{"id":36265,"date":"2016-06-14T22:14:28","date_gmt":"2016-06-14T19:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/?p=36265"},"modified":"2016-06-14T22:14:28","modified_gmt":"2016-06-14T19:14:28","slug":"managing-anxious-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/2016\/06\/14\/managing-anxious-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing the Anxious Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/b>Michelle N. Anderson<\/span><\/h5>\n

Finding the root cause of your horse\u2019s anxiety and creating a plan to address it\u2014from a veterinarian examination to a nutrition analysis to seeking professional help\u2014can help improve the quality of time spent with your horse. <\/span><\/p>\n

Photo: Photos.com<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re headed down the trail, enjoying a pleasant chat with your riding buddy, when a grouse suddenly flushes from the brush. Your horse spooks and bolts as you grab the reins and try to bring him to a stop. While you\u2019re not happy with his reaction, you\u2019re not really surprised: He spooks all the time<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Granted, horses are prey animals, and by their very nature have a fight or flight response when facing novel or frightening stimuli. But your horse seems more anxious than most. He cries when left by his friends; startles at shadows; fusses in the crossties; and becomes a sweaty mess in the trailer. Why is he so anxious all the time, and can you do anything about his dramatic reactions?<\/span><\/p>\n

To find out, we talked to veterinarians, researchers, and equine professionals, about causes of anxious behavior in horses and solutions to help keep you, your horse, and those around you safe. Here\u2019s what they have to say about the possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE: Your horse’s vision is compromised.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Horses rely on their eyesight for survival, so it\u2019s no surprise that a horse with vision changes or loss might become anxious and easily frightened. \u201cVision loss can be associated with spooking, stopping, refusing jumps, bolting, bucking, and any other response horses make to fear,\u201d says Mary Lassaline, DVM, PhD, MA, Dipl. ACVO, an equine ophthalmology specialist at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Teaching Hospital.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lassaline describes two types of eye issues that can lead to vision changes: cloudiness that obstructs vision in an eye that could otherwise see (picture sitting in a car with a foggy windshield) and a functional issue that makes the eye unable to do its job (the car with a clear windshield, but a dead engine). Both can impede or eliminate a horse\u2019s vision and cause behavioral changes, such as a horse becoming anxious in situations he used to handle without issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you suspect your horse’s vision is fading, contact your veterinarian and schedule an eye exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo: Kevin Thompson\/The Horse<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> If you suspect your horse\u2019s vision is fading, Lassaline suggests contacting your veterinarian and scheduling an eye exam. Veterinarians can often diagnose the cause of vision loss there on the farm. However, \u201cin some cases, more advanced testing might be necessary, and this may warrant referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vision impairment doesn\u2019t mean retirement for all horses, Lassaline says, but you need to keep both human and horse safety at front of mind. She offers advice for helping relieve a seeing-impaired horse\u2019s anxiety: \u201cHelp the horse to use other senses,\u201d Lassaline says. \u201cFor example, talk to the horse in a calm voice, put a hand on (his) neck or shoulder when approaching him to let him know where you are. In addition to keeping his environment consistent and helping him navigate safely, taking the time to retrain a visually impaired horse can really improve the quality of life for both horse and owner. If the horse has one visual eye, let him turn his head to use that eye to see both sides. If the horse is completely blind, be his eyes and teach him that he can trust you. Take everything slowly and stay calm, and don\u2019t push the horse if he is afraid.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0Your horse is in pain.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Anxiety and Depression Society of America, anxious humans commonly have related pain disorders, such as arthritis, migraines, or back pain. We know from equitation science research that horses feel and react to pain, too, says Carissa Wickens, PhD, equine Extension specialist and assistant professor in the University of Florida\u2019s Department of Animal Sciences, where she conducts research on horse behavior, welfare, and nutrition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear in Horses<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Anecdotally, Wickens says, it\u2019s no surprise that veterinarians, equine body workers, researchers, and equine behavior experts also find associations between anxious horses and chronic pain, such as that caused by navicular syndrome, arthritis, or gastric ulcers. \u201cJust like with any species, if a horse is experiencing pain, it can disrupt their whole behavior repertoire,\u201d she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Josh Zacharias, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, who treats Western and English sport horses in Fort Collins, Colorado, says he often sees performance anxiety\u2014such as hesitation to go into the arena, acting up in the box (in roping horses), or simple head-tossing\u2014in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Physical pain is where Wickens\u2019 help as an equine behavior expert ends and the need for a veterinarian begins, she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or your trainer suspects your anxious horse is in pain, Zacharias says a thorough physical exam is a must, including dental and lameness checks, to rule out lameness and body or back soreness or pinpoint and treat any pain issues possibly associated with the anxiety. \u201cA general physical to detect internal medicine-related abnormalities may also be necessary,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, many anxious or stressed horses suffer from gastric ulcer syndrome, which is highly painful and can exacerbate anxious behavior, Zacharias says. Pain management medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also increase the possibility for ulcers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChronic or severe pain will lead to elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the blood, which may promote gastric ulceration,\u201d he adds. \u201cIf a horse has had previous episodes or history of ulcers, I believe it is necessary to administer preventive medications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0Your horse’s tack doesn’t fit.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

