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Like Living in the Wild: Natural Equestrian Homes
by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

Modernizing a horse’s environment to convenience the needs of humans could have damaging effects on the health of our horse companions. In order to maintain the physical and mental well being of your horse it is important to become familiar with how a horse lives in its natural environment. Making changes to your barn or landscape so that it reflects a horse’s natural environment could improve your horse’s overall health while adding visual interest to your already existing barn or stable.

It is unfortunate that through years of domesticating horses we have in some ways stripped them of their natural way of life. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we have modified our horse’s environment to suit our own needs, adding convenience to the care of our horse and to our lifestyle as horse owners. If horses were meant to be confined to a 14' x 14' stall for several hours a day, for example, then we would not see wild horses roaming in open pasture. If horses were meant to be solitary creatures then they would not develop a complex social structure within their herd. These are merely a few of the restrictions we have placed on horses through years of domesticating these animals.

Leaning the lifestyle of a horse in its natural environment is the first step to determining what types of modifications are needed within your own barn or landscape. Once you are satisfied with the information that you have gathered, you can begin drafting a solid plan to create a natural environment for your horse. Whether you choose to make simple changes to feeding or social structure, or prefer a more elaborate change to the structure of your landscape, the options to choose from are vast and can fit within any budget.

“If you do not have a natural water source on your property, consider installing a mock-pond to allow your horse to get its feet wet and cool off on hot days.”

A few key elements to consider before developing a plan to modify your barn or landscape include a horse’s natural temperament, and their physical and mental needs. A horse’s physique is critical to its survival in its natural environment. In the wild horses are prey species that need to keep a constant lookout for predators. Their eyes are placed high on top of their head to give them a significant peripheral view with minimal blind spots. A horse’s eyes have relatively good acuteness, allowing them to focus on objects that are at a distant range as well as being sensitive to slight movements. Even when their head is positioned downward while feeding a horse is always attentive to its surroundings as a means of survival. If a predator is spotted, a horse’s natural ability to run quickly aids them in outrunning predators.

Living in a herd not only adds protection from predators in the wild, it also complements a horse’s need for social interaction. Horses are highly social animals that develop a complex social structure within the herd. If you are only housing one horse at your barn, consider adding a companion. Without social interaction a horse may become disgruntled, lack the natural exercise they get from playing with other horses, or develop behavioral problem from boredom.

These problems could also occur if a horse is kept confined to a stall for a large portion of the day. Horses in the wild are constantly moving. They can cover a large area in one day through grazing in pasture or roaming with their herd. It is not their nature to be confined as many of our horses are today. Providing your horse with plenty of outdoor activity with the option to take shelter as desired could help the overall mental stability of your horse while preventing behavioral problems from developing.

One mistake that is commonly made involves feeding. Placing your horse’s hay at shoulder height is not the natural position for your horse to feed. In fact, allowing your horse to feed in this position may do more harm than good, making it difficult for your horse to digest its food as well as causing neck strain. A horse is meant to feed off the ground with its neck lowered. Repositioning your horse’s hay is one step toward modifying your horse’s environment to suit its natural way of life.

One other simple modification that can be made to improve your horse’s health is allowing your horse to walk around without shoes. Horseshoes may restrict blood flow and proper circulation through the horse’s body. Horseshoes could also damage the hoof by preventing its normal functioning and making it easier for bacteria to enter, causing infection. In addition, if your horse constantly wears shoes it may not allow an adequate amount of moisture to access your horse’s hooves. In the wild you will often see horses standing in shallow water as they drink, allowing their hooves to be re-hydrated. Adding shoes to your horse could inhibit this natural process.

If you are interested in making more drastic modifications to your horse’s environment, don’t be afraid of creativity. Modifying the landscape of your pasture could add beauty to your yard while making your horse feel right at home with its natural environment. If you do not have a natural water source on your property, consider installing a mock-pond to allow your horse to get its feet wet and cool off on hot days.

Adding obstacles to your pasture could not only add visual interest, but could also add spice to your horse’s daily routine. Why allow your horse to become bored on flat pasture when it could find shade beneath trees, walk around boulders and streams, or along trails? There are also ways to add an open shelter to your pasture where your horse could come and go as it pleases while taking a break from the elements. When it comes to modifying your landscape, a little creativity could make a big difference.

Many of the practices that are used today to help care for horses have been designed to convenience the owner, but do not necessarily benefit the health and well being of the horse. By understanding how a horse functions in its natural environment we are able to determine what changes should be made within our own barn or pasture. With a little creativity and proper planning you can create an environment that both sparks visual interest and improves the health of your horse.

Like Living in the Wild: Natural Equestrian Homes by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

Like Living in the Wild: Natural Equestrian Homes
by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article