| "body"> | | | | all good. |
| Horse stress can cause a variety of equine health | | | | 3. Isolation |
| problems but it is easy to spot and control. Stress | | | | Horses are herd animals. A herd provides security, |
| causes the release of cortisol, the "fight or flight" stress | | | | status, emotional support and entertainment. Without a |
| hormone. This is a good thing when the situation | | | | companion, many horses get lonely and stressed. |
| requires it, providing extra energy to flee predators or | | | | Pasture mates can be horses but they don't have to |
| other dangers. Chronic exposure to stress and the | | | | be horses. Goats, llamas and donkeys are amiable |
| continued release of cortisol, however, will have a | | | | companions, too. |
| negative impact on immunity, digestion, behavior, | | | | When stabling your horse, be sure she can see her |
| reproduction and the cardiovascular system. Gastric | | | | companions. Let her know she's not alone! |
| ulcers, colic, and diarrhea may also occur due to stress. | | | | 4. Boredom |
| So what stresses out a horse? They're not on | | | | Boredom can cause stress in horses. Provide toys to |
| deadline, they don't commute in heavy traffic, they | | | | combat common stress related behaviors such as |
| don't have to manage the complicated school and | | | | cribbing and weaving. Mirrors can reduce anxiety for |
| sports schedules of their children. | | | | horses confined in their stalls. Looking at themselves is |
| Typically, change to any of a horse's routine can | | | | very calming to some horses. This doesn't work for |
| cause an imbalance that leads to stress. Have you | | | | people. I've tried it. |
| changed feed? Different bedding? Changed pastures | | | | 5. Lack of Confidence |
| or pasture mates? Small changes can upset even the | | | | A confident horse is better able to cope with stress. |
| biggest horse. | | | | Gently expose your horse to new sights, sounds and |
| Here are some common sources of horse stress and | | | | smells, allowing your horse's natural curiosity to expand |
| some tips to overcome them: | | | | their experience of their environment. Encourage |
| 1. Improper Feeding | | | | exploration; don't force the issue. |
| In the wild, horses move and graze. In fact, feral | | | | 6. Contagious Stress |
| horses spend 70 percent of their time grazing. If your | | | | Speak to your horse in calming tones and stay cool. |
| horses are not on pasture, try to feed at least four | | | | Do not become stressed over the fact that your |
| times a day at regular intervals. | | | | horse is stressed. |
| Some feeds provide too much quick-release carbs. | | | | Reducing horse stress increases horse health. Many |
| Consider switching to a slow-energy feed. | | | | techniques require nothing more than an understanding |
| 2. Lack Of Exercise | | | | of a horse's basic evolutionary needs. Respect your |
| Like people, a little exercise goes a long way towards | | | | horse's natural instincts and she'll thrive, stress free! |
| burning off stress. A walk, a ride, additional turnout...it's | | | | |