The importance of routine in horse care

Fitting your riding times into a daily pattern with stable mates may help to establish an ordered way of life for your horse, writes Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac.

Equines are creatures of habit. If you watch the behaviour of wild zebras, you will notice that they follow a routine. Every morning, at the same time, the herd will move down to drink at the waterhole. Then they will go out to graze, doze at midday when the sun is hot, then move to the safety of the hills as the sun starts setting. Over the many centuries since horses were first domesticated, riders have designed management routines to fit in with this equine need for an ordered way of life.

THEY ARE HERD CREATURES

The other factor contributing to the behaviour of horses under saddle is that they are herd creatures, and feel a lot more secure when they are with other horses.