If your horse’s saddle is pinching or uncomfortable, it could be causing him pain-associated anxiety. <\/span><\/p>\n

Photo: Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor<\/span><\/p>\n

Along the same lines as pain-associated anxiety, a horse wearing a saddle that\u2019s pinching or uncomfortable might become anxious, Wickens says. The same goes for a bit that\u2019s pinching his lips or a bridle that\u2019s too tight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> If you suspect your horse is getting amped up and anxious due to a poorly fitting saddle, look for areas where it might be pinching or galling your horse (on Western saddles, look under the cinch, and make sure your saddle pad isn\u2019t too tight over your horse\u2019s withers, for instance). For a closer look at how your saddle might be hurting your horse<\/span>, consider hiring an independent saddle fitter to evaluate it, Wickens suggests.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0His diet is out of whack.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The horse world is full of myths when it comes to \u201chot\u201d horses, says independent equine nutritionist Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS, of Liburt Equine Nutritional Consulting, in Long Island, New York.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, people used to think high-protein diets, including forages such as alfalfa, gave horses extra energy. Not true, says Liburt. However, \u201chigh-energy (calorie) diets<\/span> combined with a lack of turnout or exercise can lead to restlessness, not to mention the risk of obesity<\/span>, laminitis<\/span>, and stable vices (stereotypies),\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sugar in a carbohydrate-rich diet can also play a role in anxious equine behavior. \u201cSugars are metabolized quickly, as a fast source of energy, which can be a very good thing\u2014think bursting out of the starting gate or racing around a cloverleaf pattern,\u201d Liburt says. \u201cEver skip lunch, then grab a candy bar in the middle of the afternoon for a quick snack? Perhaps you get that sugar rush, then the crash (that follows).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> First, says Liburt, consult your veterinarian to rule out other causes of fearful behavior, such as the pain or vision issues already mentioned. Then, work with your veterinarian or turn to an equine nutritionist to evaluate and modify your horse\u2019s diet. He might benefit from a low-sugar, high-fat diet<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA diet change isn\u2019t necessarily a guaranteed behavior fix, but it\u2019s definitely a good place to start.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Nettie Libert<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared to sugar, fat takes a long time to metabolize, and its energy release is slow and sustaining. \u201cTherefore, you avoid the rush and crash from a high-starch, high-sugar diet,\u201d Liburt says. \u201cHorses that are spooky, nervous, or excitable often benefit from a higher-fat, lower-carb diet to help level out the overall release of energy from the diet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, some calming supplements might help relax the anxious horse, although research supporting their efficacy is limited, Liburt says. Some purported calming ingredients include St. John\u2019s Wort, kava, passionflower, valerian root, B vitamins, and magnesium. However, many are on the United States Equestrian Federation\u2019s banned substance list, Liburt cautions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA diet change isn\u2019t necessarily a guaranteed behavior fix, but it\u2019s definitely a good place to start,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0He needs more training.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Horses that don\u2019t know their jobs are more likely to become anxious when faced with new situations, says dressage trainer Natalie Perry of Bend, Oregon, who holds her United States Dressage Federation (USDF) gold medal for successfully competing through Grand Prix. In addition to coaching clients to their own USDF medals, Perry trains adult amateurs and young horses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Hire the help of a professional. Sometimes an inexperienced and anxious horse will find confidence in training, Perry says. Trainers, especially those riding full-time, have refined their timing in the saddle when it comes to using their legs, seat, and hands. \u201cI can apply the aids consistently and clearly teach the horse what the aids mean,\u201d she explains. \u201cThen I can teach the rider how to use those specific aids and help her communicate with the horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A professional trainer can also give the horse a daily routine, which anxious-type horses thrive on, Perry says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wickens adds that anxious horses can also benefit from ground training and improved in-hand manners. She recommends creating, again, a routine\u2014this time a set ground-handling pattern that catches your horse\u2019s attention, even when he\u2019s anxious. This could include backing, turns on the haunches, turns on the forehands, going forward, and stopping, she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0He misses his friends.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Horses are herd animals and, as such, feel safest when they\u2019re with buddies. Insecure horses might get worried when taken away from friends or hauled to new locations alone. They can become anxious\u2014and sometimes downright dangerous\u2014in these scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insecure horses can become anxious–and even downright dangerous–when separated from the herd. <\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Dealing with separation anxiety<\/span> is tricky, says Wickens, who points out that there\u2019s no straightforward solution. With time, experience, and training, an anxious horse can gain confidence when traveling to new places, she says. He might also benefit from and find comfort in that ground-handling routine you introduced to his training. But, for two tightly bonded horses traveling to a show together, she suggests stabling the horses apart\u2014in separate barns, if possible. \u201cIt can help, so they aren\u2019t getting reseparated every time one horse goes to the show ring,\u201d she offers.<\/span><\/p>\n

