Is any kind of stress unhealthy for horses?

Stress, the word alone can evoke stress in horse owners. We would like to protect our animals from the negative consequences of stress. Indeed, severe and prolonged stress can lead to serious health problems and behavioural changes. But is stress always unhealthy? And should you always combat stress in horses?

12 May '25 2 min reading time

The term "stress" simply means being alert, ready to flee or fight. Thanks to stress, the body prepares itself to handle threats or escape from them. Stress can actually be positive! Mild tension and alertness, for example, can help your horse stay focused and perform better in the competition arena, or respond more sharply to the aids.

Startled and let go

Horses are flight animals. When wild horses sense danger, they run away, then stop a little further on and lower their heads to graze again. During the moment of fear, the stress hormone adrenaline briefly increases in the blood. Once the threat has passed and the horse feels safe enough to lower its head, the hormone is cleared from the system. This action of lowering the head and exhaling is often used in groundwork as a technique to gradually teach a horse to "self-soothe" in new or stressful situations. When a horse is given the time to learn this technique, it will become more confident and less sensitive to stress in unfamiliar situations.

Positive stress

Positive stress exists too. This refers mainly to situations where the horse is engaged mentally or physically and learns something new. At first, this can feel threatening to a horse. But with good guidance and by introducing new things in small steps, the stress can stay below the threshold where the horse wants to flee. By making training more challenging or intense, your horse learns, builds fitness, and eventually becomes stronger, more supple, and more resilient.

Beware of chronic stress!

When presenting new experiences, exposing your horse to “scary” situations, or stimulating him in training, it’s essential to ensure that the stress remains manageable. How much “educational” stress a horse can tolerate before it becomes too much varies per animal. An experienced competition horse that has seen and done a lot will generally handle more than a young three-year-old fresh from the rearing field. Always tailor your approach, and remember that a stressful situation for a horse can feel very different than for a human. If your horse shuts down, stops responding to aids, or can’t release the stress, it’s a sign that his capacity is exceeded. In that case, take smaller steps next time. You don’t want your horse to be in a constant state of alert. Chronic stress can throw the entire body out of balance: hormone levels become disrupted, the immune system weakens, learning capacity drops, and issues like allergies or sugar metabolism disorders can emerge.

Balance with clove and herbs

To help your horse stay balanced, better process small stressors, and release tension, several supplements are available. One option is an extract from the clove plant. This plant contains a wide variety of signaling compounds (cannabinoids) that support the nervous system and promote good communication between cells. The clove plant can help your horse come out of its shell during stressful periods and assist in restoring inner balance. These compounds also support the immune system, making your horse more resilient. For particularly stressful situations such as moving to a new stable or attending a competition, you can consider a short course of a herbal extract containing chamomile and passionflower. Start giving the extract a few days before the event. These herbs help your horse process tension more quickly and calmly.

Also interesting:

Behaviour

Hormones

Stress

Chaste tree is well known among many horse lovers. It is mainly used as a supplement for mares who suffer greatly from their heat. However, this herb, and its extracts, can be used more broadly. Chaste tree acts on the hormonal balance and the regulation of stress in *all* horses. It can make your horse more stable and ensure that he or she has enough energy to work properly.

Stress and hormones in your horse: What can chaste tree do?

Chaste tree is well known among many horse lovers. It is mainly used as a supplement for mares who suffer greatly from their heat. However, this herb, and its extracts, can be used more broadly. Chaste tree acts on the hormonal balance and the regulation of stress in *all* horses. It can make your horse more stable and ensure that he or she has enough energy to work properly.. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), also known as chaste tree, originates from the Mediterranean region. Chaste tree is a medicinal plant. It has traditionally been used to regulate women's menstrual cycles and alleviate symptoms. Mares that become very heated and also show signs of pain, behavioral changes, or even lameness often benefit from chaste tree. But this herb can also help geldings and stallions manage (extreme) hormonal reactions. Hormones and stress An imbalanced hormonal system cause...

Hormones

Stress

Feeding

Stress at the cellular level is not a well-known phenomenon, but all horses (and humans) actually deal with it. It is a natural defense mechanism. The cells in the body respond to threats from the environment, with the goal of restoring balance as quickly as possible. However, if the cause of stress persists, these biological reactions can become chronic. A horse will often withdraw into itself and isolate itself from people and stimuli. It may seem like a bombproof animal, very calm, but often it is a sign of discomfort.

Horse isolates itself: stress at the cellular level?

Stress at the cellular level is not a well-known phenomenon, but all horses (and humans) actually deal with it. It is a natural defense mechanism. The cells in the body respond to threats from the environment, with the goal of restoring balance as quickly as possible. However, if the cause of stress persists, these biological reactions can become chronic. A horse will often withdraw into itself and isolate itself from people and stimuli. It may seem like a bombproof animal, very calm, but often it is a sign of discomfort.. The balance in the body can be disrupted by factors such as nutrition, contaminants, or molds, but also by danger, improper training, or stable management that does not suit a horse's nature. The cells of a horse respond to such disruptions, often with a general response that is the same for any type of disturbance, and also a specific response to each type of disruption. This 'cellular stress' is a universal defense mechanism that is very important for the psychological and physical health of a...

Magnesium

Stress

If you ride dressage or show jumping with your horse, it can be quite enjoyable to compete. At least, for you as a rider. Competitions are a good opportunity to see where you are in your training and to compete against other combinations. But does your horse enjoy it as much? And what can you do to make the experience as positive as possible for him? A few tips and tricks, even if your horse may not enjoy it that much yet.

To compete or not when your horse finds it stressful?

If you ride dressage or show jumping with your horse, it can be quite enjoyable to compete. At least, for you as a rider. Competitions are a good opportunity to see where you are in your training and to compete against other combinations. But does your horse enjoy it as much? And what can you do to make the experience as positive as possible for him? A few tips and tricks, even if your horse may not enjoy it that much yet.. Resilient horse Before competing, it is important that your horse can handle everything that will come his way. In other words, your horse must be resilient enough. There are several things you can do to increase the chances of your horse being mentally prepared for a competition. Firstly, make sure that not everything is unfamiliar to him. Do you braid your horse's mane often? Practice that and then ride in your own familiar arena. Without stress. Make sure that other preparations for a competi...

Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .