Why do horses sleep standing up: Some people wonder if it is possible for them to rest while lying down, but the answer seems to be simple, although it is not as obvious as it might seem.
This information was reported by RBC-Ukraine, reports URA-Inform.
What's wrong with horses?
Studies of equine behavior show that these animals are indeed capable of lying down, although they usually resort to this position only in cases of extreme fatigue or illness. At the same time, in most cases horses prefer to rest while standing, and this involves balancing two key factors: the need for rest and sleep, and the readiness to react instantly to potential dangers in the environment. This behavior can be explained by the fact that the wild ancestors of horses, even before their domestication, lived in open spaces and had to be constantly on alert in order to survive.
Expert Opinion
As Michigan State University equine behavior expert Karen Waite explains, «sleep standing up — This is an adaptation to the threat of predators. By standing, horses can react faster and run away from danger. Scientists have also discovered that horses take a certain amount of time to get up, so it is much easier for them to start moving while remaining standing than getting up from the floor.
However, as animal behavior expert Dr Susan Hazel of the University of Adelaide in South Australia points out, horses can sometimes become so tired that they choose to lie down (especially if they feel safe).
What happens when they sleep standing up?
When horses stand for long periods of time, a natural mechanism allows them to relax their leg muscles and supporting apparatus, which makes it easier for them to stand and reduces stress on their joints. Thus, horses spend most of their time sleeping standing, but they do not achieve full REM sleep in this position, as Sarah Metlock, a senior lecturer in equine behavior at Colorado State University, points out.
All of the above is a response to the question of why horses sleep standing up. Despite this, horses need enough rest and sleep to maintain health, and therefore it is important for them to be able to lie down.
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