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  Discussion on Sleepy Equine..zzzzzzzzz
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Member:
jewel549

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 3:31 am:

I have three horses total, a full quarter horse, paint and thouroughbred/percheron mix. The paint and percheron lived together for about a year. Just recently I bought the quarterhorse. The paint horse has been alpha horse the whole time, but the quarterhorse has taken second in the pecking order, obviously leaving the percheron last. Recently the percheron has been sleeping a lot more. Just the other day she slept for three hours (not flat) but with her legs folded under. A time before that she was laying down flat long enough that the quarterhorse came over pawed at her and made her get up. The percheron also has a tendency to graze by herself now. She still drinks/eats plenty, is still very social with humans, but I wonder.....is she depressed? This is what she acts like?! Is she the odd horse out now? Is there something more that I should be looking into? Looking forward to everyones help!
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 7:48 am:

How old is the percheron? At my barn, there's an older mare, about 25 yo and I've noticed her sleeping a lot more frequently, longer and more soundly. She'll lie down on her side with legs straight out. She's freaked me out a few times, but otherwise, she's very healthy, eating well, etc. The owner had the vet out for spring check ups and shots and the vet reassured her that it wasn't unusual for an older horse to sleep more. We're also unscientifically speculating that after a very dreary spring, the old girl is just really enjoying some warmer weather and sunshine.

Don't know if that helps or not, but if you're unsure, I would have a vet out to look at her.
Member:
sonoita

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 10:42 am:

I am wondering if the percheron is the alpha. My horse which is the alpha is the one that lays down the most and he also grazes the best areas. He lays down and the other one stands guard.
Happy Trials
Member:
erika

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 2:07 pm:

Maybe the QH is not letting the Perch rest for long enough. Equus had an article recently on sleepy horses that don't get enough deep sleep. He may be just trying to catch up when he can.

Or, as Fran says, maybe it just feels good to lie down after a long winter! Mine have been napping in the sun a lot in the last couple of nice days.
Member:
jewel549

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 - 12:51 am:

Thanks for everyones post so far!!

To answer the questions....

Fran: They are all 4-5 years old. The percheron is the youngest (I think..the lady I bought her from was not sure on the year). The percheron is no older than five years.

Wanda: The percheron is NOT the alpha, she is the lowest on the chain. The paint is alpha the quarterhorse is second, percheron third. The percheron is the one that grazes on her own and sleeps the most.

Erika: I don't think the QH is restricting the percheron's sleep. The QH is the one that woke her up from lying flat too long, almost as if she was watching out for her. I will have to look up the back issues of Equus and see what if I can find. I don't get time to read much anymore, usually to busy with work and all the hands on work the horses require! In response to your last comment......maybe the percheron is the smart one...who doesn't like to lay in the sun and snooze!!

Thanks for everybody's input. I will continue to monitor them, need to schedule vaccinations soon and will ask the vet about it then. Was just curious if anyone else was experiencing this!

THANKS AGAIN!
Member:
muffi

Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 7:07 pm:

I agree with Wanda but those are just my horses - I have two and the Alpha one lies down - EVERY DAY when the ground is dry for about an hour in the sun. Its quite commical to see his head slowly bob down (lying on side ish with legs tucked) then his nose hits the ground then Up he goes again. then some times he will go on his side flat out. the other stands guard for him. But our story is that at nite the Other sleeps in the Straw inthe Barn - the Alpha watches him most of the nite. I do belive the Alpha gets some sleep inthe barn at nite but he is not totally comfortable inside so he gets his catch up outside.
perhaps your Percheron Gal is just not getting enough quality Zzz time at nite. with the change in the pecking order perhaps it's her duty to stand guard all nite? that article is very good by the way it may help you figure our your particular Case.
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