Horses, although majestic and powerful, are not immune to stress. Whether it’s due to changes in their environment, training routines, or health issues, equine stress can have a significant impact on their well-being. As responsible caretakers, horse owners and handlers must be able to recognize the signs of stress in their horses and implement effective relaxation techniques. Today, we will discuss some common symptoms of horse stress and practical strategies for calming an anxious horse.
Many signs can display equine stress; some of these could be behavioral changes, such as restlessness and frequent head movements. A more social horse may turn to isolation and start to withdraw from its normal herd. Another apparent behavioral change often seen is uncharacteristic aggression and heightened fear responses. In addition to behavioral changes, some physical symptoms could be slightly easier to recognize. Excessive sweating in situations that wouldn’t usually cause a horse to sweat could be due to high-stress levels. Stress can also lead to appetite suppression and digestive issues such as diarrhea or colic, which can also be displayed in the form of weight loss. These changes in your horse can be caused by several factors, such as equine transport, horse stall anxiety, or even horse separation anxiety and spending a lot of time in equine haulers. Identifying what is causing your horse’s stress and trying to mitigate it is essential.Â
There are many great techniques that, when implemented correctly, can help your horse manage its stress and promote relaxation. Creating a calm environment and sticking to a consistent feeding and exercise routine can help give your horse a sense of normality and remove the stress that could have been caused by previous transport. It is also important to provide mental stimulation. There are some great toys and objects out there that encourage mental engagement from your horse, and conducting diverse exercises can also help keep your horse’s mind active. Tons of natural therapies out there can also provide anxiety relief and relaxation for your horse. Some include herbal equine supplements such as CBD, herb-derived oils, and calming pastes for horses. Massages and bodywork are also excellent methods of holistic horse care. At the end of the day, there are plenty of ways to instill total calm and focus in your horse, but it is always best to see what works for your specific horse and listen to how their bodies react because no two horses are the same.