The Lonely Horse
By denying a horse the social interactions that are part of its natural environment, the animal’s health, happiness and ability to perform can suffer significantly
by Judy Andrekson
We have all owned one or known one. The trusted old pony, once the centre of a child’s universe, loved, cared for, ridden and groomed regularly, now retired to pasture, alone and visited only occasionally; the stabled performance horse (race, hunter/jumper, dressage, reiner...), highly admired and receiving outstanding physical care but denied access to pasture and other horses, weaving and chewing at his stall, given drugs to ease the pain of ulcers and herbs to calm his mind; the prized and valuable stallion pacing his paddock for hours in isolated frustration; or even the beloved pleasure horse, your dream of a lifetime, who whinnies when he sees you and trots up to greet you with undeniable affection when you enter the pasture on your acreage. He seems content, but stands, sometimes for hours at a time, staring wistfully over his fence and down the road at who knows what.
These are the faces of lonely horses, so commonly found in our modern equine/human relationships. In order to fit horses into our lives of busy schedules, limited finances, and convenience-driven decision making, the horse is often the one who pays the emotional price. We love these animals and often don’t even realize that we are doing any harm by isolating them, but loneliness can be a significant stressor for horses and can have a definite effect on their performance ability, mentality, and over-all well being.
Social Animals
Internationally renowned equine behaviourist and nonresistance training clinician, Chris Irwin, stressed, during an interview, that preserving the horse’s natural state, that of a herd animal dependant on his social group and ‘flight’ instincts, is paramount in any attempt we make to establish relationships with horses that includes the consideration of their mental and emotional health. “Its (the horse’s) sense of security, comfort and well being is directly related to its natural environment. To be alone, without other horses, is fundamentally ‘un-natural’ to a horse.” As ‘flight’ animals, “the more ears, eyes and noses that are consistently scanning the environment for potential threats, the better. A horse left alone is just that, a ‘lone’ victim waiting to happen in a world full of predators. A horse without other horses is incredibly vunerable,” said Irwin
When humans remove this natural state and cause the horse to live in isolated conditions (alone on an acreage, stall, etc), the horse can become very stressed. According to Chris, “individual horses may respond to the isolation in various ways – from boredom to anger, to fear, to nervous anxiety disorders or, and this can be misinterpreted as calm – the horse can mentally and emotionally ‘shut down’. This ‘sullen’ horse can appear to be a good thing because he is so apparently calm, but…is the horse truly capable of delivering its utmost performance potential when it feels so despondent?”
The performance factor
How much can the stress of loneliness affect a horse’s performance ability? A study conducted over two years by the Vancouver based Whole Horse Institute found that environmental stress can be significant. The study evaluated stress levels in horses in various disciplines and environments, including the horse’s ability to obtain positive and desired training results and stay physically and mentally fit over a period of time. The results of this study indicated that horses living in isolation suffered higher stress levels, regardless of discipline. Polo ponies, stabled, trained, and competing in groups, appeared to have little or no mental or emotional signs of stress, even though the sport is physically very demanding. Horses confined to stalls with little or no turn out time (race horses, hunter/jumpers, upper level dressage, etc) showed the greatest number of stress indicators. Even horses turned out alone in paddocks exhibited signs of stress due to loneliness and boredom. In general, training discipline seemed to be less of a stress factor than living conditions and social relationships.
Why do we isolate?
The overwhelming answer I received when I questioned owners and trainers about why they chose to keep horses in isolated environments was: it is easier. For some, it was a financial matter; they could only afford one horse. Others had been led to believe that it was best for the horse’s safety. But for most it was a matter of convenience, and many did not realize that they might be compromising their horse’s emotional health, or that emotional health was even something that needed to be considered in caring for their horses.
Owners and trainers alike argued that their horses were easier to catch, handle, train and ride when they were separated from other horses. They became friendlier and more attached to humans and ‘herd-bound’ behaviours were eliminated. Reinforcing this, especially for inexperienced owners, was the fact that when their horse came into contact with other horses, their calm and cooperative manner disappeared and some of them could become so excited that they were almost unmanageable.
Chris Irwin agrees that horses can be more easily managed when they are isolated, but calls this philosophy “very short sighted”. He questions, “Do people want the short term fix that makes it easier to catch and control the focus of the horse, because it is easier on the person, or does the human truly have the best interest of the horse in mind? If I want my horse to realize his maximum performance potential then I need to learn how to keep him within the comfort zone of other horses, yet still know how to earn his complete respect, focus, trust and willingness even though he has his family/herd/playmates around. It’s a tall order but it makes for a happier horse.”
Is a horse ever better off alone?
Fox, a retired racehorse turned pleasure horse, struggled through his winters, severely underweight and constantly stressed by a mild mannered pasture-mate. Fox’s owner, Linda Bandy, had to stand with Fox each night while he ate (not fun at –30 C) and described how Fox had always been a ‘poor keeper’, always very low on the pecking order and easily distressed in his social groups. When the pasture-mate was removed, Fox’s condition quickly improved. His owners worried about loneliness, but Fox seemed more relaxed, gained weight, and although he had some ‘down’ days, his overall mental and physical health improved substantially.
Zephyr, a young morgan mare, was so extremely aggressive toward other horses that it was impossible to keep others with her. She responded well to humans and training, but a compatible pasture-mate was never found for her, although several attempts were made.
