Horse Lying Down?

[AnnaClaire]

Hi,

I've had a horse before but never kept one at home until now. My two new horses arrived today and they've settled in very well. However, I just went outside to check on them and one is lying down. The other is keeping watch. I guess I didn't expect them to just lie down within the first two hours of having them home. Is this a stress thing? Anyone know why he would do this?

Thank you for any info.

 

[southerncomfort]

Congratulations!

This is generally how horses rest. One will sleep while the other keeps watch.

However, given they've just arrived I'd be keeping a bit of an eye on them just in case of any colic symptoms especially if they had a long journey.

 

[nikicb]

Congratulations on your new horses! I would guess they are just feeling nice and relaxed which is great. My mare virtually always lies down to sleep even if we are away at a competition and she has never been there before. But as southerncomfort says, just keep an eye. It's lovely having them at home, you will really get to know them well. x

 

[Laika]

From what I understand and this could be wrong, I think they keep an eye on one another when they rest, similarly to how they would in the wild.

My old Exmoor would conk right out, it was very cute but did worry me at first when she didn't lift her head when I called. She was very much just away with the fairies.