Yes and no. Horses can catch light sleep or ‘doze’ while standing due to a unique arrangement of muscles and ligaments called the “stay apparatus”. However, for REM (deep) sleep, which is crucial for their overall health, they need to lie down.
Just like us, horses’ dietary requirements depend on their age, size, health status, and level of activity. However, a rule of thumb is that a horse should consume about 2% of its body weight in fodder each day, meaning a 1000-pound horse would eat about 20 pounds of food.
The frequency of riding a horse should be determined based on its health, age, fitness level, and the intensity of the rides. For a healthy, adult horse, a regimen of 4-5 days a week is often beneficial, providing a good balance of exercise and rest. Always remember, though, every horse is an individual and what works for one may not work for another.
