26/02/2025
Great advice on reducing stress when relocating horses.
Understanding Horse Relocation Stress When Buying or Leasing a Horse
Horses thrive on routine and familiarity, so moving to a new homeāwhether bought or leasedācan be a significant adjustment for them. Everything they know changes overnight: new surroundings, new people, and new routines. This can leave them feeling unsettled, which often manifests in their behaviour. Understanding whatās happening during this transition helps to put their reactions into perspective and supports better management of their welfare.
Why Do Horses Struggle with Moving?
Equitation science provides insight into why relocation can be challenging for horses. Several key factors influence their response to a new home.
1. A Completely New Environment
Horses form strong associations with their surroundings and daily routines. When they move, everything familiar disappears, and they must adapt to an entirely different setting. A horse that was calm and responsive in its old home may seem anxious or reactive in a new oneānot because they have changed, but because they are processing a world that suddenly feels unfamiliar (Appleton, 2023).
2. Heightened Alertness and Stress
Relocation can activate a horseās natural survival instincts. Their fight-or-flight response is heightened as they assess their safety in an unknown environment. Research by Janczarek et al. (2013) indicates that changes in surroundings can significantly impact stress markers in horses, leading to increased sensitivity and anxious behaviours. Appleton (2023) also describes this as "New Home Syndrome," where heightened alertness is a natural reaction to unfamiliar settings. If your new horse seems different from when you first tried them, this heightened state of alertness is likely the cause.
3. A Different Sensory Experience
Horses perceive their surroundings in a highly detailed way. What might seem like a similar stable to us is an entirely different world to themānew smells, sounds, sights, and even the feel of the footing underfoot. According to the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), environmental changes can affect a horseās welfare, particularly in relation to sensory processing and their ability to feel safe in a new setting (ISES, n.d.). Appleton (2023) highlights that even subtle changes in sensory input can contribute to stress and anxiety in newly relocated horses.
4. Disrupted Routine and Learning Process
Horses rely on routine for a sense of security. When they are relocated, everything from feeding times to handling and riding changes. This disruption can make them seem uncooperative or confused when, in reality, they are just adjusting. Hall et al. (2016) examined how environmental changes impact stress responses in horses, emphasizing the importance of gradual acclimation to new routines and handlers. Appleton (2023) further explains that horses need time to form new associations with their environment and handlers, which is why patience and consistency are key during the transition period. If a horse also has a new rider, it needs time to adapt to different aids, rein contact, and handling cues, which can add to its stress.
The Takeaway
If your new or leased horse is behaving differently after a move, itās not necessarily a sign of poor training or a problem with the horseāitās a natural response to change. Recognising this can help foster patience and understanding, making it easier to support them as they settle into their new home and routine. Following evidence-based equitation science principles, including those outlined by Appleton (2023), can ensure a smoother transition, reducing stress for both the horse and its handler.
References:
Appleton, S. (2023). New Home Syndrome. Calm Willing Confident Horses.
Janczarek, I., Wilk, I., & KÄdzierski, W. (2013). Stress Response of Three-year-old Horse Mares to Changes in Husbandry System During Initial Equestrian Training. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Hall, C., Kay, R., & Yarnell, K. (2016). Assessing ridden horse behaviour: The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
International Society for Equitation Science (ISES). (n.d.). Equine learning and training principles. www.equitationscience.com.
