Horse is tired???

pistolpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 July 2009
Messages
5,819
Visit site
My horse was living in kept in from 3pm to roughly 7am now living out 24/7. Seems really tired! How long to get used to it do you think.
 
My mare doesn't lie down to sleep if out, takes her a few weeks to get used to being out, I usually bring her in for a while each day and she sleeps.
 
Are you continuing to feed hay? There's not much nutrition in the grass at this time of year., even if you're lucky enough to have lots of it! Is the horse maintaining body weight and condition adequately? If so, probably just chillin'!
 
when we would stick the horses out 24/7 after being in (TO every other day) over the winter at the yard I used to work on-they would take a few days to adjust. They'd often conk out when we bought them in.
 
When I had mare, foal/yearling and a young gelding in a field 12/24, the foal and gelding used to sleep in their stables nearly all the time, even to the point of needing to eat out of bucket while still lying down, but I don't recall droopy eyes. I assumed it was related to youth, just as teenage boy needs to sleep in on a Saturday morning.
 
Last edited:
It is very normal for living out horses to get sleepy. Some dont sleep as well in field, particularly if weather bad, or new herd group.

They do normally adjust.

Mine live out. My sharer didnt ride a few weeks ago, as horse came in and was yawning and shutting eyes. He does it a lot, but wakes up once tacked up.
 
Yes my boy used to yawn a lot, after his sleeping all the time stage, I was not sure if it was muscular or teeth related. He also made quite a fuss about stretching and so on, the only time he was energetic was when he was coming in for a feed in winter.
 
Only moved on Saturday so early days. Used to yawn a lot in his stable. Not seen him yawn here yet! Only turned out with one pony but was in with sheep first.
 
Top