Re: RC: Does Not Lie Down

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/27/99 5:15:18 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
psbrush@hotmail.com writes:

<< I have a horse, alpha mare, that will not lie down.  She roles like a 
 'normal' horse, after sweaty rides but will not lay down to rest.  I watch 
 her fall asleep on her feet and stumbly to her knees repeatedly but will not 
 lie down.  Does anyone else have a horse with this type of behavior?? >>

The not lying down is not in and of itself a concern in an adult horse, since 
it is quite normal for them to sleep on their feet.  Some will lie down to 
soak up sunshine on spring and fall days because it feels good, but they 
don't need to lie down to rest.  The fact that your mare gets down to roll 
shows that she can if she wants to, so I doubt that anything is really 
"wrong" in that respect.  As to the stumbly knees when she is sleeping on her 
feet--this may be a mild form of narcolepsy or a similar problem.  Yes, there 
are other horses out there with this "odd" sort of behavior (Dot Wiggins?  
are you out there??) but it doesn't seem to cause any problem for the horses.

Heidi


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