AMA: My New Boarding Barn’s Routine Is Weird. Or Am I Weird?
I moved my horse to a new boarding facility. The last one was very strict about feed and turnout times, this new one is not and it can vary by hours. Should I be worried about this change for my horse?
Horses, even in the wild, are creatures of habit. Studies have shown that horses thrive on a regular and consistent routine for their feeding and exercise schedule. This is an important factor to keep in mind when dictating a schedule, traveling to shows, or bringing a new horse into your barn or program. While it may not be a big deal for you to miss a meal or get to the gym an hour later than usual, these seemingly minor changes can have an adverse affect on your horse’s well-being.
At their instinctual core, horses are flight animals. As prey animals, horses possess an inherent instinct to choose flight over fight in most scenarios. For this reason, a solid daily routine can help calm the nerves that are often brought about from this flight instinct. A routine becomes synonymous with security. Of course, it is nearly impossible to stick to the exact same routine some days, especially with a horse that competes. However, doing your best to mimic your at-home routine while you’re on the road will reduce the risk of anxiety and nerves in your horse.
From a health standpoint, horses thrive on consistent feeding schedules. Consistency and careful management is important when combating or preventing ulcers. A consistent frequency of feed can help buffer stomach acid, which in turn can help prevent ulcers. If you have an especially sensitive or anxious horse, being aware of his feeding schedule and managing it accordingly can take a weight off of your shoulders knowing that you have found a healthy routine.
AMA:
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