And Whisper, a colt nearly sent to slaughter because of his frost bitten ears, is consistently rejected by other horses (because of his odd appearance?) and seems to find great comfort in human companionship, making his career as a disabled rider’s mount perfect for him.
They are relatively rare, but there are some socially maladjusted horses that actually benefit from living a more isolated life. Even these horses should have some access to others – to at least be able to see and smell other horses, or they may enjoy the company of another prey animal such as a goat or llama. (This was not an option for Zephyr. The only animal she ever tolerated was a skinny orange kitten who spent much of his time winding his way around her dangerous feet and purring like mad. She was careful and gentle with him and seemed to actually enjoy his company.)
These horses, given the opportunity, can become very dependent on human companionship and should not be left alone for long periods of time. Stabling or pasturing them in areas of high human activity and using them regularly will help prevent loneliness and boredom.
What about stallions?
Although stallions can, and do, live compatibly in herd situations on farms, they are often separated from other horses and spend almost their entire lives alone. But the need to socialize is just as strong in these horses and the lack of it can cause a great deal of stress.
I met AckAck Attack, a beautiful thoroughbred stallion (17 hh and gleaming black), when I took a job as farm manager at a breeding/racing facility near Calgary, 15 years ago. He was neurotic, very difficult to manage, and highly stressed. He lived in a high-walled, dark stall at the back of the barn, away from the other horses. He spent his days in a small dirt paddock beside the barn from which he could see other horses only when they were led into the barn or when the yearlings came for a drink from the waterer in the nearest pasture. He was the last horse out in the mornings and the first horse brought in for the evening meal. The only time he had direct contact with another horse was during breeding season, when he got to spend a few brief moments with a well-restrained mare. He spent his days pacing his fence at a fast trot, panting and lathered, but never ceasing, even to eat. In his stall, he picked at his hay and rarely cleaned his grain bucket. He vented his frustration by kicking the walls, gnashing his teeth and throwing himself at the door whenever he heard the latch being opened. He was in poor condition, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I moved him to a large, grassy paddock at the front of the property. It had double fencing all around it, preventing him from physically contacting the other horses, but he had a full view of all the pastures and could keep his ‘family’ in sight. He stopped pacing and began eating and became far calmer and easier to handle. I introduced a quiet gelding into the alley beside him and, after a lot of squealing and striking, they became good friends, rubbing and ‘talking’ over the fence every day. Ack gained weight, the neurotic behaviours disappeared and by the next breeding season he was a horse we were proud to show off.
Stallions, if not kept with a herd, should be allowed to at least see other horses, and, if it can be safely arranged (this depends on the horse’s temperament and aggression levels), to be in physical contact with at least one other horse or a substitute prey animal. Geldings are often accepted peacefully as they offer no competition or threat to the stallion. While special care must always be taken in the handling of stallions, caring for one that is happy and relaxed is far easier than caring for one that is angry, frustrated and desperate for social contact.
How can we make it better?
Most of us can’t afford to keep a herd of horses, and some of us can only manage one. We may have only enough land to support one horse, or we may be working with a trainer who insists that they need the horse separated in order to keep the horse safe, convenient (clean and ready to work), and easier to work with (less herd-bound). We may own an animal of extreme value and feel we need to keep him isolated to prevent injuries that would jeopardize that value. No matter what the situation, if we are keeping the horse’s best interests and mental/emotional health in the forefront, we will make, and expect our trainer to make, a substantial effort to prevent isolation and the stress of loneliness.
• First and foremost, all horses should live in as close to a natural environment as we can provide for them, with room to move and the opportunity to socialize. They should have at least one companion, preferably another horse, but other prey animals (goats, sheep, donkeys, etc) can be substituted with success (and cost a lot less to keep). An acreage owner who cannot afford to buy and keep two horses might consider boarding another horse or two. Not enough land for two or more. Consider the goat, or look into boarding your horse at a nearby stable where there is more activity and companionship available for your horse. This is often a good choice for the owner, as well, as it provides a riding facility and access to like-minded people to talk and play ‘horse’ with. On an acreage, it’s not only the horse that gets lonely and bored sometimes. Owners should insist that their horses (even the high performance and valuable ones) receive turn-out time each day, in a paddock where they can at least see, smell, and touch other horses, even if only across the fence. The more time they are given each day, the better.
• Choose trainers who are ‘whole-horse’ oriented – who work toward more than just perfect performances. A good trainer should have the horse’s overall well-being in mind – mental, emotional and physical. This trainer will be more likely to reach their goals of performance levels while keeping your horse healthy and happy in all aspects of his existence.
• Learn as much as you can about horses and ‘natural horsemanship’. Attending the clinics and demonstrations of such trainers as Chris Irwin, Pat Parelli, John Lyons, Monty Roberts and others like them will give you the tools to bond with and earn the respect and cooperation of your horse, even when he is living in a herd situation. The benefits to your horse/human relationships will be outstanding.
• When your horse needs to be alone for periods of time, try providing him with various toys, stable him in an active area of the barn, preferably near a ‘friend’ and provide lots of regular human contact.
In making choices for the care of our horses, we must keep in mind that a horse is not just a physical being, or a machine designed to perform at the whim of humans. He is an emotional, instinct-driven animal who allows us the privilege of enjoying his beauty, power and talents, but is dependant on us, as owners and trainers, to provide what he needs to be safe, secure, happy and healthy. We must learn to care for our whole horse – physically, mentally and emotionally, in order to have a truly content and healthy partner in our human/equine relationship.