Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by Allison Price
Have you ever wondered what your horse does at night in his stable?
This 8-minute film captures 8 hours in the life a stabled horse using a time-lapse camera. This film is 8 minutes long, but I recommend it. It gives a great idea of how boring it must feel for horses to be kept in a small room with water and their own urine.
Horse owners often believe that their horses sleep all night. However, horses only sleep for around 4 hours per 24hr and may sleep some during the day. Horses can spend hours in the stable, doing nothing – which is not healthy for an animal that evolved to move continuously and travel between 30-100 m per day. It is not surprising that horses often run over or barge their owners in order to get up in the morning.
You should ensure your horse is able to socialize with other horses if he needs to be kept in a stable for long periods. You can find great tips in my article about how to make your horse happy.
Our responsibility is to ensure that our horses are happy and healthy. Providing mental stimulation is essential if horses can’t move freely. Access to a field, or other outdoor space for them to roam in is essential. It’s also important to allow them to interact with their equine friends.
