Even the most seasoned competition horse or steady trail companion can experience stress. Transport, unfamiliar environments, weather changes, altered feeding schedules, or even herd dynamics can all tip the balance.
While you can’t remove every possible trigger, you can learn to recognise the signs early and manage them effectively. This not only helps your horse stay calmer and more focused but also supports their long-term health and performance.
Signs of stress
Some stress signs are obvious – a horse pacing the fence or calling for their paddock mate.
Others are subtle and easy to misread as training issues or stubbornness. Experienced owners watch for a combination of behaviour, physical changes, and timing, rather than relying on one sign alone.
Common indicators of stress include:
- A noticeable shift in personality, such as becoming unusually grumpy, withdrawn, or more reactive than usual.
- Development of stereotypical behaviours like weaving, box walking, wind-sucking, pacing in the paddock or crib-biting.
- Repeated yawning in situations of stress (as opposed to relaxed sunbathing).
- Grinding of the teeth, often a sign of tension or discomfort.
- Changes in ridden behaviour, including bucking, head tossing, rushing fences, or stopping unexpectedly.
- Physical signs such as flared nostrils, pinned ears, or sweating without obvious exertion.
- Alterations in digestion, such as loose manure, reduced appetite, or mild colic signs after a stressful event.
- Indicators of EGUS, including girthiness, reluctance to work, dullness, and loss of appetite.
- An increase in the frequency or looseness of droppings.
And what could be causing stress? Well, there are a few subtle stressors worth keeping on your radar, such as:
- Seasonal daylight changes that influence hormone cycles
- Changes in herd hierarchy or the arrival of a new paddock neighbour
- Persistent low-grade discomfort from saddle fit changes or early arthritis
- Over-supplementation or high-starch feeds that contribute to excitability
Keeping a simple log of these signs alongside workload, diet, and environmental changes can help pinpoint specific triggers.
Temporary vs ongoing support with supplements
Not all horses need the same approach. Some require fast-acting support during predictable high-pressure situations. Others do better with consistent, ongoing management that helps them cope with a range of stressors – and many benefit from a mix of both.
Quick support options
These are best used before or during a specific stress event, such as competitions, long floats, or vet and farrier visits. Stress relief pastes often work within an hour and can take the edge off without dulling your horse’s responsiveness.
For targeted, fast-acting relief, try Poseidon Stress Paste.
Ongoing support
Daily feed supplements, such as powders or pellets, aim to support the nervous system over time. They can reduce overreactions, improve trainability, and help prevent stress escalation.
This approach works well for horses in regular work, those travelling frequently, or horses exposed to constant environmental changes.
For ongoing stress and anxiety relief, try:
- KER B-Quiet: Combines magnesium and thiamine for daily calm and focus.
- Kohnke’s Mag E: A Magnesium, Vitamin E, and B1 blend for muscle and nerve support.
- Kelato Betacalm: A blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that may help reduce nervousness or hyperreactivity.
Key ingredients for stress relief and what they do
| Ingredient | Effect |
|---|---|
| Tryptophan | This is an amino acid the body uses to produce serotonin, which plays a role in mood regulation, relaxation, and focus. So it works well for horses that become overly tense or distracted in competition or busy training settings. |
| Magnesium | Magnesium is vital for muscle relaxation and stable nerve function. Low levels of it can cause muscle tightness, overreactions, or difficulty focusing. Particularly useful for horses prone to tension or “jumpiness”. |
| Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | Thiamine is essential for nerve function and mental clarity. It’s often recommended for horses sensitive to environmental changes, or those on high-grain diets that can interfere with thiamine absorption. |
Getting the most from supplements
Not all supplements are created equal and absorption rates can vary depending on form and formulation.
Take magnesium as an example. While magnesium oxide is a standard and affordable option, it’s less soluble in the gut, meaning your horse may only absorb a small portion of what you feed.
Chelated magnesium, on the other hand, is bound to an amino acid, making it easier for the body to absorb and use. Better absorption means your horse gets more of the benefits without needing to feed as much of it. This makes it a valuable choice for horses in regular work, those with naturally tense temperaments, or when pasture conditions place extra demands on their mineral balance.
It’s also worth considering how calming products fit with the rest of your feeding program. Combining multiple products with overlapping actives (like magnesium or thiamine) can create imbalances.
Where possible, test your horse’s forage or feed before supplementing so you can target what’s genuinely lacking rather than doubling up unnecessarily.
Always check labels for ingredient overlap. Too much of the same active can cause imbalances.
Everyday management of stress and anxiety
Supplements work best when combined with consistent, low-stress handling and an environment tailored to your horse’s needs.
That said, good habits to adopt include:
- Keep feeding, turnout, and training schedules consistent to reduce uncertainty. Horses thrive on routine.
- Ensure your horse has a stable or paddock set-up that feels secure and familiar.
- Introduce new experiences or environments slowly to build resilience over time.
- Mix schooling with hacks, groundwork, and relaxed turnout to prevent mental fatigue.
- Maintain a healthy diet, ensuring they get the correct nutrition for their age, condition score and level of activity and exercise.
At the end of the day, every horse is an individual. Some thrive with minimal support, while others benefit from a structured plan that combines diet, supplements, and handling strategies.
Want more help?
Our friendly in-store teams can help you figure choose the right supplement – whether it’s calming support, digestive health, or just filling in a few nutritional gaps – and show you how to fit it easily into their current feed routine.
Or browse our collection of horse stress relief supplements online.