Annerly Wyatt Freelance Instructor/Trainer

And the NUMBER ONE post of 2022:

Horses sleep in three different positions: standing, semi-recumbent, and fully recumbent.

Each of these positions allow the horse to reach different levels of sleep.

1. Standing, which is the safest position for a prey animal, offers the lightest level of sleep.
This allows the horse to wake and run away quickly if in danger.
2. Semi-recumbent, as shown in the picture, is where the horse lays down, but with their legs underneath them.
This allows for a deeper sleep than standing, but their legs are still underneath them for a quick stand up and run away.
3. Fully recumbent is where a horse is laid flat out on their sides. This is the only position in which a horse can get to REM sleep - deep, restful sleep.

However due to the horse's body size, they can only lay fully out for 45 minutes a time or risk crushing internal organs.

In total, horses need anywhere from 30 min to 3 hours of REM sleep a day.

What happens if a horse doesn't get enough sleep? In the next post we'll go over common symptoms of a sleep-deprived horse.

Very interesting!

From my notes of a Lecture given by Philippe Karl Nov 2010

"How to bend...
Open the hand (turn the wrist) outward (45-90* can be achieved) make sure he keeps in self carriage and validate new position by jaw yielding – demi arret if you need.
Equilateral flexibility both sides – to increase the symmetry and suppleness of the whole spine. DONT USE THE INSIDE LEG. The first 10 vertabrae are the withers – no lateral flexibility. About the ribs there is slight rotation, Last part of the lumbar, very little, the sacrum, nothing as it is fused.

The movement originates in the undulation of the spine – R/L/R/L
You might maintain the neck bend – but not the back bend – if you try to bend the spine you just stop him and confuse him – he cannot do and he resists.

So flexing the neck is fundamental:
- when equally flexible both sides = straightness.
They are not straight, they are asymmetrical. Only by bending he neck can you get straightness developing".

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Here below a photo I am working on Lateral Flexibility in-hand in walk, asking for lightness and balance in right bend.

Straightening work begins with basic leading, then continues on the lunge and in-hand in the first schooling from the ground in the bridle. Lateral flexibility develops progressively from targetting work on symmetry while prpgressively asking the horse for self carriage in the line, the balance and the lightness.