How horses sleep

Question
I was driving and saw a horse flat on it's side in a field.  Is that indicative of a problem?  I didn't think horses lie that way.  

Thanks, Marg Doran

Answer
Yes, horses sometimes lay flat out when they sleep.  This would indicate a horse that feels quite comfortable with its surroundings.  You are also correct that it could be indicative of a problem.  I always call out to one of my horses that is laying flat...if they are o.k, they'll lift their head to see what I want, and usually lay back down again if they're not finished napping!  If a horse is non-responsive to noise (whistling, calling, etc), it might be a good idea to check it out further.