Every horse experiences tension from time to time. Sometimes it is short-lived, but sometimes it is truly chronic. If you want to help a horse with stress, it is important to first investigate where the stress is coming from and what type of stress it is. This way, you can better assess what you need to do.

Circumstances

Horses are herd animals that require social contact and free movement. If they do not (or insufficiently) receive this, it can lead to prolonged, chronic stress. A lack of roughage can also cause stress. Improper feed management also often causes stomach problems, which can, in turn, cause pain and stress for your horse. Therefore, make sure to provide the right conditions: free movement, sufficient good roughage, and a stable herd. The training of your horse should also be appropriate for its age and body. Not too intense, not too monotonous, and approached in a relaxed manner.

Minerals

Ensure that your horse receives sufficient good-quality roughage containing essential minerals such as magnesium. Additionally, always feed a grain-free balancer with vitamins and minerals. These are crucial for the proper functioning of your horse's body and mind. Some horses may have a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is an important mineral necessary for the nervous system and muscles. Sport horses and those experiencing high levels of stress often require more magnesium. If your horse is experiencing stress, you can try supplementing with magnesium to see if it helps. Opt for magnesium chelate, preferably in combination with tryptophan and vitamin B6. For many horses, this is (part of) the solution to stress. If you do not see a difference after a month, your horse likely did not have a magnesium deficiency, and there may be other underlying causes of the stress.

Immunity and Balance

Another good product against stress is clove extract. The clove plant contains a variety of cannabinoids that are utilized as signaling molecules by horses' 'endocannabinoid system'. This system regulates the balance between body and mind in all mammals, and a healthy system is crucial for horses' health and resilience. When the system is out of balance, it can lead to stress and tension. By providing cannabinoids from clove, you can help restore balance in your horse's body. This will optimize the function of all system receptors and allow signals to flow more effectively. Clove cannabinoids are potent and do not contain THC, so your horse will not feel lethargic or 'high'. Clove is particularly effective for horses experiencing prolonged, chronic stress, such as pain, trauma, or following the death of a herd mate.

Stomach

A considerable amount of stress is linked to an underperforming stomach or an overstimulated digestive system. If your horse has loose stools or reacts strongly when tightening the girth in addition to stress, it is worth supporting the stomach with Indian herb triphala. The herbs in triphala are beneficial for the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Triphala also counteracts the effects of stress by helping regulate the stress hormone cortisol. It offers a two-in-one solution for your horse.

Calming Herbs

If your horse does not have a magnesium deficiency, no stomach issues, lives in suitable conditions, and you have established a healthy endocannabinoid system using clove and optimal immunity, but your horse is still occasionally nervous, you can administer a doping-free, calming herbal mixture. Preferably, choose a fast-acting liquid extract. These herbal extracts contain ingredients like chamomile, chasteberry, and passionflower that promote relaxation and focus.

Sources

Dodd, J., Doran, G., Harris, P., & Noble, G. (2015). Magnesium aspartate supplementation and reaction speed response in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 35(5), 401-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.051

https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/magnesium-aspartate-supplementation-and-reaction-speed-response-i

Scopa, C., Palagi, E., Sighieri, C. et al. Physiological outcomes of calming behaviors support the resilience hypothesis in horses. Sci Rep 8, 17501 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-35561-7

Bartolomé, E., & Cockram, M. S. (2016). Potential effects of stress on the performance of sport horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 40, 84-93. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.016

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080615300721

König v. Borstel, E. K. Visser, C. Hall. Indicatorsof Stress in EquitationU.

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84144982.pdf

Brittany P. Davis, Terry E. Engle, Jason I. Ransom, Temple Grandin. 2016. Preliminary evaluation on the effectiveness of varying doses of supplemental tryptophan as a calmative in horses.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159116303768

Maria Groot, Gerdien Kleijer-Ligtenberg en Tedje van Asseldonk. 2016. Stalboekje Varkens. Natuurlijk gezond met kruiden en andere natuurproducten. https://www.wur.nl/upload_mm/9/d/c/93395fe2-8474-4594-8a1b-ae2cb9feefec_8412101476%20-%20CS_RIKI_Omslagen_stalboekje_varkens.pdf

Christine Tara Peterson, Kate Denniston, and Deepak Chopra. Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Aug 2017.607-614. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acm.2017.0083

Dhanalakshmi S, Devi RS, Srikumar R, et al. Protective effect of Triphala on cold stress-induced behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in rats. Yakugaku Zasshi 2007;127:1863–1867. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/yakushi/127/11/127_11_1863/_article/-char/ja/