What Causes Trauma's in Horses

What Can Cause Trauma In Horses

Observing horses engaging in harmful and destructive behaviours can be a daunting and upsetting experience for all concerned. These actions are often inherited when we buy a new horse and are not the fault of the new owners. They may have stemmed from factors that might not be immediately apparent to the horse's caretakers, which can take an emotional toll on both horse and human, as they often require constant monitoring and intervention.

Natural Horse NZ has been committed to helping hundreds of horses overcome many of these behavioural problems for the past two decades through our equine charity work. During this period, we have acquired a valuable understanding of the different indicators that horses may exhibit when impacted by Equine PTSD Syndrome and Behavioural Displacements brought about by their perception of trauma.

These behaviours can afflict horses in many ways, causing various symptoms that can include fear, anxiety, hypervigilance, bucking, bolting, freezing, refusal to move forward, difficulty picking up their feet, and a fear of the farrier or the vet, plus phobias involving horse trucks and floats, hoof care, bits, whips, spurs, tack etc. In addition, horses may exhibit aggression, biting, scrambling, pacing, wall kicking, stomping, bucking into the canter, crab walking, striking, kicking, pushing, tripping, stumbling, learned helplessness, catatonia, depression, self-harm, tongue sucking, head flicking, head bobbing, repeatedly rubbing their face on their legs, mouthing the bit excessively, wind sucking and cribbing, weaving, rubbing themselves raw, itching, scratching, biting themselves, purposeful asphyxia, lip popping and wood chewing, fence running, pawing, unable to be caught, and extreme fear of external stimuli and more.

Below are some potential explanations that could be contributing to such behaviour.

CAUSES OF TRAUMA AND DISPLACEMENTS IN HORSES:

A lack of equine understanding of natural needs and behaviours in equines by owners

After an accident, illness or traumatic experience such as being gelded or having teeth done

Mutilation such as tail docking

Physical abuse by owners, including hitting and corporal punishment

A lack of food and general neglect

Moving home and leaving the horse's previous family and paddock mates behind

Being separated from family, such as when being weaned

Travelling and transport worries, including being forced into floats

Drill training, which entails repeatedly performing an exercise without rest or reward

Isolation from other horses

Non-species appropriate living conditions, ie- spending too much time in a stable

Use of invasive tack, such as tie-downs, muzzles, and harsh bits

Inability to engage in natural horse behaviours like running in a herd, rolling, and being themselves

Insufficient turnout and exercise

Stressful training

Lack of groundwork preparation before ridden work

Mineral deficiencies or overdosing

Blanket trauma caused by temperature extremes from inappropriate rugging

Pull back issues from being hard-tied, causing fear and/or injury

Pain such as from a poor-fitting saddle or sore or incorrectly trimmed hooves

Digestive upsets and discomfort from an incorrect diet

Mycotoxins ingested in the grass, hay, chaffs and grain, that can cause permanent hypervigilance as these attack the horse's central nervous system and cause stress and anxiety, including making the body sore and painful, too

Consuming inappropriate foods that lead to excitability and inflammation, such as too many grains or plant sugars found in baleage, haylage, lucerne, wrapped fibre products, and lush grass, etc.

Illness or medical conditions, including metabolic issues like cushings, PSSM, EMS, laminitis, ulcers, skin issues, inflammation, etc.

Inappropriate feeding, such as not having access to forage on a 24/7 basis, which is required for health

Overconsumption of fresh green lush grass and pasture which can cause sugar highs and insulin resistance.

Being bullied and treated harshly

Negative riding experiences and associations

Being backed too early

Overly demanding training

Being micromanaged and not allowed any choices or opinions

Being forced to do things they take no pleasure in

Not having any boundaries with humans

Not understanding what is expected of them from the horse's point of view.

*Not receiving and release or reward during human interactions/training

And More.....

So, how do you help a horse overcome trauma?

The good news is yes – many traumatised horses can make remarkable recoveries.

However, recovery rarely comes from forcing a horse to "get over it." Trauma changes the way the brain interprets the world. The goal isn't to erase the past, but to help the horse learn that the danger has passed and that it is finally safe.

Just like people, every horse is different. Some recover surprisingly quickly, while others may carry emotional scars for the rest of their lives. The severity of the trauma, how long it lasted, the horse's personality and the support they receive all influence their journey.

Over the past 22 years of working with rescued and traumatised horses, one thing has become very clear to us. Recovery is rarely about one magic technique. It is about consistently helping the horse feel safe again.

1. Remove the Source of Fear

The first step is obvious, but it is also the most important.

If the horse is still experiencing the thing that caused the trauma, recovery cannot begin.

This may be:

Chronic pain.
Bullying from another horse.
Rough or inconsistent handling.
Living in constant fear.
Repeated stressful situations.
An environment where they never feel safe.

The nervous system is designed to protect the horse. If the threat continues, the brain has no reason to relax.

2. Rule Out Pain

Pain and trauma often go hand in hand.

A horse living with ulcers, laminitis, dental pain, a poorly fitting saddle or musculoskeletal discomfort may appear anxious, reactive or withdrawn simply because it is hurting.

Before assuming a behaviour is purely emotional, always consider whether pain or discomfort could also be contributing.

3. Create a Predictable Routine

Traumatised horses often find comfort in routine.

Feed at similar times each day.

Handle them consistently.

Use the same cues.

Avoid unnecessary surprises wherever possible.

Predictability helps the horse learn that life is no longer full of uncertainty and danger.

4. Give the Horse Time to Think

Traumatised horses are often pushed before they are emotionally ready.

Allow them time to stop.

To observe.

To investigate.

To process what is happening.

Learning happens far more effectively when a horse feels safe enough to think rather than simply react.

5. Build Trust, Not Fear

Trauma often develops when a horse loses all sense of control.

Recovery comes from rebuilding trust.

Be calm.

Be fair.

Be consistent.

Allow the horse to gain confidence in you through repeated positive experiences.

Over time, many traumatised horses stop looking for a way to escape and instead begin looking to the person who makes them feel safe.

6. Meet the Horse's Natural Needs

Recovery involves far more than training.

A horse's physical wellbeing has a profound effect on its emotional wellbeing.

Whenever possible, provide:

Constant access to suitable forage.
Appropriate companionship.
Freedom to move.
Opportunities for quality rest and sleep.
Good nutrition.
A calm, low-stress environment.

A healthy body provides the best foundation for a healthy mind.

7. Be Patient

Recovery is rarely a straight line.

Some days the horse will make enormous progress.

Other days it may seem as though everything has gone backwards.

This is a normal part of healing.

Progress should be measured over weeks and months, not from one day to the next.

There Is Hope

Some of the most rewarding horses we have ever worked with were once considered dangerous, hopeless or beyond help.

Many arrived terrified of people, some shook with fear, others had completely shut down emotionally.

Given enough patience, understanding and consistency, many learned to trust again.

Not because they forgot what happened to them.

But because they slowly discovered that the future no longer looked like the past.

Trauma may become part of a horse's story, but it does not have to define the rest of its life.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give a traumatised horse isn't another training technique.

It's becoming the first person who truly makes them feel safe.