Imagine this: It’s a Monday morning, and you have to get up early to go to school. But it’s so much more.
I want to go to bed a bit longer. Sadly, people can’t get to sleep standing up. They could take a break on their way to school or during holidays. You might be surprised to learn that horses can sleep standing up!
Do not fall asleep
Horses and humans have very different sleeping patterns. A person should sleep for 8 hours per night to fall asleep. It’s the same with horses.
Regardless, their sleep duration and rhythm depend on many factors. This includes where the horse lives, his feed, and how long they sleep. Although horses nap many times daily, they only do so for brief periods. They also tend to eat a lot.
You can also lie down standing. The horse can sleep standing up thanks to unique ligaments, tendons, and muscles system that allows its legs to support the body even when the muscles relax. A horse doesn’t necessarily have to lie down to fall asleep. Sometimes, sleeping up is more comfortable than lying down. This is because the pressure is applied to the horse’s internal organs. The animal doesn’t like this.
Scientists believe that horses dream during deep sleep, much like humans.
Sometimes, you can see the animal’s legs moving in sleep.
Can escape quickly
Wild horses need to sleep upright. If a predator is nearby and the horse is still lying up, it takes only a few seconds for the horse’s legs to cross over its shoulders, and then it can gallop away.
It would be much longer for the horse to lie down every time. This could prove fatal.
It would be wrong to assume that horses sleep only when standing. For complete rest, deep sleep is necessary. This sleep can be enjoyed by an animal only if it is lying down. It is important to remember that horses must have a dry place to sleep.
Horses will feel more relaxed and secure if they are safe.