Lavender and other things that help your horse sleep

Explore the benefits of lavender oil to help your horse sleep!

A good night’s sleep is essential for all horses, with sleep deprivation affecting performance and physical and mental health status. So, we’ve investigated some ideas to help your horse sleep right through the night!

Lavender

Humans have reaped the benefits of lavender for improving sleep quality for years. Lavender is now commonly used in a range of sleep aids and bathing products. However, only in the past few years has it come to light that it may also benefit the sleep of our horses.

Studies investigating the effect of inhaling lavender, as an essential oil, on horse behaviour and stress response offer positive results. Having your horse inhale Lavender oil for just seven minutes, can decrease stress levels, and heart rate. It can also help relax and improve behaviours such as lowering the neck, licking, and chewing. When repeated with water vapour and even chamomile, the effects were nowhere near as relaxing!

Therefore, introducing lavender-based products within your daily routine, with emphasis on just before you put them to bed, may assist them settling down for the night and achieving quality sleep. Try a few drops of the essential oil on their rug, or hot-clothing them a lavender-based product.

Encourage Lying Down

Encouraging lying down is also important for your horse to receive the full benefits of sleep. Without lying down, your horse will not be able to achieve REM sleep, the deepest period of sleep required to process the day. REM sleep is essential and without it, your horse can quickly suffer from symptoms of sleep deprivation.

Thicker dry bedding may make it more tempting for your horse to rest their heads. For the messier horses, putting down rubber matting could be an idea, transforming a cold, concrete floor into an area a bit more inviting. Banking remains a popular choice to help keep the horse away from the walls, helping prevent him or her from becoming cast. Banks can still be used on matting and can help when mucking out.

Making sure your horse’s stable is a peaceful environment will also help him or her feel safe and therefore, rested. If your horse prefers a quieter area, ask the livery manager if you are able to move stables (if in a high traffic area).

Music

Studies suggest that playing music can also benefit your horse’s sleep quality. Drowning out potential crashes and bangs in the yard surroundings, music can provide a relaxing backing track to your horse’s life.

Make sure the music remains fairly consistent in tune, without sharp tempo changes or sudden noises—classical playlists are best.