You may be aware of the powerful stride of a horse, but there are several things that you probably never gave much importance to. One of them is: Can horses sit or lie down?
So, have you ever seen a horse sitting down? It is perhaps one of the rarest sights, making you wonder why don’t horses sit if they lie down. It’s true that equines spend most of their time standing. They even rest while standing. However, a horse can definitely sit down with some assistance. Besides, they can also get into a sitting stature while getting up on their feet from a lying position.
In this article, we will be elaborating on how long can a horse lay down safely? Why does a horse lie down? Can horses sit down? Along with other related and equally interesting queries.
Can a Horse Sit Down?
Horses can not sit down without assistance. Yet, they can into a brief sitting position when getting up after laying down. Moreover, you can gradually train a horse to sit down by resting its weight on a sturdy object for stability. Nonetheless, a horse does not need to sit down to rest.
Anatomically, it is impossible for equines to bend their rear legs. Even if they do, they are likely to come crashing to the floor due to their weight and may sustain unavoidable injuries. No wonder, horses hardly ever put themselves in a vulnerable position.
Another reason that horses don’t sit down is the fact that they have several predators in the wild. Standing enables them to dart off to escape danger as soon as they sense it approaching. Nevertheless, the mighty animal can easily rest while standing throughout the day. So, while a horse can sit down with help, it finds no need to do so.
Can Horses Lie Down?
While horses can lie down, they neither lay too often nor do they remain in a lying position for extended periods of time. Doing so simply increases the risk of getting attacked by your predators, which the animal knows well to prevent. Moreover, when an equine lies down for deep sleep, it makes sure that at least two other horses are standing to keep guard.
Regardless, a horse lying down is pretty much a normal sight. The lying-down behavior is, in fact, a regular part of the animal’s sleep pattern. On the contrary, if you find a horse lying down for much longer than it should be, the situation could actually be alarming.
The behavioral pattern of a horse lying down can help horse owners determine their steed’s physical and mental health. Enlisted below are the primary reasons why horses lie down:
For REM Sleep
Horses require two to three hours of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep every day. This is impossible while they snooze in a standing position. Hence, the equine needs to lie down to sleep. Moreover, a horse lying down is more likely to achieve a deep level of slumber. Deeper sleep plays a pivotal role in preventing sleep deprivation and ensuring that its brain is functioning right.
For a Sun Bath
Horses lie down under the sun to relax, especially when they don’t feel threatened in an environment. Moreover, the horse can lie down in both upright and lateral positions as per their comfort.
Due to Illness
If horse is lying down too often or for longer periods, he’s probably in pain or feeling sick. As a matter of fact, horses that lie down for extended periods might be suffering from colic, musculoskeletal pain, or other health issues. The condition may also be indicating a physical abnormality in the animal that needs immediate veterinary attention.
Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?
Horses snooze while standing for a little while because these animals are a prey species. They’d rather stay alert to dodge predators instead of sitting or lying down to rest.
Contrary to common notion, horses can’t really sleep standing up. They only snooze in this position. For deep sleep they need to lie down. However, sleeping while lying down may make it challenging for the steed to get up on its feet to gallop swiftly away from danger. Therefore, these equines can rest while standing up. But, again, for REM or deep sleep, it is mandatory for a horse to lie down.
Also, the time horses spend in standing naps can vary depending on the situation they are in. For instance, a horse in the wild is likely to take a short standing nap as compared to a stallion in a stable.
How Are Horses Able to Sleep Standing Up?
Dozing off while standing is possible due to the stay apparatus in the horse’s kneecap, ligaments, and tendons in its legs. This allows the equine to lock three of its legs in place while resting the fourth one.
Furthermore, not only does the stay apparatus help in holding up the horse’s weight, it also prevents the massive animal from falling down during a snooze. Horses can even alternate between their resting legs without extra exertion on its leg muscles. This way, all of its legs can get a rest conveniently. It can, therefore, be said that the stay apparatus is an imperative survival mechanism for snoozing horses.
Remember, a horse lying down is unlikely to transition to a standing position quickly. Hence, it will stand for most of the day unless it feels comfortable and secure enough to get into any recumbent position.
FAQs Regarding Horses Sitting Down
Over the years, horses have fascinated humans with their magnificent appearances as well as their remarkable athletic abilities. Yet, when it comes down to whether a horse can sit or lie down, the answer may give birth to several more queries. We have made sure to solve those for you, too. Take a look!
If a horse happens to lie down for longer than usual, the situation can lead to adverse consequences. This mainly restricts the flow of blood to important organs as well as the animal’s limbs due to its weight. This in turn can cause reperfusion injuries to the horse when it tries to get on its feet again. In addition, the muscles and nerves may also face severe damage due to the excessive pressure of the equine’s size.
Apart from this, there are a couple of other reasons that may result in a horse lying down for extensive periods. These include general weakness, health problems like colic and laminitis, as well as neurological disorders and physical abnormalities.
A horse will not die if it lays down. But it can lead to certain issues if it lays for longer periods. Horses can lay down for around an hour or so without causing much trouble. But, when motionless, the heavy body of an equine puts pressure on its limbs and organs. This restricts the blood flow and the organs are, thus, barely able to function properly. Hence, if a horse lying down isn’t able to get to its feet after a considerable time period, it might die pretty soon.
It is indeed normal for a horse to lay on its side. However, the animal seldom rolls completely out sideways. Horses sleep best when lying partially on their side with their legs comfortably folded underneath them. Comparatively, young horses tend to sleep longer than adult horses while laying down on their side.
Although laying down indicates utmost comfort level, it is imperative to observe a horse lying down longer than usual for signs of medical concerns or injuries.
The most common way to get a horse up is to roll it over to the other side to renew its interest to stand. This should be done with the help of skilful handlers as it is not a one-person job. The process involves typing ropes and haltering the animal for a forward assist.
Also, when getting a down horse up, make sure to stand away from their legs as a rolling steed may accidentally kick or trap you underneath its weight when rolling over.
While giving birth, a mare is seen to shift its position several times from standing up, to lying down and rolling. This helps in preparing the foal for delivery. Then, with every contraction, the foal moves through the cervix to finally position itself in the birth canal.
Nevertheless, whether or not a horse is lying down while giving birth; there should be plenty of room for the delivery. Learn more about pregnancy in horses here.
If someone was to ask you, which animal does not sit? It won’t be wrong to answer: A horse! Horses can’t sit unless assisted, but they do lie down for short intervals. You may also happen to see a glimpse of its sitting position when the animal is rising from a laying down stance.
Now, why does a horse lie down when it can doze off while standing up? That’s because the animal can only achieve adequate REM sleep when it is lying down. Moreover, a horse may be reluctant to lie down if it feels insecure in a social situation or where it is prone to fall prey to other animals.
Steeds, therefore, rely on stay apparatus to rest when standing. This is a unique mechanism in horses that enables their legs to lock in place and prevent falling down. Nonetheless, even though a horse can lay down, it should not do so for extensive time periods. Consult a vet immediately to identify serious health issues if your horse seems unable to rise up after laying down.
