Is stabling really reducing incidence of injury?

 

Back in my grooming days, I worked with a large range of horses from all sorts of disciplines.

 

I’ve worked with; hunters, showers, show jumpers, happy hackers, eventers, racers, western reiners, and everything in-between!

 

What a lot of the owners of these horses had in common was the mentality of ‘I keep them stabled, so they don’t injure themselves’

 

Or …

 

‘I keep them stabled because it’s easier’

 

And I remember, even when I was inexperienced, thinking that surely that wasn’t right.

 

Horses are roaming animals, their bodies are quite literally designed for efficient movement over distance.

 

Even their digestive tract works most optimally with movement!

 

As I became more knowledgeable of all things horse, I realised that stabling may not be as ‘safe’ as assumed by many owners.

 

Stabling can have negative effects on:

-        Bone health

-        Joint health

-        Muscle health

-        Hoof health

-        Ligaments and tendons

-        Back comfort

-        Post-exercise recovery

-        Behavioural issues & stereotypies

-        Increased risk of injury during exercise

-        Respiratory health

 

Naturally, I’ll dive into all these shortly!

                                     

Now, I am not naïve.

 

I do understand that there are instances where stabling is the most beneficial (and sometimes the only) way of keeping your horses.

 

I know some horses do not tolerate turnout as well as others.

 

Some livery yards do not offer year-round turnout.

 

Some horses have health complications where excessive turnout may not be in their best interest.

 

And some horses are just so, very accident prone!

 

However, it is those who deem stabling is the best option for themselves, rather than the horse, that may be mistaken with their thinking.

 

When I have worked with incredibly expensive show-jumpers and racehorses, I can understand the thinking of ‘I don’t want this half-million-pound horse breaking it’s leg in the field!’

 

However, these horses are only worth this price due to their ability, and performance.

 

They are typically younger horses, who can repair and regenerate more efficiently than older horses.

 

And, like humans, they can typically ‘get away’ with more, when they are younger.

 

So I bring into the argument – if the longevity and performance of this horse is likely to decrease due to excessive stabling, surely that puts a higher risk on the horse losing it’s value?

 

I understand that not everyone looks at horses with the intent to sell for profit, but for the purposes of this rant … sorry, blog! I’ll maintain the example.

 

So what is it that makes stabling so damaging? Surely if they’re moving less, there is less incidence of injury?

 

Well, I’m afraid it is exactly that limited movement that induces the risk of injury!

 

I will break down and summarise the risks with the aforementioned negative effects on the mind and body:

 

Bone health

 

The overall effect is that excessive stabling can affect bone mass, strength and density.

 

This is due to the limited movement, bone is not being stressed, and therefore isn’t regenerating as it should.

 

There has also been evidence of a reduced mineral content within the bone, even with additional calcium supplements.

 

Joint health

 

Prolonged stabling reduced mobility, and increases stiffness of joints.

 

This is partly due to the lymphatic system relying on movement to circulate fluid and induce lymphatic drainage. Reduced movement can cause swelling and inflammation around joints.

 

This reduced circulation can also impede the delivery of essential nutrients to the synovial fluid within joints.

 

Muscle health

 

Underused muscle will begin to atrophy, the age old saying of ‘use it, or lose it!’

 

The muscle strength, elasticity and mass will decline with limited movement.

 

There is also less need for horses to engage core muscles, as feed and water will typically be in the same place, at the same height. It is good core strength that is the foundation for so much of the horses performance and ability.

 

There has also been links between prolonged stabling and the incidence of ‘tying-up’. Often due to confined rest, with no reduction in energy intake, followed by exercise.

 

Hoof health

 

Excessive time on damp bedding, or over-exposure to ammonia, can break down the hoof wall structure, leading to infections and abscesses.

 

On the other hand, if the hoof is perpetually in a dry environment, the hoof wall becomes susceptible to become dry and brittle, leading to cracks.  

 

The hoof wall naturally expands and contracts with each step, reducing movement reduced this natural flexion.

 

Ligaments and Tendons

 

These tissues need to be stressed to maintain their elasticity and flexibility.

 

The limited movement can also affect the cellular homeostasis of the tissues. Improper movement can lead to an imbalance of collagen synthesis and organisation, potentially weakening tissue and increasing incidence of injury.

 

Prolonged standing on hard floors can increased the concussive forces on tissues, resulting in microtraumas.

 

Back comfort

 

Linking back to the reduced core strength, this will have a direct impact of back comfort.

 

Again, due to the limited movement, the large muscles through the back can begin to atrophy, become tense, or go into spasm.

 

The back is also less likely to go through its natural range of motion, potentially causing muscle shortening. This is especially important if you are expecting you horse to work ‘long and low’ under saddle.

 

Post-exercise recovery

 

My previous blogs have mentioned the importance of a good warm up and cool down.

 

In part, this encourages the lactic acid build up from exercise to drain, the muscles to cool, and the heart rate and blood pressure to return to resting levels.

 

By stabling too soon after exercise, none of these things can happen efficiently.

 

Potentially leading to delayed onset muscles soreness, tying-up and sub-optimal circulation.

 

Behavioural issues and Stereotypies

 

There are several behavioural issues that are found commonly in stabled horses, and rarely in pasture horses:

-        Weaving

-        Cribbing

-        Wind sucking

-        Box walking

 

Stabled horses can also have higher levels of aggressive behaviours and frustration.

 

Increased risk of injury during exercise

 

The built-up energy from prolonged stabling may all come a head during exercise.

 

Bucking, bolting, rearing, and leaping can all lead to injury. (And life-choice questioning for the rider! – we’ve all been there!)

 

If young horses are not exposed to a variety of surfaces, gradients and textures that come from turnout (and hacking) they may lack balance and coordination needed for negotiating different terrain, or obstacles during exercise. Potentially leading to slips, trips and over-extension.

 

Respiratory health

 

Just as ammonia is damaging for hooves – excessive inhalation of ammonia is incredibly damaging for the airways.

 

Dust from bedding, and dry hay can also cause damage when inhaled.

 

If multiple horses are kept in one space (such as an American style barn) the risk of contracting air-borne diseases is increased.

 

So! Lots of potential physical and mental drawbacks to stabling.

 

However, so many of these can be combated with turnout!

Even a few hours a day can make an incredible difference.

 

In a perfect world, I believe that horses should have permanent access to both pasture and the stable, so they can choose where they are most comfortable.

 

Of course, we’d all love to live in the perfect world! But most of us have to do the best with what we have.

 

If turnout is not available to you, you should try to encourage as much movement as possible.

 

Walkers, turnout in the arena or lunge pen, groundwork, hacking, in-hand walks. Are all ways to increase movement if turnout is not an option.

 

Also, boredom busters in the stable are good for those who are on box rest for and injury. Hay balls, treat balls, ice, equine toys, puzzles etc. can all help to combat boredom and reduce incidence of negative behaviours and stereotypies.

 

Well, that turned out to be a lot longer that I anticipated!

 

I imagine if you got this far, you can tell that this is something I’m quite passionate about!

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog.

 

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments about topics you’d like me to write about, or any suggestions to improve my blogs.

 

For any other information, or to book a veterinary physiotherapy appointment, please contact me directly.

 

All the best,

Emma, The Biomechanic.

BSc(Hons), FdSc, MIRVAP, RAMP

07861195709

emma@the-biomechanic.co.uk

www.the-biomechanic.co.uk