It is my belief that a horse should live their lives they way God put them on this earth to, not in a stall. We as horse owners tend to want to "save the grass", or think our horses cannot survive in inclement weather. This couldn't be further from the truth. And we wonder why our horses have a higher rate of colic, respiratory issues or behavioral issues...there should be no surprise at all. Here is a good article in support of understanding the true needs of the horse as to their being in their natural born environment.
Living Requirements for Horses
By Cheryl McNamee Sutor, MHG
In today's world, a very large percentage of conventional
boarding environments are based more and more on the needs of the horse owners
than on the needs of the horse. These sacrifices, which are generally done to
make horse keeping more "convenient", are creating health problems
and reducing the equine's lifespan and natural healing abilities.
Most horse owners do not realize that the horse is very much
different from ourselves. We need to start taking the horse's natural lifestyle
into account and stop "humanizing" them. For example: Many horse
owners believe that their horse is most comfortable in a stall deeply bedded
with shavings or straw. However, this is not true (explained below). The horse
does not find comfort in many of the things that we conventionally provide it.
This article is intended to help you, as a horse owner or
student, to understand the proper natural environment in which horses are born
to live in. After all, the horse's environment plays the key role in it's
overall health and lifespan, and we all want the very best for our much-loved
horses.
When a horse is kept in a stall or otherwise confined, even
for brief periods, the heart becomes over-stressed which results in heart and
circulatory problems. In addition, due to this lack of circulation, the horse
begins to lose bone density, develop conformation flaws and the hooves begin to
deform. 24-7 freedom of movement is absolutely necessary to maintain the health
of your horse.
In addition to stalling being a health risk to your horse, I
also believe it to be a moraly incorrect arrangement. Many of us love our
horses to pieces, yet, we don't realize how much our horses being kept in 12x12
box stalls is comparable to a human inmate in an 8x8 prison cell. The horse
stands in the stall day-in and day-out with no real reason to live. It usually
cannot socialize through the stall walls and is unable to have enough movement to
maintain optimal health, both physically and mentally.
The bedding also plays a large role in the horse's overall
health. When a horse is traditionally bedded on wood shavings, those shavings
wick away moisture from the horse's feet, drying them out. Both shavings and
straw retain ammonia from the horse's urine, which futher break down and
destroy the hoof structure. Not to mention the decreased air-flow in a stalled
environment causing many types of respiratory problems in horses. Also, in the
wild, a horse who sleeps on soft footing does not survive because it is too
difficult to stand and run quick enough when a predator approaches. This fear
is not only present in wild horses, but just as much in our domesticated horses
too. They become mentally and physically imbalanced when kept in stalls.
Bad habits and behaviors may also develop due to boredom,
lack of herd environment, and lack of exercise. Horses that are stall-kept are
often found chewing wood, cribbing, pacing, pawing, weaving, head shaking, etc.
How often do you see wild horses or free-roaming horses exhibiting these
behaviors? Walk into a conventional boarding facility and a very large
percentage of the horses will have some degree of these behaviors.
The answer? Try finding an arrangement as close to 24-7
grass pasture and freedom of movement with a shelter or barn that you possibly
can. Allow the horse access to free-choice salt and mineral blocks that are
designed for horses. When you allow the horse to make it's own choices, whether
it wants to stand outside or inside at any given moment, you will find that
most horses will even stand outside in the rain and snow when given the choice.
Your horse's system will begin to work as it is intended by nature, and he will
live healthier, happier and longer because of it. Unless stall rest is
prescribed by a qualified veterinarian, allow your horse the freedom of
movement he needs and deserves for optimal health.
However, if you live in an area that is known to have free
roaming predators, be sure to take the proper measures to keep them out of your
horse's pasture. A strong, tall wire-mesh style of fencing will keep most
predators and animals out of your pastures.
