You know your horse better than anyone. When she begins to act differently, you know something is up. Sometimes these behavioral changes come on slowly, and other times they appear almost overnight. Some behavioral quirks come and go in a day, while others linger. Whatever the case, your concerns for your horse are legitimate and should be explored.

The following environmental conditions can cause any horse to become upset:

• A move to a different stable or change of ownership
• A new stable arrangement
• A new herd mate he doesn’t like
• A change in the weather

Behavioral changes can appear in several different forms. Here are a few of the major and most common ones and how to approach them:

Lethargy
 

• Your horse could be in pain. Watch for signs of injury, such as lameness, and have any suspicions checked by your veterinarian. Aside from an injury, a lame horse could have arthritis, a hoof abscess or other issues requiring treatment.
• If you just moved to a new place, your horse may be depressed. Help him adapt by keeping his schedule the same after the move. Spend time with him every day; he may be feeling lonely in his new space.

Change in eating habits

• If your horse abruptly refuses to eat or drink, contact your veterinarian. A sudden lack of interest could indicate a serious problem, such as an intestinal impaction.
• Check your horse’s temperature, which should be between 99 and 101 degrees. A higher temperature could indicate an infection or other problem, for which you’ll want to call your doctor.
• If her interest in eating decreases gradually, first check her mouth for any sores, bleeding or inflammation.
• Consider tweaking the horse’s diet, for example, to a more palatable hay. Some horses simply get bored with eating the same thing day in and day out.

Restlessness

A horse who begins pacing back and forth or rearing for no reason could be trying to tell you something. Perhaps he’s experiencing pain or discomfort. Sometimes a new sound or animal in the stable can cause a horse to become upset. Weather changes affect horses more than most people realize and can cause them to feel uneasy. If you’re stumped, ask your vet to recommend a behavioral psychologist who can work with you and your horse.

In all cases, a blood test will rule out certain health problems and help you hone in on the problem. As long as you’re in tune with your horse, you’ll be able to get to the bottom of these changes, and your horse will be healthy again in no time.