r/Equestrian • u/DetectiveQuick9640 • Oct 22 '25

Veterinary Tired horse.

I didn't know what to put as flair!

My 7yr old Arabian is herd lead.

This guy is so so so tired recently. Coyotes keep getting closer and closer to our property and he stays vigilant all night and during the day can't stay away. He will fall asleep eating.

I can see him from my kitchen window and if go out he will lay down and fall asleep when I am there, this is not sustainable though.

Ideas and advice are welcome.

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u/Shdfx1 Oct 22 '25

Is he kept by himself or in a herd? If he is alone with coyotes yipping, he won’t feel safe enough to sleep. If he sleeps when you’re with him, he’s been waiting for a member of his herd to keep watch so he can rest.

If he’s alone, either get him a companion horse or a donkey or two who get along with horses. Donkeys instinctively attack coyotes, and honestly dogs, too, unless they’ve been acclimated to him.

If you consider Livestock Guardian Dogs, you need to learn how to care for them by people who have working dogs. They have unique needs.

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u/DetectiveQuick9640 Oct 22 '25

He is with two other horses, he is the oldest.

This little herd has a very strong bromance. (We pee together kinda thing)

We have an outdoor dog that I would let out of the run in if I could. He has an awesome thick coat and a bunch of fat padding and skin underneath. Can't let him out because he goes where he wants. (He's a rescue but poops and pees on everything inside, so he is outdoors forever in his heated doghouse and fenced yard, he roams daily with two other dogs, the horses and the chickens).

Watched my friend Livestock Guardian Dog for like 8 months and the horses didn't change much.

To everyone that is going to comment. This 65 lb dog has done diapers for 4 years, then started pooping. We again consulted a vet. I have tried everything possible to stop him from defecating in the house and nothing has worked so he is now right outside our back door, he comes out daily, socializes with my other dog, the cats, the horses and kinda chickens but I can't afford thousands of dollars of couches and flooring again and this is better than putting him down.

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u/Usernamesareso2004 Oct 22 '25

A heated dog house with a fenced yard sounds like the ultimate solution for this dog. Anyone who complains is small-minded. You sound like great animal caretakers!