Read below to see 6 key stress indicators, the less obvious, smaller signals are often missed.
1. Raising of the head
This is an obvious signal that can easily be overlooked when you are in the middle of a session, but it is one of the easiest signals to notice.
—> Check out this video of how a relaxed, low head carriage can change quite quickly, as circumstances change. You can see once he has come to a stop, his head is higher and seems more alert/distracted.
2. Breathing changes
You may notice a change to your horses breathing. It is key to note how your horse breathes when they are settled in the field or yard, so you have a base line to judge when their breathing may change. When they are more stressed or anxious their breathing may become more hurried or shallower.
Check out the below short video of shallow, slightly hurried breathing – he is awaiting his field companion to return.
Question to ask yourself – Would you notice the slightest breath change of your horse?
3. Heightened sensitivity or agitation
You have probably noticed that your horse can grow a few hands (or so it feels) when they are anxious. They also tend to become more responsive or explosive when you ask them to do something when they are in this state – for example if you are in the area and something spooks them, they going off snorting and looking a bit like a giraffe and hollowing their back. Another example could simply be turning one horse out and not another, does one or both get agitated and start moving around or pawing at the ground, are they grabbing at their hay ferociously and looking around a lot? These are all indicators that your horse is in a heightened state, is stressed and agitated. Top tip – this is not the time to jump on their back for a relaxing ride out.
4. You might find it difficult to get their attention
As I am sure you know, one of the key things we need from our horse either on the ground on mounted, is their attention. To ensure we are safe and the horse is responding to our aids we need their attention – and this should really be at all times when we are in close proximity to them. If they are half listening or stuck looking at something else, you are probably setting yourself up for a potential rocky session. If you can get your horse’s full attention, (ensuring they haven’t glazed over in the process) you are building your relationship with your horse and ensuring your safety at the same time. It also brings more accurate results across the board, whether that be spacial awareness, groundwork, less spooking, dressage, show jumping or anything in between..
But I hear you asking…..’how do I get my horse’s attention’? Well that is an article on my to do list – I will link it up once it is published :-).
5. Ear immobility
This may not be a term you are aware of, but it is in fact another key indicator of whether your horse is feeling anxious. If your horse can change its focus/attention whilst on the ground or ridden then you know they are not overly worried and can come back to the present when you ask them to.
- On the ground I would try moving around your horse (safely), are they watching/following you, is one or both of their ears moving/following you, or is it fixed?
- If you have a sensitive horse then a slight move of your foot, wave of your hand or slight touch of a whip (mounted) can ‘request’ your horses ear and attention if you feel they are distracted. (This might take a little practice).
Ear mobility isn’t a targeted ‘fix’, but normally comes along once you have gained your horses attention and improved your communication. Once your horse is less anxious and more relaxed their ears will generally become more mobile.
6. Fidgeting, pawing, head tossing…
All of the above are examples of your horse being stressed, for a huge variety of reasons that can only be determined by observing your horse and their surroundings.
- Are they looking at something?
- Are they shying away from something?
- Did something happen e.g. a noise to startle them?
- Are they waiting for something e.g. their evening feed or their friend?
- Did you move them away from their horse friend, or did they friend get moved away from them? (This is the cause of the horses destress in the below short video.
An indication that your horse was stressed or anxious:
There are a variety of ways your horse can ‘let down’ (show they are having a release and are less stressed): by exhaling a large breath, licking or chewing, or continuously yawning. These are key indicators that your horse was in a heightened emotional state, sometimes it is very obvious that your horse isn’t happy, they might become nappy, spooky, distracted, or won’t move forward, but sometimes they get a little uptight over small situations we don’t recognise as being stressful. These indicators can highlight that your horse was feeling a little stressed or anxious and might be a sign that you may wish to take a little extra time and see whether you can help your horse work through a situation, this could be by taking a little extra time going past something scary, or connecting with your horse by giving them a rub to reassure them that all is ok. The list is endless.
Other key indicators could include:
Off course the above list is not exhaustive, there are many others including: Pacing, teeth grinding, crib biting, wind sucking, calling, box walking, chomping – the list is endless.