Is It Cruel To Keep A Horse Stabled?

I was leaning on the fence of the pasture, watching my horse run around in the cool autumn weather.

She looked so happy and free, content as peaches, wandering and grazing in the grass.

Taking deep breaths of fresh air in my lungs, I felt grateful to have the option of keeping her somewhere she has plenty of space and time to roam free, as well as a clean stall to sleep in at night when the temperature drops far too cold for comfort.

I know some folks who keep their horses stabled the majority of the time.

Thinking about my horse being stuck inside a stall all alone, I couldn’t help but wonder, is it cruel to keep a horse stabled?

No, it is not cruel to keep a horse stabled. Ideally, there is a healthy balance of stable and pasture time, dependent on weather and your horses’ health. There are many factors to consider when deciding how much time your horse should spend in the stable and in the field.

 The most important question to ask when deciding whether or not to stable your horse is, what does your horse think?

Horses are hearty animals who are a lot tougher than we think.

They’re also herd animals, so being constantly kept alone in a stall can be pretty damaging to their emotional health.

It’s up to you to find the perfect balance for your horse.

How Long Should a Horse be Kept in a Stable?

How long your horse should be kept in a stable is completely dependent on the time of year and the condition of your horse.

Often it’s best to allow your horse the full day outside, coming in only at night for sleeping.

Yet in the height of summer, it could be better to keep your horse stabled during the day, to be let out overnight when they won’t be expending energy finding shade and dodging flies.

One reason to take your horse out of pasture is if they’re being bullied at feeding time.

It’s quite common in large groups that more dominant animals will push weaker ones aside, so horses may need to be fed separately to ensure they get to eat their full share in peace.

If your horse has a competition coming up, it can be beneficial for them to be stabled to avoid overeating and to keep them clean.

Another reason you might need to keep your horse indoors is if they are sick and need extra attention, or if they’re a working horse who needs to be clipped.

At minimum, a horse should never be kept in the stable longer than overnight without turnout or pasture time.

How Often Should You Ride Your Horse?

Exercise is necessary for a horse’s circulation and natural muscle conditioning.

In the wild, horses would travel many miles per day just to find food and water.

They are meant to be in constant motion, so it’s important to ensure that your horse is getting the exercise they need.

How often you ride your horse depends on you and your horse’s goals.

If you want to ride in high-level competitions, then you’ll find yourself doing strenuous training sessions six times per week.

If you just want to maintain good health, it is fine to do three, twenty minute sessions per week.

Make sure to practice trotting and cantering so your horse has a good amount of cardio.

Is it Okay to Keep a Horse in a Stall?

There are multiple benefits to having your horse in a stall- but not all the time.

Stalling horses makes feeding and cleaning more efficient, as you’ll be able to meticulously regulate what exactly your horse is consuming, and what they are putting out.

Keeping horses separate is a great way to weed out kicking and biting.

It’s especially nice to stable horses who are susceptible to sweet itch and sunburn, or are allergic to certain bugs.

It’s important to train your horse to be happy in a stall, because they will inevitably find themselves in one at some point; travel, injury, or dangerous weather can happen at any time.

It’s better that your horse be used to a stall, so that they don’t experience extra stress when the time comes that they have to enter one.

Why do Horses Kick in Their Stalls?

There are many reasons. It could be something as simple as boredom or looking for attention.

They might hear another horse in the barn kicking, and be responding to what they perceive as an act of aggression.

While kicking is a natural behavior in horses, it can become a treacherous and obsessive habit.

Continuous stall kicking can lead to injury.

Keep an eye on your kickers and make sure not to reward them for their behavior.

Before any harsh remedial procedures are put into effect, take a good look at their exercise and feed regime.

Something might be out of balance that is causing them to act out.

How Often Do Horse Stalls Need to Be Cleaned?

A horse’s stall needs to be cleaned every day; the more time they spend in their stalls, the more often they should be cleaned.

Who wants to hang out in their own feces and urine?

Humans don’t, and neither does your horse!

Not only will they be sad in a dirty stall, but there are a lot of health risks that come from being in unclean conditions; thrush, cellulitis, and other respiratory and skin issues can occur.

Make sure your horse’s stall is clean, the barn is well-ventilated, and that your horse’s hay and bedding are mold-free.

These are the best practices to keep your horse physically well.

No matter where your horse lives, stable time will be necessary at some point in their life.

Make sure they are comfortable with their living situation.

Pay attention to what your horse needs, and give them the best options you can.