We put a lot of effort into preparing our horses for events and it can come as a big disappointment when a horse’s stress or anxiety dominates the day. Whilst it’s hard to predict which events your horse might be adversely affected by, you can plan ahead and have a few tricks up your sleeve.
Have a relaxation routine
Routine is good for you and good for your horse! From your horse’s point of view, the moment it steps off the float it is confronted with new sights, sounds and smells. It’s akin to stepping outside your front door to find yourself unexpectedly in Disneyland.
A seasoned horse takes this in stride and goes with the flow. But it’s little surprise that a novice or easily stressed horse can revert to an instinctive state of alertness. If possible, travel your horse with a calm companion that your sensitive horse can look to for leadership. Once off the float, give your sensitive horse a chance to walk off nervous energy along with its calm companion. If an in-hand walk around the event space isn’t practical, then seek an exercise area where your nervous horse can safely be walked in-hand.
If your horse isn’t used to being stabled or yarded, then it’s a good idea to schedule walks throughout the day as part of your horse’s wellness routine.
Help your horse’s inner stress response
Aside from general skittishness, another outward sign that your horse is stressed can be loose manure. If your horse is prone to digestive upset at events, consider a product such as HYGAIN® DIGEST & PROTECT® to support its digestive health.
HYGAIN® DIGEST & PROTECT® contains Red Seaweed Extract (Lithothamnion calcareum), which is rich in a specific, highly effective source of calcium, that may be of benefit in buffering acid in the stressed horse’s stomach. In addition, DIGEST & PROTECT® contains digestive enzymes, Glutamine, Threonine, Concentrated Slippery elm, Curcumin, Prebiotics, Probiotics and a Mycotoxin binder to support overall gastrointestinal health.
Master your own feelings
When your horse’s confidence is crumbling, it’s your cue to step up and become its influence for calm. If you feel affected by your horse’s nerves, take a minute to regroup and approach the situation with a fresh outlook.
Encouraging the stressed horse to drink
Stressed horses may turn their nose up at drinking water away from home. Fussy horses may also refuse the water on offer at events, which leads to dehydration and stress for the animal. There are a number of tricks for encouraging water uptake. These range from the labour intensive task of BYO water (to give the horse a “taste of home,”) to the somewhat easier approach of flavouring the water with a purpose made product, or an electrolyte. HYGAIN® REGAIN® is rapid electrolyte replacer formulated for horses to replace body salts lost during exercise, hot climatic conditions and as an aid in the treatment of dehydration, hypochloraemia and alkalosis.
