But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids Why do horses sleep standing up?
Oct 3, 2025
Sonja Noack, an expert on Icelandic horses and owner of Hestasnild, dives into the fascinating world of equines. She explains why horses sleep standing up, using 'leg-locking' to stay alert and when they actually dream. Listeners will learn about horses' unique adaptations to harsh climates, their evolution from small ancestors, and different gaits like the tölt. Sonja also reveals how sensitive their taste buds are and why breeders have developed so many distinct horse breeds. It's a trotting good time filled with hoof-tapping insights!
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Icelandic Horses Came With Vikings
- Sonja explains Icelandic horses arrived with Vikings and have been bred pure for over a thousand years.
- She notes horses exported from Iceland may never return, keeping the breed very pure.
Feed For Winter Growth And Warmth
- Feed horses extra hay and calories in fall so they build fat and thicker winter coats for protection.
- Provide hay as soon as snow covers the grass to keep outdoor horses nourished.
Horse Size Changed With Evolution And Breeding
- Early horse ancestors were small, then evolved larger bodies for speed and spotting predators.
- Human selective breeding later created wide size variation for speed, work, and other traits.