Introduction

There are many causes of stress in horses, but the good news is that you can avoid most of them. If you understand what stresses your horse out and how to avoid it, then your horse will be happier and healthier overall!

Strangers

In order to understand the causes of stress in horses, it’s important to learn about the types of stress that can affect them.

Horses are a prey species; they’re not equipped to handle direct threats from predators or other animals. When they see something unfamiliar and scary, they will respond by running away. If there’s nowhere for them to run, however—such as when they’re trapped inside a stall—they’ll become very distressed and frightened until the threat disappears. This is why it’s so important never to approach or handle horses you don’t know without asking permission first: even if you mean well, your actions could cause unnecessary discomfort or even injury!

A new or different schedule

Changing a horse’s schedule can cause it to become stressed. A horse’s body clock is set to a routine and any disruption of this routine can be stressful. For example, if you always feed your horses at 6:00 am and one day you do not get up until 5:30 am and feed them then, the horses may become anxious because they are expecting their food later than usual.

Change in diet

Stress can also be caused by a change in diet. Horses are very sensitive to their food, and many digestive upsets and colic cases are the result of eating something new. The best way to introduce a new diet is to feed it for two weeks straight with nothing else before mixing it with the old food for another week. This gives your horse’s body time to adjust before making further changes. It’s important that you always supply fresh water when changing diets, as this helps prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that could lead to digestive problems and colic attacks.

Change in shelter

The horse is a creature of habit. It likes familiarity, predictability and routine. The horse also has a need for a safe place to rest, warm up in cold weather, find shelter from storms and get out of the rain.

The stress caused by changes in shelter can be minimised if you start making changes gradually enough so that your horse can adjust to them. However, sometimes even the most gradual of changes will still cause some stress because they upset your horse’s equilibrium and make him feel insecure about his surroundings.

Sickness, illness and injury

Sickness, illness and injury can cause your horse to become stressed. Horses are prey animals and hide signs of pain to protect themselves from predators. They will often endure discomfort in silence until the situation becomes unbearable, at which point they may become aggressive or destructive.

Conclusion

With all of that being said, it’s important to remember that horses are emotional creatures and even simple changes can cause them stress. The best way to avoid this is by keeping your horse comfortable and happy—but if you do happen to notice an increase in stress, it’s best not to ignore it. Talk with your vet or a professional about what kind of help might be available for them.

If you’re looking for an effective way to keep your horse calm without sedation, head over to the Pet Remedy shop to explore a range of all-natural calming products.