Equine Anxiety & Depression

Horses, by nature, are susceptible to anxiety and depression. The reason behind this is two-fold. Horses are considered prey animals. They are programmed to instantly flee and seek the protection of the herd in dangerous situations. Isolating horses from others contributes to both conditions.

  1. Herd Mentality

    • While it is difficult and sometimes economically impossible for one owner to keep more than one horse, it is imperative to the horse's mental well-being to be kept in a communal living arrangement. It is best for a horse to be able to move about freely in a pasture with others; stabling them individually can work as well, as long as they are within visual contact.

    Exercise

    • Keeping a horse properly conditioned and mentally stimulated also wards off anxiety and depression issues. It is imperative that a horse receive ample opportunities for exercise either through riding or pasture turnouts. Horses should also be provided toys, training and social time with other horses to prevent boredom.

    Training

    • Proper training to desensitize a horse to anxiety-producing stimuli is a must in order to keep both horse and rider safe. Horses that experience anxiety may bolt or rear, dislodging the rider and causing injury or injuring its handler.

    Drug Therpay

    • Horses that experience depression or anxiety that does not respond to conventional treatment are prescribed drugs to help manage the condition. Acepromazine is commonly used to help suppress anxiety in certain situations.

    Underlying Causes

    • The underlying cause for depression must be identified before drugs can be administered. Some horses undergo bouts of depression in response to a viral or bacterial infection or as a response to pain. A veterinary examination is paramount to determining whether or not there are any underlying causes and finding proper treatment protocols for anxiety and depression.