The Importance of Exercise for the Stabled Horse

Jul 27, 2011
Chris Thomas

Horses Benefit from Large Open Areas - C. Thomas

Horses are often placed into a stable for confinement and ease of management. Exercise of the horse whilst stabled should be considered.

Horses aren’t naturally supposed to be confined. They are a flight animal used to grazing over extensive terrain. There are times when the horse is confined however and the issue of exercise becomes a management concern.

Horses may be stabled:

On account of an injury and the need for restriction of movement
To keep out of a dirty paddock and to be kept clean
To keep warm
To isolate a sick horse
To treat a horse that is difficult to catch

Restricting the horse’s ability to exercise and be outside in sunlight can cause welfare concerns, particularly when the horse is often contained in a 12 x 12 foot area, for an extended period of time. Anyone managing horses should consider how they can allow the horse some time to freely exercise. This can be carried out a number of different ways.

Turning Out the Horse

If there is the room and it isn’t going to be detrimental to the horse, the possibility of turning them outside for an hour or two can be greatly beneficial. This can be done in the form of putting a horse in a yard or larger paddock so that they can stretch their legs and graze, if access to grass is available.

This is the most ‘natural’ form of confinement that can be offered to the domestic horse. Being able to turn horses out in groups can be better for them than alone – presuming that they aren’t going to hurt each other.

Walking the Horse

Hand walking the horse or making use of an automatic horse walker can be another way to allow the horse to stretch its legs. Unfortunately both of these methods dictate when, how long for and how fast the horse can go whilst also limiting the chance to move and graze.

Lunging the Horse

Whether free lunging or putting the horse on a lunge line, the act of lunging a horse can also help them to kick up their heels and stretch after being contained in a stall. It should be noted that work at a trot and canter on a diameter of less than 20 metres in a round yard can be quite strenuous. Fifteen minutes in either direction is suggested as a reasonable workout for the horse.

Whatever method is utilised will depend on facilities available and why the horse is being confined in the first place. Daily exercise where possible should be provided to the horse to encourage well being and decrease the likelihood of unwanted behaviour in the form of stereotypies.

Source:

Horses, a Guide to Selection, Care and Enjoyment, by J. Warren Evans. Copyright W. H. Freeman and Company, 1989. ISBN 0 7167 1971 1.
Horse and Stable Management, by Houghton Brown, Jeremy, Pilliner, Sarah and Davies, Zoe. Blackwell Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1 4051 0007 9.