My Explanation

For writing this term Room 18 have been working on explanations. Here is mine.

Why horses sleep standing up

A horse is a solid-hoofed plant-eating domesticated mammal with a flowing mane and tail, used for riding, racing, and to carry and pull loads. Sleep is a condition of body and mind which typically occurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed and the muscles relaxed . Horses sleep in a couple of different positions.

Horses sleep both standing up and lying down. Horses can get a lot of sleep while standing up, but they lie down when they require REM sleep. Typically, the amount of REM sleep they require is very small, so they don't need to lie down often. However, many horses lie down just because they feel comfortable or want to do so. The reason horses can sleep while standing for most of their sleep cycle is because it allows them to quickly escape an attack by a predator without having to waste time standing up (which can be a slow process compared to a predator attack). The method by which horses stand while sleeping is called the "stay apparatus," and it's a system of ligaments and tendons that keep them upright with relative ease.

Horses like using the buddy system for sleeping.The buddy system is where one horse watches over the others while they're sleeping. The role of watch horse will rotate as each member of the herd gets the sleep they need, including lying down for necessary REM sleep. Many horses adopt this kind of rotation when they're in their home barn setting, either in a paddock or in a stall next to their regular neighbours.

Mature horses most frequently sleep in a standing position. The sleeping habits of horses are somewhat different than humans. Most human sleep is usually a long stretch of about eight hours in a 24-hour day. Horses rest for short periods during the day  more frequently. They are not strictly nocturnal, and they are not diurnal, like most humans. Horse’s sleeping patterns change depending on their age. Foals lie down for frequent naps and spend about half of their day sleeping until they are about three months old. As the foal gets older, the frequency of the naps becomes less, and they are more likely to stand rather than lie down. The weather can make a big impact on how a horse sleeps. During really cold, wet and nasty weather, your horse may not be able to get comfortable enough to sleep. Bringing your horse in or making sure it isn't harassed when trying to nap in a run-in will help your horse relax.  Your horse needs a comfortable secure place to rest, whether it is stabled or kept our on pasture .

Hope you learnt something. Bye now!