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Horses are sensitive creatures. Because of that, most horse owners have had to deal with a stressed horse at one time or another. Causes of stress vary from psychological to biological to situational. However, no matter the reason, it’s crucial to calm down your horse as quickly as possible so it won’t injure itself or you.
Here are a few tips to help you calm your stressed horse:
Remove Your Horse from Stressful Situations
One of the first steps to calming your stressed horse is discovering what caused him to be stressed. Once you’ve ascertained the root cause, determine if it’s something you can remove or change.
If it’s a situation that can’t be changed, then it would be best for you and your horse to avoid the situation.
Offer Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is a great way to help your horse overcome stress. That’s because horses are designed to run. That’s why their first instinct in the face of danger is to bolt. You can leverage this natural response by keeping your horse busy with regular exercise. This is where horse equipment comes in handy. It can help you keep your horse’s cortisol (flight or fight hormone) levels low, resulting in a calmer horse.
Adjust Your Body Language
One thing horses do well is read your body language. If your body language shows you’re also stressed out by the horse’s anxiety, it will only elevate the problem. Instead, be a strong, firm, and confident leader. Stand by his head and blow out in a woofing noise at anything scary he might be focusing on. Your horse will sense that you’re in control, leading him to feel secure. As a result, he’ll calm down and relax.
Get Your Horse a Friend
Horses are social animals. Contact with other horses is a good way to keep your horse happy. The company of other horses will help your horse feel safe and secure. Because of herd mentality, horses naturally feel safer when among other horses.
Train Consistently
Another great way to help your horse overcome stress is to train consistently. This will help your horse keep his mind from the cause of the stress. Also, keeping to a regular training schedule will help keep his stress levels down as it gives him a sense of control. Whether you use a horse exerciser or take him out for a hill workout, make sure your horse is getting his regular dose of training.
Offer Your Horse a Fun Distraction
Just like human beings, horses also need some fun to help them get over a stressful situation. This could be a full pampering session or just spending some quality time walking in a field. You can also get his favorite horse accessories and play with him. Playtime is always a good distraction from the current stress your horse is going through.
Soothe Your Horse with Love
One thing that makes horses unique creatures is the way they’re sensitive. They thrive on emotional connections. That’s why one of the best ways to calm a stressed horse is to shower him with love. Of course, you must understand your horse’s temperament and love language to soothe your horse with love effectively.
How to Calm a Stressed Horse – Now You Know
Nothing beats riding a happy horse, and nothing is more dangerous than riding a jittery horse. It could lead to you or the horse getting injured. That’s why you must do everything in your power to help calm your horse.
With the tips outlined above and a good horse exercise machine, you’ll soon get your horse calm and back to his usual self. If you need equine products to help keep your horse fit and calm, of course, give us a call at 831-319-2704.