According to The Horse, a group of researchers investigated whether horses’ sleep patterns affected their performance.
A group from Hartpury College’s Centre for Performance in Equestrian Sports that involved Darcy Murphy, Linda Greening, and Lucy Dumbell, MSC, PgCE, BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences, in the United Kingdom, recently investigated whether horses’ sleep patterns affected their performance.
Dumbell, the acting Associate Dean Quality and Standards, presented the research at the 11th International Society for Equitation Science Conference, held Aug. 6-9 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Research in human sleep patterns demonstrates links between sleep—particularly REM sleep—and cognition, memory, and performance,” Dumbell said. “Knowing if sleep patterns in horses affect performance may instigate interest in considering sleep as an important management factor.”
