How stress influences the health and behaviour of horses

Recent research has highlighted the causes, diagnosis and management of stress to improve health and performance in horses, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have had first-hand experience of the impact that a stressful environment can have on our lives. Research into the effects of stress on the health and performance of horses has also recently attracted attention.

There are four main effects of stress on a horse. The first is physiological; in a performance horse, this usually manifests as colic and gastric ulcers, while in a broodmare it can lower fertility due to resorption of the foal in early pregnancy.