Horses have evolved to handle immense physical stress. They are built for speed, endurance, and survival in the wild. But as Mary Ann Simonds points out in A Horse by Nature, horses are far less equipped to manage mental and emotional stress—something that is increasingly relevant in modern equestrian training. While their bodies can recover from physical exertion, emotional and mental tension can linger, affecting their performance, well-being, and relationship with their riders.
Research supports this perspective, showing that psychological stressors significantly impact equine well-being. Studies indicate that horses exhibit classic physiological stress responses, such as elevated plasma cortisol levels, in reaction to mental stress during training. This suggests that psychological stress can have profound effects on a horse’s physiological state. Furthermore, different forms of stress have been shown to influence equine learning, depending on the stressor and the type of learning task. Horses are also highly sensitive to human emotions and can mirror the stress responses of their handlers, further reinforcing the importance of a mindful approach to training.
As riders, trainers, and caretakers, it’s essential that we recognise, understand, and manage emotional stress in horses. More importantly, we must shift our focus towards reflective and mindful training, ensuring that our methods support the horse’s mental and emotional state rather than just conditioning the body.
Recognising Emotional and Mental Stress in Horses
Unlike physical exhaustion, emotional stress manifests in subtle ways. Some common signs include:
Tension in the jaw, lips, or eyes – A tight muzzle, excessive blinking, or a hard eye can indicate stress.
Tail swishing or wringing – While sometimes a reaction to flies, frequent or aggressive tail movement signals frustration or anxiety.
Pinned ears or head tossing – Indicators that the horse is confused, irritated, or feeling pressured.
Freezing or shutting down – This is a sign of learned helplessness, where the horse no longer reacts because it has been conditioned to suppress natural responses.
Gastrointestinal issues – Stress can lead to ulcers, loss of appetite, or other digestive disturbances.
Understanding these signs helps us move beyond a reactive approach (correcting unwanted behaviour) and towards preventing stress before it escalates.
What Causes Mental and Emotional Stress in Horses?
Horses experience stress when they feel pressure without clarity. Some common stressors include:
Inconsistent or unclear training cues
Isolation from herd mates
Rushed training or excessive drilling
Overexposure to new environments without time to process
Negative rider emotions (frustration, anxiety, impatience)
As prey animals, horses are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings and to the emotions of those around them. A stressed rider often creates a stressed horse—one more reason why self-awareness and emotional control are crucial in horsemanship.
The Link Between Emotional Well-Being and Reflective Training
Reflective training is an approach that emphasises understanding, patience, and two-way communication. Instead of pushing a horse through resistance, it involves pausing, reassessing, and allowing the horse to process what is being asked.
Core Principles of Reflective Training:
Listen to the Horse – Instead of seeing resistance as defiance, recognise it as communication.
Break Down Tasks – Introduce new concepts in small, digestible steps.
Use Positive Reinforcement – Reward efforts, the slightest tries, not just perfection.
Allow for Processing Time – Give the horse space to think and respond rather than demanding instant compliance.
Stay Emotionally Neutral when needed – If frustration arises, take a break and reset.
Mindfulness: The Missing Link in Horsemanship
Mindfulness in training means being fully present, emotionally balanced, and attuned to the horse’s responses. It’s about developing an awareness of both the horse’s mental state and our own.
Mindful riders:
Regulate their breathing and emotions to maintain a calm presence.
Observe without judgement, adapting their training to meet the horse where he/she is.
Focus on partnership rather than dominance, creating a trusting relationship.
Final Thoughts
Managing emotional and mental stress in horses is not just about making them easier to train—it’s about ensuring their overall well-being and happiness. By adopting reflective and mindful training methods, we create an environment where both horse and rider can thrive.
Next time you work with your horse, take a moment to observe—not just what they do, but how they feel. The more we listen, the better our partnerships will be.
Want to explore more?
Simonds, M. A. (2023). A Horse by Nature: Managing Emotional and Mental Stress in Horses for Improved Welfare.
Rutgers Equine Science Center. (n.d.). Stress Management for Equine Athletes. Retrieved from: https://esc.rutgers.edu/fact_sheet/stress-management-for-equine-athletes/
Lesimple, C. et al. (2022). Effects of Stress on Equine Learning: A Review. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8816904/
Heleski, C. et al. (2023). Equine Sensitivity to Human Emotional States: A Review. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10886220/
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