Despite their immense size, horses can be deeply emotional creatures. There are many contributing factors that can increase a horse’s stress. It’s important to recognize these factors and be aware of any symptoms that show a horse is stressed.
When something changes in their routine, a horse can have a hard time adjusting. Because a horse doesn’t know how to process their thoughts and feelings the way a person can, stress can build quite easily. When a horse is stressed, he or she displays several signs to note that something is wrong.
If you suspect that your horse is stressed, read on to learn about signs you might observe. In this article, we will explore the triggers that might be causing your horse stress, the effects of unmanaged stress in horses, and what you can do as a horse owner to provide relief.
Signs of Stress in Horses
Horses are creatures of habit. They tend to thrive best when they’re able to keep a predictable schedule. This predictable schedule can be in terms of grazing, feeding, and exercise. When a horse’s normal schedule is disrupted in some way, the horse may show signs of stress.
Even if changes in the horse’s life seem minimal to humans, a horse can perceive it as a threat to its security. Even a small adjustment can have a strong impact on their stress level. While changes in routine are sometimes inevitable, it’s important to know what to look for to know if a horse is feeling more stress.
Signs of stress in horses include the following:
