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Calming Horses - Management Considerations
If you have a horse with a nervous nature, you may want to start thinking about how you can manage their stress levels. Stress and digestion are symbiotic; stress can cause digestive issues, and digestive issues can cause stress. Eliminating digestive discomfort needs to be a primary concern when feeding excitable horses. Improved digestive health alone can lead to behavioural improvements, and new positive learned behaviour.
Performance horses can be subject to additional stresses such as; competing, travelling, extended time stabled and higher starch content diets. Base your horse’s diet around ad-lib fibre, supported by a balanced diet low in sugar and starch, which is also whole cereal and molasses free, and you’ll be well on your way.
Choosing feed products which include oils such as soya and linseed, will provide a safe slow-release energy source or allow your horse to gain condition, limiting the fizzy response that high starch diets can contribute towards. Feed containing quality digestible protein and probiotics aid gut function, a benefit to all ponies and horses daily well-being. You may need to feed additional calming ingredients to help improve focus; magnesium, L-tryptophan and chamomile being some of the most commonly used. Unwanted behaviour and stress can be linked to feed, incorrect feeding can easily exacerbate the problem. A full holistic approach towards behavioural improvement is important, including awareness of their natural behaviour, daily management, and schooling goals, whether in-hand or ridden.
One of the most common health problems linked to diet and/or stress is that of digestive discomfort, in some cases leading to the onset of Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS). This can lead to reduced performance, change in temperament, increased sensitivity to grooming, girthing and work, and poor coat condition. Diet can have a hugely beneficial effect on the overall health benefits for your horse.
Management considerations
- Look for typical anxious behaviour to assess whether your horse could be showing signs of stress, such as; weight loss, spooking, pacing, excessive whinnying, sweating, crib-biting, inability to stand still, grinding teeth, sensitivity to grooming (especially over the loins), or sensitivity to girthing
- Maintain a routine as this can be comforting to horses. Try to keep a regular time for yard visits and feeding, without being ruled by the clock as this could cause you to feel on edge.
- Nervous horses who are turned out on their own may get stressed and run around, risking injury to themselves - consider a friendly field partner or companion.
- When turned out make sure your horse has shade if hot, or shelter (a high wall, hedge or tree line) if cold, wet and windy.
- Avoid turning out with horses who may show aggressive tendencies or overly possessive behaviour both with your horse and others.
- In winter, horses could be stabled for extended periods of time, and potentially clipped out, you may find excitable behaviour becomes more prevalent, be ready in good time to prepare for this seasonal change.
- In spring, a flush of new grass can trigger fizzy behaviour due to increased sugar content of new growth, be ready for this as spring approaches.
- Keep exercise varied and enjoyable, from in-hand work, to hacking, pole work, schooling, jumping and more. This helps mental stimulation and burns good levels of energy.
- Varied exercise helps to develop both physical and mental maturity, and can create a great bond between you and your horse.
This Blog was brought to you in partnership with Blue Chip Feed Ltd. See all their products available from Chestnut Mill Using this link Blue Chip Feed
