As the colder months roll around, so does firework season, and whilst these occasions are viewed as a time of relax and recreation, horses might have a different perception. The effect of fireworks in horses has been documented (4): a large study in New Zealand found that the majority of horses (79%) manifested a degree of anxiety around fireworks. The most frequent reaction (35%) amongst the nearly 5000 surveyed horses was running, with the risk of potentially fatal injuries. Fortunately, a number of measures can help reduce your horse’s level of anxiety, according to their individual temperament and fear threshold.
Several key elements can be added to the horse’s diet with an effect on their neurological and cognitive functions. Group B vitamins are required for neurological function and modulation of nervous responses; some B vitamins are produced by the horse whilst others must be obtained through the diet. This means that horses with reduced appetite (due to stress, new environment and feed, or a combination), in high-stress situations (heavy training, competition), amongst other instances, can have their B vitamin needs unmet. Another crucial element is magnesium, required for a correct energy metabolism at a cellular level, including nerve cells; horses with magnesium deficiency show signs of inadequate nerve function such as muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias and dullness or depression (5). Finally, the amino acid tryptophan is necessary in horses’ diet as the precursor to serotonin (the ‘happiness’ hormone), which modulates processes such as rest and digestion and stress response, acting as a mood stabiliser by reducing cortisol (the ‘fear’ hormone) in stressful situations (2).
Complementary feeds with a combination of the above ingredient are specifically designed to attenuate the horse’s stress response without containing any pharmaceutical component. Audevard Zzen® contains this triple combination (including critical vitamin B12) plus Ashwagandha tincture, which work synergistically to reduce anxiety without impacting performance. It can be fed daily for as long as required to help the horse’s focus and wellbeing, contributing to a balanced diet. For punctual use, Zzen® Flash is concentrated in tryptophan and magnesium, perfect for on-the-go relief and to boost the effects of Zzen® when combined.
The horse’s instinct is to flee when confronted with threat to their safety, and this natural response is magnified when the horse is stressed. This feeds into a heightened state of anxiety and related behavioural issues that can hinder not only the horse’s wellbeing but also their relationship with humans and their athletic performance. This cycle relies upon production and circulation of different chemicals in the equine nervous system, such as pheromones: these are chemicals naturally produced by the body that induce changes in behavioural and social responses. They are highly volatile and can disperse in the air, affecting other animals from the same species through their sense of smell: for example, nursing mares release pheromones through their milk which have a soothing effect on their foal. A synthetic version of equine appeasing pheromone (EAP) has been investigated in robust studies to define their effects. A randomised clinical trial on 40 horses showed that those treated with EAP had significantly less fear-related behaviours and sustained a calmer status throughout a standardised stress test, compared to horses receiving placebo (3). Audevard ConfidenceEQ® is an EAP gel designed to be applied to the horse’s nostril 30 minutes before the stressful event is due to start (veterinary, dentist or farrier visit, clipping, transport, arrival to a new place). It is a proven asset to consistently reassure the horse and help their performance in potentially stressful contexts, with no doping limitations at all.
Whilst a degree of stress can be positive and help the horse adapt to the environment, at certain levels and over time it can hinder the horse’s wellbeing, health and athletic performance. Numerous studies have described the effects of stress on horses in different disciplines (1), and why helping them remain calm has so many benefits. Gastrointestinal conditions are one of the main negative health outcomes from chronic stress in horses, with substantial evidence for the association between stress and glandular gastric ulceration (7). These ulcers affect the bottom part of the horse’s stomach, which is normally lined with gastric mucus protecting it against acid; multiple factors can break down this mucus lining and expose the glandular mucosa to harmful acid contents. Squamous ulceration affects the top part of the stomach, which lacks this protective layer, and it is therefore a primary acid injury from the ‘splash’ of the gastric content against its walls. So many aspects of the ‘modern life’ of a sport horse that increase the risk for gastric ulceration (7): high number of training days per week (>5), and long periods of training (>6 consecutive weeks), fasted exercise, stress from changing routines and grooms. Both types of gastric ulceration are known to have a detrimental impact on performance (7). Whilst management strategies can be implemented to reduce the risk factors for gastrointestinal conditions, nutritional support can be crucial to improve the horse’s comfort. The combination of pectin, lecithin and active S. cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast) present in Audevard Ekygard+® may be beneficial (6), along with two plant components with buffering and binding properties (the red algae Lithothamnion and bentonite clay). The addition of fenugreek optimises feed intake in horses, which can be impaired by stress, whilst the probiotic yeast boosts the production of B-vitamins by the horse’s gut microbes: as we know, these vitamins and particularly B12 must be obtained through the diet or produced by gut bacteria, both of which can be diminished in horses under stress and/ or intensive training, and those recovering from illness.
All of the above are useful tools to both help your horse cope with stressors and prevent the potentially harmful consequences. Your veterinarian is a first point of call for advice on your horse’s health and behaviour, as there are multiple options to suit each horse’s temperament and each owner’s needs, to ensure that everyone can make the most of the festive season.
1. Bartolomé E. and Cockram M.S. (2016) ‘Potential effects of stress on the performance of sport horses’. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 40, pp. 84-93.
2. Davis B.P. et al. (2017) ‘Preliminary evaluation on the effectiveness of varying doses of supplemental tryptophan as a calmative in horses’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 188, pp. 34-41.
3. Falewee C. et al. (2006) ‘Effect of a synthetic equine maternal pheromone during a controlled fear-eliciting situation’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 101, pp. 144-153.
4. Gronqvist G. et al. (2016) ‘The management of horses during fireworks in New Zealand’. Animals 6 (3), doi: 10.3390/ani6030020.
5. Stewart A.J. (2011) ‘Magnesium disorders in horses’. Veterinary Clinics of North America – Equine Practice 27 (1), pp. 149-163.
6. Sykes B.W. et al. (2015) ‘ECEIM Consensus Statement – Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in adult horses’. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 29, pp. 1288-1299.
7. Sykes B.W. et al. (2018) ‘Management factors and clinical implications of glandular and squamous gastric disease in horses’. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15350.
Written by: Dr Marga Mas DVM PGDip MRCVS (Guest Author)
