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6 "Normal" Things That Actually Stress Your Horse Out

The Horse’s Language with James

134,268 views

#equinepsychology #horses #horseriding

There are things you do to your horse every single day that feel completely normal to you. You do not even think about them. But your horse experiences them very differently. And the problem is that your horse cannot tell you, “this is stressing me out.” The only thing it has are signals that most owners are not picking up on.

In this video: six everyday things that stress your horse more than you think. Going straight to touch its face and blind spots, getting it ready in a rush and what that does to its nervous system, changes in routine and how they spike cortisol for hours, forcing it to walk past what scares it (and why that solves nothing), abruptly separating bonded pairs, and the most normalized of all: trailer transport.

If this changed how you see everyday life with your horse, like and subscribe.

📚 Studies and topics mentioned in this video:
Equine visual field of about 350° and blind spots — UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Vision and Performance
Horses’ sensory abilities and their importance for riding — Rørvang, Christensen & Rundgren, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020
Touch preferences: forced touch vs. free-choice touch in therapy horses — Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2025
Stress from management changes and fecal cortisol levels over time — Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025
Habituation to novel objects: voluntary approach vs. negative reinforcement — Christensen et al., Equine Veterinary Journal, 2013
Exploratory behavior and learning in young horses — Christensen et al., Scientific Reports, 2021
Physiological and behavioral responses of foals to separation — Erber et al., Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2012; Heleski et al., Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Cortisol, heart rate, and autonomic responses during road transport — PLOS ONE, 2024
Effects of 24-hour transport on the equine stress response — Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2009
Elevated cortisol up to 24 hours post-transport (fecal metabolites) — Cortisol release, heart rate and HRV in transport-naive horses — Schmidt et al., Hormones and Behavior, 2010
Horses transported facing backward show lower heart rates and greater stability — Waran et al., Veterinary Record, 1996; Clark et al., Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 1993
Review: equine sleep, welfare, and rest deprivation — Greening & McBride, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022

#equinebehavior #animalscience #animalwelfare #equestrianlife #horselovers
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not replace an evaluation by a veterinarian, equine physiotherapist, or qualified equine behavior professional. If your horse shows signs of pain, stress, or behavioral changes, consult a specialist.

20 Comments

@rischakmeador186 3 months ago

Every horse is different, I've got a colt that prefers I touch his face and approach from the front. He wants to smell me before allowing me beside him. Then I've got another colt that prefers approach from his side. The key is learning each one's personality and working with them instead of against them or forcing them.

@Salmonella12 3 months ago

My horse comes up to my hand and loves pats, so it honestly depends on the horse and the trust you have with it.

@NancyJeffery-i7q 2 months ago

I was not aware of last one, horse turning away, showing their rump, thought my mare was mad at me

@chrisknight3071 3 months ago

Extremely extremely well done video, well narrated and the pictures are so well expressing what he said.... so, a big thank you from a horseman from British Columbia Columbia Canada.

@TheEmeraldPony 1 month ago

Beautiful presentation. The illustrations are so appealing. The actor's voice is delightful. The information is on point. The only thing I would suggest is to give examples of what transition looks like.

@Nagichan 3 months ago

I never considered the positive impact my slow routine has on the horses I'm riding, but thinking about it now, they're always calm and relaxed when we enter the arena.

@corinneyoung8166 1 month ago

Thank you, love this and love your chanel ,keep keeping it real for horses and humans :)

@Desimoran 2 months ago

This is a superb video. It's important to be sensitive to horses' needs.

@Dixie-y1d 3 months ago

I admit that im now realizing that i do some of these things and i understand that all horses are differant but the one i ride expresses some of these things to me and i dont even notice, though this might not be helpful to some it was extremely helpful to me so thank you for making this video because now i know that i have to change to make her feel safe around me and i will definitely be working on staying calm while tacking up even if im late because that is the worst thing i struggle with right now.

@julieneild4505 3 months ago

I understand the quick tack-up. I have anxiety about going shopping. I can't just go out on a moment's notice!

@daniellawets5928 3 months ago

It all makes so much sense! Thank you so much! Work with them, let them adjust to a new situation. Thank you so much for understanding these amazing animals. We can learn so much from them.

@Tenju96 2 months ago (edited)

Our coach doesn't want us to show our hands for the horse to smell, she says it's tricking the horse into thinking we'll give a treat and she says it's mean. But.. i still do it cause the horse often tries to smell my hands. 😅 I also pay attention when the horse takes a step back.

I often spend more time getting my horse ready than riding. 😆 Especially in winter.

@Legendsingray 3 months ago

My five-year-old Friesian sporthorse loves almost all points of touch and affection, pats on the head, rubs, scratches, and hugs. The only thing he doesn't like is messing with his ears. But my guy came from the Amish, and they treat them as tools with no affection. In fact, they often ear-twitch them. So now that I have him, he finds all points of affection as wonderful things. On our non-riding days, I will spend over an hour just scratching and massaging his favorite places, and he just stands there and falls asleep or nuzzles me back.

@marieramos7768 3 months ago

I agree that those horses that are well adjusted to it's owner probably accept so much more from you. However, in a general since, this is good advice for that newish relationship being developed, goid practices until time spent creates a well balanced relationship

@lemmebeawinnerequestrian7555 3 months ago (edited)

Yep, and one day my boys will tolerate and others they don't. I let them decide. But I can 100% say that the will always check my hands for treats. ❤ I also don't like to rush tackling up. I lobe to take my time. It's a great bonding time. Im not sure i agree with always riding in the same place. Mine get bored, they always enjoy a hack. Horses are not JUST fight or flight creatures. They also, think, learn, investigate, play, have friends, and enjoy. When my horses are scared, I will get off and show them its safe if they are really reactivate. I so agree, they do develop deap bonds. It took me sometime to understand that. I love learning everyday about horses.

@Mo2026-t6w 3 months ago

This podcast can be used as a “ rule of thumb”, but getting to know is the key

@NotDenisey 2 months ago

They're all different. My mini loves hugs. So did a retired hunting and ranching helding. He would shut his eyes and just melt with relaxation. Another very abused ranch horse started liking it when he saw his pals enjoying it. He would even hug back. My harness racing mare likes it, but only when she's calm. It's a trust thing that they had to like us first.

@TiffanyStogner 3 months ago

As soon as my horse sees me he runs to greet me neighing. My horse also loves to give hugs. That’s one of the first things he did right after I got him.
Wouldn’t trade it for anything!

@leo.ist.klasse 3 months ago (edited)

watching this so i don't stress my instructors horse out🔥🔥🔥🔥 (the horse does kinda like pats on the face, but it seems like not too much on her nose, she seems to put her head up or to the side whenever i do try. but other than that she puts her head down so i can pet her)

@Estella472 3 months ago

My horse best friend (his field mate) got sold last fall I could tell that he was upset and he has had his field moved since than back to his normal one never really bonding with another horse like he did with Leo (his old field mate) but he is now back at his old field for a couple months now and my friend just got a new horse and he is in my horses field and my horse did not like at first but now they are becoming best friends and they are always together ❤