Helping horses cope with previous traumatic events

Experts cover how trauma affects horses’ welfare and how to help them deal with such events

- LUCY ELDER

THE way horses respond to stressful situations and the lasting impact of a bad experience in early life have been highlighted by experts, who advised how owners can help horses in such situations.

Neuroscientist Emma Lethbridge and equine behaviour consultant Justine Harrison covered signs of trauma and the impact it can have, at a World Horse Welfare webinar (13 March).

They stressed the need to have the “five domains”, which include the freedom to behave normally and freedom from pain, hunger, thirst and fear, as the crucial starting point.

“I think one of the most important things we can do is be aware of trauma and to be informed,” said Dr Lethbridge. “A lot of horses experience trauma, and a lot of behaviours are due to having been through incredibly stressful events.”

Dr Lethbridge explained that trauma can be acute – one very stressful event such as an accident – chronic – such as abuse or neglect over time – or complex – a combination of acute and chronic events.