frequently these animals need their rest. Understandably, the number of hours for which a horse may lay in its stall will be different for each species. While some may require fewer hours of rest, other horses may want to give their legs some rest more often. Scientists, researchers and horse owners also agree that the number of hours horses spend sleeping or the sleep pattern of the animal is largely dependent on its age and health as well. An older horse is likely to have a sleep pattern that accommodates deeper sleep for longer durations of time and hence would lie down more frequently than a young horse.How do you get horses up when they are down?REM sleep can often be longer in duration, and the animal may wake up in such a situation when it cannot get up. This is especially true in the case of older horses. Horses lying down for REM sleep are understandably harder to raise since they tend to throw their legs around and kick. Some horses even tend to refuse to stand when they are sick or haven’t been getting proper sleep. If you notice any problems in your pet’s sleeping pattern or want to help them stand up after proper rest, it is best to make sure that you stay away from their hind legs. When a horse sleeps lying down, the animal struggles with musculoskeletal pain. Hence, gently rolling the animal over to the other side is enough motivation for it to try to stand up on its own.Sick horses also tend to have a compromised stay apparatus, and hence, cannot get up. If you think it is a disease that is causing your horse to lie down more often, contact a trusted veterinarian and have a consultation about the most plausible course of action.At the end of the day, it also becomes the responsibility of pet parents to make sure that their horse is healthy and hasn’t been suffering from any sleep deprivation. Make sure that if your horse wants to lie down and catch up on some rest, it has proper bedding in its stall to sleep on. As common as it is that horses sleep standing, their REM sleep should not be compromised at any cost!Here are some bonus fun facts. Animals such as elephants and zebras can also sleep while standing since they have a stay apparatus that is similar to that of a horse. Also, a horse can also be lying down more often or roll around when it has a disease called colic. Furthermore, a horse can be raised or motivated to raise through gentle nudges and by rolling it over to its side.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Do horses lay down? Yes! The horse lying facts revealed!’ then why not take a look at ‘Narcissus flower meaning and symbol facts Explained!’, or ‘Are fish mammals? Here’s the truth on aquatic animal!’?  

Horses can sleep while standing and with their eyes open!