She also says she\u2019s seen positive research results on calming pheromone gels (TheHorse.com\/28332<\/span>), which manufacturers claim mimic those released by mares to help comfort foals. \u201cThose can be rubbed in the nostril or stall (wall),\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0You’re anxious.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Good horsemanship tells us that a nervous rider results in a nervous horse, and equitation science research supports that notion. \u201cStudies show heart rate and cortisol levels in horses increase along with their riders,\u201d Wickens says. (See TheHorse.com\/23697<\/span> or TheHorse.com\/28267<\/span> to read about some of these studies).<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Seek professional help, Perry says. Riders often unwittingly use incorrect or improperly timed aids or cues that are confusing to their horses. Perry says aligning the two\u2014first teaching the horse correct aids for what the rider really wants, then teaching those aids to the rider\u2014can help build both horse and rider confidence. Riding lessons and practice can also help build your skill set, so you\u2019re prepared to handle your horse\u2019s reaction to stressful stimuli in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0Your horse needs more exercise.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Horsemen and women have long prescribed \u201cwet saddle blankets\u201d to help build a horse\u2019s confidence and create a seasoned saddle mount. That means getting a horse under saddle and exercising them to the point they get sweaty, often. Horses are designed to move, Wickens explains, and sometimes their sedentary domesticated life, especially if it involves long hours in a stall and a carbohydrate diet, can set them up for anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHorses without a job sometimes find ways to entertain themselves that manifest in unwanted behaviors,\u201d Liburt points out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Get your horse in a consistent exercise program, whether that means riding him yourself or hiring a pro, Wickens suggests. Try scheduling rides as unbreakable appointments. Also maximize your horse\u2019s turnout.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0He’s not getting to “live like a horse.”<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Besides lack of exercise, limited turnout and management practices that don\u2019t align with a horse\u2019s nature, such as highly concentrated feedings and lack of socialization, are common contributors to equine anxiety, says Wickens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> For these horses Wickens recommends ample turnout time, environment enrichments (such as toys), companionship\u2014including allowing horses to live in herds\u2014and continual forage options using slow feeders or nets.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUSE:\u00a0Maybe he was born that way.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Certain breeds, such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians, are known for being \u201chotter\u201d than other breeds, such as, say, Quarter Horses or draft horses. With that being said, variation can occur within breeds, Wickens says, adding that University of Florida researchers are investigating the possible relationship between genetics and temperament. \u201cWe definitely see individual horses that are more prone to anxious behavior,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution<\/i><\/b> Wickens suggests taking a holistic approach to managing the horse that tends toward anxious behavior. That means looking at all possible influences on his anxiety and making management changes to support calmness and stress relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take-Home Message<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Managing an anxious horse can be challenging. Finding the root cause of your horse\u2019s anxiety and creating a plan to address it\u2014from a veterinarian examination to a nutrition analysis to seeking professional help\u2014can help improve the quality of time spent with your horse and keep everyone involved safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Src:\u00a0thehorse.com<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michelle N. Anderson Finding the root cause of your horse\u2019s anxiety and creating a plan to address it\u2014from a veterinarian examination to a nutrition analysis to seeking professional help\u2014can help improve the quality of time spent with your horse. Photo: Photos.com You\u2019re headed down the trail, enjoying a pleasant chat with your riding buddy, when …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":36263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[381],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36265"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alassalah.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}