Why Do Some Horses Suffer Separation Anxiety?

Why Do Some Horses Suffer Separation Anxiety? 

Some horses can be left alone without a second thought, while others become highly stressed the moment their paddock mate disappears from sight. Separation anxiety is a common behavioural issue in horses and can range from mild calling and pacing through to dangerous behaviours such as fence walking, sweating, pawing, box walking, or attempting to escape. 

Because horses are naturally herd animals, some level of attachment to companions is completely normal. In the wild, isolation can leave a horse vulnerable to predators, so horses are instinctively programmed to seek safety within a group. However, just like people, some horses cope with separation far better than others. 

There is rarely one single cause of separation anxiety. Instead, it is usually influenced by a combination of temperament, management, previous experiences, and environment. 

Some common causes include: 

• Horses becoming overly bonded to one companion  

• Sudden changes in routine or environment  

• Long periods of stabling or isolation  

• Lack of socialisation with other horses  

• Previous stressful experiences  

• Inconsistent handling or training  

• Limited turnout or exercise  

Horses that rely heavily on another horse for confidence may struggle when separated, particularly if they have not learned to be independent from a young age. 

Does breed and age play a role? 

Breed and temperament can also influence how prone a horse may be to separation anxiety. Highly sensitive or reactive breeds are often more likely to display anxious behaviours. Performance-bred horses such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians are commonly very intelligent, alert, and responsive, which can sometimes make them more susceptible to stress and overattachment. On the other hand, some quieter breeds, typically pony breeds, may naturally cope better with changes and isolation. That said, temperament is highly individual. Two horses of the same breed raised in similar environments may still respond very differently when separated from companions. 

As for the age of horses, foals and young horses are naturally more dependent on companionship and routine. Weaning is often the first major separation event a horse experiences, and poorly managed weaning can contribute to anxiety later in life. Young horses that are gradually exposed to short periods alone often learn confidence and independence more successfully. 

Older horses, whilst more versed in the world and experiences, can also develop separation anxiety, particularly if: 

• They lose a long-term paddock companion  

• Their routine suddenly changes  

• Vision or hearing declines make them feel less secure  

• They become more dependent on familiar horses for confidence  

Recognising and managing Separation Anxiety  

Common signs of separation anxiety can include: 

• Calling or screaming excessively  

• Fence walking or pacing  

• Sweating or trembling  

• Pawing or box walking  

• Refusing to eat  

• Becoming difficult to handle  

• Pulling back when tied  

• Attempting to jump fences or escape  

In severe cases, separation anxiety can become both a welfare and safety issue for the horse and handler. 

Improving separation anxiety often takes time, consistency, and patience. 

• Gradual Separation Training: Slowly increasing periods apart from companions can help build confidence over time. 

• Maintain Routine: Horses thrive on consistency. Keeping feeding, turnout, and work schedules predictable can help reduce stress. 

• Encourage Independence: Avoid allowing horses to become completely reliant on one companion. 

• Increase Mental Stimulation: Regular exercise, turnout, enrichment, and varied work can help reduce nervous energy and boredom. 

• Avoid Punishment: Punishing anxious behaviour can often worsen stress levels and make the issue more difficult to manage. 

 

For horses that become anxious during travel, competitions, stabling, or separation from companions, nutritional support may also help encourage relaxation. Ranvet Calm Paste and Ranvet Settle’em Plus are formulated to support horses during stressful situations and can be particularly useful when you know separation anxiety may occur. Both products are designed to correct common nutrient deficiencies that have been shown to correlate with increased anxious behaviours, including B-Group Vitamins, Magnesium and Vitamin E.  

Calm Paste is best for targeted event support, providing the morning of the event, or prior to travel, before the stressful event occurs. Settle’em Plus on the other hand is an in-feed powder, that can be used daily either long term, or over targeted periods, such as the week leading up to and including an event. For particularly anxious horses, they can be used together. 

 

When combined with consistent management and training practices, calming nutritional support can help horses cope more comfortably with stressful situations while promoting a calmer, more settled attitude.