Horse Behavior - What is Normal
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When we think of horse behavior, we tend to think of it in terms of bad behavior— the stuff that's inconvenient or even dangerous. However, normal horse behavior isn't all about misbehavior. Here's what an average horse does on an average day.
Horses spend a surprising amount of time moving around. Studies have found that even when in a stall, the average horse moves around about as much as one in a pasture — just in a much smaller space. This moving around includes things like, going between food sources and water or finding sunny or sheltered areas to stand. Horses are also very habitual, so they tend to move along the same paths, at the same times every day.
Eating takes up a major portion of a horse's day, especially if they have access to pasture. Eating can take up more than half of a horse's time. They eat day and night if pasture or free choice hay is available. Some anecdotal observations suggest that horses are most likely to have small drinks shortly after a meal. Of course, what goes in must come out. So horses spend some time pooping and urinating. They do both about an average of eight times a day, although they may urinate somewhat fewer times.
Horses do spend time just chillin' with their buddies every day, whether they stand in the shade, swapping tails to swish off the flies, or do a little sunbathing. When lying out for a rest, several horses may lie down at the same time, with one or two standing watch. Even though our horses have been domesticated for about six thousand years, their instincts still make them wary of possible predators.
Horses may develop close friendships among themselves, but they also form herd hierarchies, with one or two horses that are leaders and others that may be under-dogs. Sometimes these hierarchies can cause problems when we keep horses in small spaces, where the underdog may be relentlessly harassed. This is less of a problem in wild horse herds, because once a hierarchy is established, all herd members understand their place. When we add and subtract horses from herds, or even just change paddocks, the herd must re-adjust the pecking order, leading to scuffles and spats. Wild horse herds usually have a lead mare, and a stallion, but in our pastures, mares or geldings may be the leader.
Horses aren't all work and no play. Many horses are playful, especially youngsters. They may play amongst themselves, and many owners are frustrated to find their horses have ripped halters off in a game of tug 'o' war. Horses will play with objects too. Balls, old plastic containers, pylons and small tires are a few 'safe' toys you can leave for a horse. Some are stall Houdini's and will play with stall latches until they escape, or knock down every piece of equipment within reach.
Of course, our domestic horses often develop unwanted behaviors such as cribbing, weaving and stall walking. Some may be genetically predisposed to these behaviors, others may develop them in response to the way they've been stabled and cared for. These aren't normal behaviors. And by keeping our horses happy by providing as much turn out time as possible, and providing good nutrition, we can help prevent these annoying and potentially damaging vices.
Image Credit: © Dragonika | Dreamstime.com |
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