How to Calm Your Anxious Horse

Horses are fight or flight animals, so when they are put into stressful situations they have a tendency to become anxious and take flight. Some horses will be less nervous than others because of how they are able to handle stress. The best way to reduce your horse's anxiety is to help him release some of his nervous energy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start by increasing your horse's amount of turn-out time. This will allow your horse to expend extra energy and be in its natural setting. This alone can work as a huge calming factor.

2. Talk to your feed supplier and inquire about low energy feeds. Equine nutrition is very advanced and feed stores are generally up-to-date with this information, especially national brands.

3. Introduce your horse to a toy. There are many different types of toys that you can buy for your horse. These toys can redirect your horse's mind from stress to play.

4. Increase your horse's work time. This will help your horse concentrate on work rather than worrying.

5. Look into supplements that have a natural calming affect on a horse.

Tips & Warnings

• Consulting a veterinarian at anytime is a good idea.