Horses not lying down

[Annagain]

We (nearly our whole yard, 7 horses, 5 owners) moved yards in September (as old yard is on the market and we had a chance to all go somewhere together). The new yard is lovely, the horses are very settled (all moving together helped with that, I think). The horses started coming in overnight about 2 weeks ago and so far, only one of them is lying down overnight. Other than my old boy, who had a huge stable before and still has a very generously sized stable, they all have bigger stables than before, they all have plenty of bedding. The only real difference is they're all in a barn rather than external stables. They otherwise seem very settled, eating well, no trashed stables (except the one who's always trashed a stable). It just seems really weird that it's all of them and not just one or two? If it was just Archie, I'd be especially worried as he's nearly 30 but it's not and judging by the state of his rug, he's clearly lying down and rolling in the field. I've also seen him rolling plenty recently and he still rolls all the way over and gets up really easily.

Any ideas? Is it just a question of time?

 

[Roxylola]

It's very mild this year. Perhaps they're sleeping more outside than previous years

 

[Polos Mum]

How easily can they see each other in the current barn?

I wonder if they are feeling a touch unsettled still and sleeping outside when they are all together (and hence protected as a herd).
Lying down "on your own" is risky as there is nobody to watch out for the predators.
It might not be mega stress - just it feels that 1% more comfortable to sleep in a strange place while one of your herd is watching out for you.

I have one that only sleeps outside - I know he sleeps most days as I can see him, I also know he very rarely lies down in his stable. He will start to sleep more inside if the weather dictates they have to be in more - but his preference is outside.
Conversely when I got the last yearling - he was knackered playing in the herd all the time and slept constantly in the stable. He now does a mix .

 

[Annagain]

How easily can they see each other in the current barn?

I wonder if they are feeling a touch unsettled still and sleeping outside when they are all together (and hence protected as a herd).
Lying down "on your own" is risky as there is nobody to watch out for the predators.
It might not be mega stress - just it feels that 1% more comfortable to sleep in a strange place while one of your herd is watching out for you.

I have one that only sleeps outside - I know he sleeps most days as I can see him, I also know he very rarely lies down in his stable. He will start to sleep more inside if the weather dictates they have to be in more - but his preference is outside.
Conversely when I got the last yearling - he was knackered playing in the herd all the time and slept constantly in the stable. He now does a mix .

Very easily - 3 on one side and 4 on the other in a rectangular barn - the one that's slightly on his own (opposite the entrance so nobody directly opposite him) is the one lying down. Maybe that's it - they're disturbing each other as they're that much closer? They were on an L shape yard before so never had anyone directly opposite them?

Something else that's just hit me is whether they're just too busy eating. They have less grass at this yard (not a bad thing for 5 out of the 7!) and with all the rain we've had, the field is muddier than they're used to. The haylage is also better than the old yard and smells so much nicer. They don't appear to be eating more (I'm giving them the same volume and they seem to eat the same amount as at the last yard) but I wonder if they're constantly nibbling rather than eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping because they don't get bored of the taste?

 

[Barton Bounty]

BB never used to lay down in his stable, ever .. he did in the field all the time.

Orbi lays down every night judging by his rug

It doesnt sound like anything is upsetting them, maybe they just are not quite comfortable yet or maybe they all like to keep an eye on each other now they can see each other

 

[Britestar]

I have one who only lies down outside. In the 12 yrs he's been here, I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen evidence of him lying inside.

Another does not lie at all now. She's 31, and stopped earlier in the year.

All the rest are sleep monsters inside.

 

[Peglo]

Something else that's just hit me is whether they're just too busy eating. They have less grass at this yard (not a bad thing for 5 out of the 7!) and with all the rain we've had, the field is muddier than they're used to. The haylage is also better than the old yard and smells so much nicer. They don't appear to be eating more (I'm giving them the same volume and they seem to eat the same amount as at the last yard) but I wonder if they're constantly nibbling rather than eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping because they don't get bored of the taste?

I was going to say they may be using indoor time to eat if there’s more food in the stable than field so sleeping outside instead.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Are they out more this year than previously? Thinking like the others they may be sleeping more outside

 

[marmalade76]

IME with my own horses was that they were more settled in stables that look straight to the outside and less relaxed in indoor stables. They probably just need a bit more time to settle in and get used to the change.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Do you have stable chains? They are great as they can see each other while lying down.

 

[Jenko109]

Another does not lie at all now. She's 31, and stopped earlier in the year.

Is this not a concern?