Sleep Deprivation

[Rose Folly]

One of our livery horses is thought to be suffering from sleep deprivation. He rolls, but has never, in 2+ years here, been seen to lie down. However, in a soothing situation(e.g. when being groomed prior to a ride, with quiet voices chatting and his horse friends about him) he will buckle at the knees and almost fall down. Have found some research on the internet about studies in USA, Australia and Canada, but it doesn't seem to be recognised in the UK. He is a 23-y-old 7/8 TB ex-dressage horse, bit of a nut case, kept with 2 mares, out in summer but stabled at night in winter. (He doesn't lie down in his stable either). Apparently he did lie down in his last livery, but he got cast his first day here, which may have made a big pyschological impact. We'd be most interested in any feedback. Thank you

 

[TarrSteps]

Is it simply that he hasn't been "caught" lying down or that there's no evidence he lies down? My own horse, now retired, has NEVER been seen lying down in 23 years, although we know he does.

It does sound very much like a "sleep disorder". Horses need very little REM sleep relative to people and many other animals, but, like all of us, they need what they need and not getting enough can have serious effects.

It could be that he is the one "on watch" most of the time in his herd - likely if he is the most naturally watchful - as many horses will not lie down to sleep unless someone else is standing guard. Apparently this applies even to stabled horses that can't see each other!

In observing horses that live out, they seem to do most of their proper sleeping during the morning, which makes sense if you're prey - after dawn, after eating, before the flies get bad etc. Is it possible the time he would naturally want to sleep is a particularly busy time when he feels he can't relax adequately?

Another common cause in older horses is pain. A horse that struggles to get up because of arthritis or similar may avoid lying down until its desperate, making for semi-permanent exhaustion.

 

[Sam22]

It is recognised in the uk but not heard of by many owners so thankyou for raising awareness. As I am sure you have discovered it is correctly called dysomnia, by far the most common reason for it is failure to lye down due to orthopeadic pain. At 23yrs it is highly likely he has arthritis in his leg joints. I would suggest you try him on a course of bute for at least 2 months and see if this makes any difference. Psychological causes can arise when a horse has social insecurities which are usually seen in geldings lacking the presence of a dominent mare or when the environment is so busy the horse doesn't get enough peace to sleep. Personally I think when it is seen in older horses and cannot be managed it is unfortunately a sign that you are unlikely to be able to maintain a good quality of life for much longer.

 

[Orangehorse]

An old farmer/dealer who had a lot of old horses and ponies (he kept his successful animals in retirement and one pony lived to 45) said that when they couldn't get up and down easily it is time to say goodbye. A horse that cannot get up without help from a human and is stuck on the ground feels very vulnerable and frightened as it is a prey animal. I suppose that some very laid back animals wouldn't mind and would just wait until someone turned up, if they could eat, but I think most would be distressed.

 

[Achinghips]

One on my yard had this diagnosis about a month ago. Exactly the same symptoms. Horse is now brought in to stable more for deeper sleeps during the day when its hot - works a treat.

 

[fatpiggy]

I often see my 27 year old swaying with her nose resting on the ground as a fifth leg, and yes she has arthritis. She does lie down at night when in during the winter, and although I haven't seen her down in the field for some years (she has to lie flat out as she can't bend her knees much at all) there is a line of disturbed fur on her left side, so I suspect she is doing her sleeping when the night is at its darkest. I can't understand why it seems to be a new thing over here. Our fellow riders across the Pond have been commenting on it for years! I have a bad back which makes sleeping hard so I often have to catnap at lunchtime to make up for only 4 or 5 hours at night.

 

[Tangaroo]

My boy also suffers from this. He never lies down and he will buckle at the knees when he sleeps and falls over, sometimes damaging the front of his fetlocks and between his front legs. The vet said he has narcolepsy.
I make sure he has a deep bed and at this time of year he comes in for 4 or 5 hours to give him a chance to rest and fall over on a soft bed if need be.
He wears turnout boots at night to protect his fetlocks.
He is only 13 and its not an arthritis problem, he events at pre novice level and does elementary dressage.
I am aware though that it probably will get worse with age and he wont live into his twenties i shouldnt think.