The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared:
- The horse’s vision is compromised
- The horse is in pain
- The horse’s tack doesn’t fit
- The diet is out of whack
- The horse needs more training
- The owner/rider is anxious
- The horse needs more exercise
- The horse is not getting to live like a horse
- Maybe the horse was born that way
Source: The Horse, September 3, 2017.
Managing an anxious horse can be challenging. Finding the root cause of the horse’s anxiety and creating a plan to address it—from a veterinarian examination to a nutrition analysis to seeking professional help—can help improve the quality of time spent with the horse and keep everyone involved safe.
INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this information on social media, websites and in newsletters. It is also good for youth equine programs.