How to recognize, manage, and reduce stress in your horse, before it affects their health and happiness.
Why It’s Important to Understand Equine Stress
Let’s start with something simple: horses can’t tell you what’s wrong, but they will show you.
And sometimes, they’re not just being “moody” or “difficult”; they might be experiencing stress.
Stress in horses can be short-term (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Both can affect your horse’s behavior, performance, and even their physical health. Learning how to spot signs of stress early gives you a head start in keeping your horse healthy and happy.
Stress can show up differently in each horse, but there are patterns you can look out for and ways to help manage it, too.
What Causes Stress in Horses?
There are many stressors that can cause disruption in your horse’s routine or trigger an internal stress response. Some are obvious, others are sneakier.
Here are some common causes of stress in horses:
- Sudden changes in environment (e.g., moving to a new barn or paddock)
- Lack of turnout or movement
- Inconsistent forage or feeding times
- Farrier visits, dental work, or vet exams
- Long trailer rides or competition days
- Separation from other horses (horses are herd animals!)
- Poor saddle or tack fit
- A handler’s own energy or tension
- Pain, injury, or digestive discomfort (such as ulcers)
Fun fact: Horses are prey animals, and their bodies are wired to “flight” more than “fight.” That means anything they perceive as risky or unfamiliar, like flapping plastic or a new rider, can cause stress, even if it seems small to us.
The Science of Stress in Horses
When a horse is stressed, their body releases cortisol (the primary stress hormone) and adrenaline. These hormones trigger the “fight or flight” response: raising heart rate, tightening muscles, and sometimes causing them to spook or bolt.
While this is helpful in the wild (running away from danger), constant stress or repeated stressful situations can lead to:
- Digestive issues (including ulcers from increased stomach acid)
- Weight loss
- Behavioral changes
- Decreased performance
- Compromised immune health
This is why acute and chronic stress aren’t just inconvenient, they’re actual threats to your horse’s wellbeing.
Signs Your Horse Is Stressed
Okay, so how do you know your horse is stressed?
Let’s break it down into two types of signs: subtle and obvious.
Subtle Signs of Stress
These are the “hmm, that’s odd” moments. If your horse shows one or more of these regularly, it’s worth observing:
- Frequent yawning (especially when not tired)
- Muscle tension or stiffness, especially around the neck or flanks
- Pinning ears or tail swishing without provocation
- A general sense that they’re “on edge” or reactive
- Increased heart or respiratory rate at rest
- Change in attitude during grooming, saddling, or turnout
- Standing still but appearing tense, alert, or withdrawn
Clear Behavioral Red Flags
If your horse is acutely stressed or experiencing stress over a longer period, the signs may be more dramatic:
- Refusing to be caught, bolting, or spooking easily
- Pawing, pacing, stall walking, or weaving
- Grinding teeth, clenching jaw
- Loss of appetite or refusing forage
- Unwillingness to be ridden or tacked up
- Sweating without exertion
- Kicking at walls or aggression toward people/horses
- Sudden changes in herd behavior or social dynamics
If you're seeing these behaviors consistently, don’t ignore them. Horses don’t fake it. Something is off, and they’re trying to tell you.
Could It Be Pain or Illness?
Yes, and you should always rule out physical issues first. Stress is often a symptom, not the root cause.
Here’s what to check:
- Ulcers or gut issues
- Poorly fitting tack (hello, saddle check!)
- Dental discomfort
- Skin irritation or rubbing from rugs or gear
- Lameness or foot pain
- Poor ventilation in stalls
- Nutritional imbalance or dehydration
If you're unsure, contact a veterinarian or equine behaviorist. They can help pinpoint the problem, whether it’s physical, emotional, or environmental.
Tip: Some equine stress symptoms overlap with gut discomfort. Consider working with a nutritionist or vet to support your horse’s digestive system, especially if you suspect ulcers, sudden weight loss, or anxiety around feeding.
How to Reduce Stress in Your Horse
You can't bubble-wrap your horse from the world, but you can build a strong foundation to reduce stress.
Here are practical ways to help:
1. Keep a Consistent Routine
Horses love routine. Stick to the same feeding times, turnout times, and riding schedule as much as possible.
2. Offer Plenty of Turnout
Forage and freedom are nature’s chill pills. Horses need to move and graze. Limited turnout can cause frustration, boredom, and tension.
3. Check Their Diet
Stress can disrupt digestion. Make sure your horse is getting the right amount of forage, salt blocks, and any supplements your vet recommends. Avoid overfeeding high-starch or sugary feeds, which can cause excitability.
4. Evaluate Tack and Saddle Fit
Poor-fitting tack is a major stressor and it’s often overlooked. If your horse resists riding or shows behavioral changes, have a saddle fitter take a look.
5. Keep Up with Vet and Farrier Visits
Preventative care is a huge part of managing stress. Regular checkups help catch small problems before they become big ones.
6. Provide Social Time
Horses are herd animals. If your horse lives alone, see if they can at least see or touch other horses. Even a single paddock buddy can help ease anxiety.
7. Create a Calm Space
Make sure your horse has access to a quiet shelter, especially during storms or loud events. A three-sided run-in or well-bedded stall works great.
8. Use Calming Supplements (If Needed)
Sometimes, even with all the above, horses still need a little extra help.
EquiElite’s SC (Stress Control) formula is designed to support horses through travel, training, weaning, or seasonal changes. Always ask your vet or equine nutritionist before introducing supplements, especially if your horse is already on a specific diet.
Explore more: https://www.equielite-supplements.com/products/equielite-sc
Quick Reference: Is Your Horse Showing Signs of Stress?
Here’s a checklist to keep handy:
- Acting “off” for no clear reason?
- More reactive or resistant under saddle?
- Less interested in people or food?
- Loose manure or gut discomfort?
- Withdrawing from social or grooming time?
- Stuck in repetitive behaviors (stall walking, weaving)?
- Recently experienced a major change?
If you answered yes to one or more, your horse may be experiencing acute or chronic stress and it’s time to step in.
Final Thoughts: You Know Your Horse Best
At the end of the day, you’re the expert on your horse’s “normal.” When something feels off, don’t brush it aside. You don’t need to panic, just pay attention, stay curious, and be proactive.
The best thing you can do for your horse’s physical and mental health? Be consistent. Be kind. And never stop learning.
