WE know that a lifestyle spent largely indoors, and alone, is a long way from what’s natural and healthy for horses. If a stabled horse looks happy and seems well, however, can we assume that he is satisfied with his surroundings?
According to equine behaviour expert Dr Orla Doherty MRCVS, a horse’s outward appearance may not be as revealing as we imagine.
“He may seem absolutely fine – looking over the stable door, apparently interested, with a shiny coat,” she says. “But we should ask ourselves, ‘What must it be like for him?’ Horses have a very high motivational drive to carry out certain behaviours, so denying them the opportunity to do so will have a big impact.”
Horses have evolved to do three things in particular: to eat, move and socialise.
“A horse would naturally spend at least 60% of his day grazing, rising to 90% on sparse pasture,” Orla says. “It is well established in scientific research that a horse would not voluntarily ‘fast’ for more than three to four hours. While we can satisfy his nutritional requirements in concentrated feed, we cannot bypass his instinct to be chewing and swallowing – yet many stabled horses finish their forage by late evening and are not fed again until the next morning.
“Naturally, a horse would be in almost continual locomotion, grazing and stepping forwards,” adds Orla. “He would move in a group and engage in interactions such as mutual grooming, but by stabling a horse we prevent these social behaviours. Ideally, a window or a low wall will allow nose-to-nose interaction; simply seeing a neighbouring horse from 12ft away is not thought to be of much value.”
TOY STORY
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 04, 2021-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 04, 2021-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change