People often ask me if horses can sleep standing up, they are rarely seen sleeping lying down. It is very rare for me to see Chloe sleeping at all, she is busy and active, and we have only seen her lying down a half dozen times or so, and then usually in the mid-day sun. Today, I saw her sleeping right by the gate where we were working, it is the first time I’ve photographed her visibly sleeping.
Horses can sleep lying down or sleeping. Horses – donkeys as well – are prey animals, they come from an ancient life on the plains and prey animals are always in danger in the wild, always ready to run and hate to make themselves vulnerable. Some of them never lie down to sleep, some will doze in stalls if they are especially secure, or on the rises of hills.
In chilly weather, equines position themselves directly in the suns rays, you can always see where the sun is strongest (handy for photographers) by where a pony or donkey is standing.
Chloe was out grazing in the back all day, she deserved a good rest in the sun.