Sensitivity to stress in horses

Sensitivity to stress is a common problem in horses. A horse is a flight animal and will instinctively want to escape from certain situations. Stress has various physical and mental drawbacks for horses. Not all stress situations can be avoided, but it is still better to prevent than to cure. Herbs can provide support in this regard. Read more about sensitivity to stress and its drawbacks in this article.

Causes of stress in horses

There are various causes of stress in horses. Many of these causes are easily recognizable by an owner. However, there may also be some causes that you would not expect to be stressful for a horse. Below is a list of common causes:

• Prolonged forced stall rest

• Standing alone

• New environment

• Competitions

• Farrier

• Trailer

• Clipping

• Objects around the pasture/riding arena

• Other animals

Causes of stress that are often overlooked:

• Change of feed

• Change in routine (e.g. different turnout schedule)

• Certain smells

• Weather conditions

• Hormones

• Stress transmitted by other horses

• Dominance hierarchy

Effects of stress

Stress can have unpleasant effects on horses. These effects can be divided into two categories: mental and physical effects. Mental effects mainly affect the horse's trust.

Physical effects usually occur indirectly as a result of a horse trying to escape in a stressful situation and getting injured. In addition, stress affects the uric acid level in the blood. A high uric acid level can crystallize and affect a horse's joints. Stress can also lead to a decreased immunity.

Herbs for stress-prone situations

Do you have a horse sensitive to stress and know that a situation is coming up where your horse may experience stress? There are certain herbs that have a calming effect and can help make this situation less stressful.

These herbs improve concentration and help with nervousness. An additional benefit is that herbs do not have a sedative effect and therefore do not impact activities such as riding. Ideal for competitions and trail rides, for example.

Benefits of using herbs for stress-prone horses:

• Applicable daily

• No sedation

• No side effects

• 100% natural