Equine Sleep Patterns: How Horses Rest (and How to Help)
By Jon Conklin • Updated • 6–8 min read
Horses sleep in short bursts, nap standing, and only grab REM when they lie down. When travel, pain, or barn chaos steals those minutes, performance slips. Here’s how to recognize sleep debt and tune your routine for better rest and recovery.
What “Normal” Sleep Looks Like
Standing naps: Light sleep (dozing) thanks to the stay apparatus—short, frequent bouts throughout the day and night.
REM sleep on the ground: Horses need to lie down to hit deep REM. Expect brief sessions rather than long stretches.
Short cycles: Horses spread rest across many micro-naps rather than one long block like humans.
Many healthy adult horses rack up several hours of light sleep across 24 hours and a smaller amount of REM (often under an hour total) in short, lying-down bouts. Foals and seniors may need more.
Signs of Sleep Debt
Repeated knee-buckling “micro-collapses” when dozing standing.
Irritability, spookiness, or uncharacteristic anxiety under saddle.
Reluctance to lie down (pain, herd stress, footing issues, stall size).
Declining performance, slower recovery after work or hauling.
Barn & Show-Week Tactics
Environment
Provide dry, comfortable bedding and enough space to lie flat. Reduce overnight noise/light changes and stabilize turnout groups before big weeks.
Schedule
Keep feeding times consistent. Avoid late-night schooling unless you’re matching show hours. Plan quiet blocks after hauling.
If a horse rarely lies down, rule out pain (back, hocks, stifles), ulcers, or footing problems—and loop in your veterinarian as needed.
Comfort & Recovery Support
Comfort drives rest. After heavy work or travel, use sensation-free, show-safe topical care to keep post-ride routines calm. Gentle hand-walking and a predictable cool-down help the nervous system settle, making lying down more likely later.
Need a show-week rest plan? Reach out—we’ll keep it simple and show-safe for your crew.
Equine Sleep FAQ
Do horses sleep standing up?
They doze standing thanks to the stay apparatus, but they need to lie down for REM sleep. Provide safe footing and quiet time so they’ll lie down.
How can I tell if my horse is sleep-deprived?
Watch for knee-buckling dozes, attitude changes, reluctance to lie down, and slower recovery after work. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian.
What disrupts sleep at shows?
New neighbors, bright lights, late classes, frequent announcements, and pain from heavy work or hauling. Control what you can: routine, comfort, and calm post-ride care.
Are Draw It Out® products show-safe?
Our flagship gel is sensation-free and trusted by competitive riders. Always check current association rules and ingredient guidance.
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