Equine remedies for treating stress, anxiety and depression to alleviate mental distress in horses.

Horse Distress

equine distress remedies for treating anxiety and depression in horses

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What Causes Horse Distress?
Help for Horse Distress
More Information on Horse Distress

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What Causes Horse Distress?

There are a number of things that can cause a horse to become distressed, and as a horse owner it can be very difficult to see your horse in such a state. Some horses are sensitive and are easily startled at the first sign of an unfamiliar situation, sound or setting.

Horses that spook easily are also more prone to feel anxious and afraid, and can become easily distressed when they feel trapped or threatened. Physical pain and discomfort can also cause your horse to become distressed and in some cases something as small as ill-fitting tack is enough to cause your horse great anxiety. Traveling and the hype of horse shows can also cause stress in a young, inexperienced horse.

Help for Horse Distress

Natural Remedies

There are many natural ingredients that can greatly help a distressed or anxious horse. For example, Chamomilla is an excellent calming herb which helps to soothe fearful, angry and irritable horses and can also be used to reduce restlessness and soothe equine depression. Another useful homeopathic ingredient for distress is Kali phos, which works on the nervous system and is very useful for stressed horses, or those with a nervous disposition.

Similarly, Asarum and Phosphorus are recommended for skittish and nervous horses as they are well known for their beneficial calming and relaxing properties. Lastly, Cina, which is often used to treat tantrums in children, is particularly useful in addressing deep issues stemming from past abuse and mistrust.

More Information on Horse Distress

Tips to help alleviate horse distress

If your horse is distressed, the first thing you need to do is to determine the underlying cause. In some cases, distress is transient and caused by a fear reaction. In other cases, distress is caused by physical pain, so make sure you thoroughly examine your horse for anything that may be causing pain or discomfort before treating him.
Build a strong relationship with your horse so that he trusts you and knows that you have his interests at heart. Building a strong relationship will help your horse feel more confident and assured of you as the leader.
If your horse is easily distressed or often stressed and anxious, you may consider increasing your horse’s amount of turn-out time. This will allow your horse to get more exercise which will help keep them calm.
Look into calming natural supplements for horses.