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You Are Here: Home > Hoofcare > Articles > Freedom of Movement
Freedom of Movement
From the February 2003 NoHoof-NoHorse Newsletter
by Cheryl McNamee Sutor, MHG
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In the January newsletter, we briefly compared the living environments and habits of wild/feral
horses with domesticated horses. One of the key differences is the amount of daily movement, which
plays a very important role in the horse's overall health and lifespan. For this reason, I have
dedicated this month's newsletter to discussing the topic with a little more detail.
Wild/feral horses spend a great deal of their time on the move. This constant-moving lifestyle
keeps their circulatory system in good health. The travelling distance between feeding and watering areas
keeps the wild/feral horse moving up to 20 miles per day or more.
Horses require a great deal of movement, throughout the day, in order to live a long life of health
and soundness. The horse has evolved over millions of years to depend on the "pumping" action of its hooves
to support the heart and circulatory system.
Upon weight-bearing, the hoof expands and the sole draws flat, often referred to as "hoof mechanism".
Hoof mechanism enhances circulation inside the foot and allows the hoof to grow strong and resilient. The
horse's hoof is the third most vascular organ in his body, which serves as a heart-supporting circulatory
pump. Allowing the horse to have hoof mechanism AND enough movement to apply hoof mechanism is vital to the
horse's overall well-being.
Due to the relatively small size of the horse's heart, the horse must rely on active hoof pumping
(hoof mechanism) for adequate circulation throughout its body. The application of shoes, the practice of
incorrect trimming, and decreased movement (stall keeping) prevents hoof mechanism. Lack of movement results
in: a weakened circulatory system, an overstressed heart, insufficient bloodflow throughout the body, possible
heart and circulatory failure, loss of bone density, slow or stunted development, possible bone and skeletal
disease, deformation of the hooves, development of conformation flaws, bad habits and boredom...just to name
a few!
The solution? Try finding an arrangement as close to 24-7 grass pasture and freedom of movement with
a shelter or barn that you possibly can for your horse. When you allow the horse to make it's own choices,
whether it wants to stand outside or inside at any given moment, you will find that most horses will even
stand outside in the rain and snow when given the choice. Any lack of movement, even if only for a few hours
per day, can weaken the horse's circulatory system. By allowing horses 24/7 freedom of movement, their system
will begin to work as it is intended by nature, and they will live healthier, happier and longer because of it.
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