In light of the recent scenes from the modern pentathlon at the Tokyo Olympics, I believe it is important to understand a bit about stress in horses.
Stress in horses is not only psychological but also physiological! When your horse is presented with a situation, the fight or flight response kicks in. The nervous and endocrine systems are very active sending signals throughout the horses body in response. At this point the adrenal glands are secreting adrenaline and that stress hormone CORTISOL. This causes an increased heart rate, dilation of blood vessels to the limbs (so that they can flee quickly), constriction of the blood vessels to the gastrointestinal system and dilation of the pupils so they can see better. Wow! Did you know all that was happening?
Q: Do you know the signs of stress in horses?
Here are some of the signs to look out for:
Altered facial expressions (ears back, tense muzzle, dilated nostrils, wide eyes) Rapid swishing or clamping of the tail Head tossing and shaking Pawing the ground or pacing in the stable Weight loss (overtime)
I am very lucky to be able to work with horses and to help relieve stress and tension. Over the past few weeks I have seen some wonderful responses to massage treatments. As owners we can continue to learn and understand our horses.
Happy Horse = Happy Owner
Marianne
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