Your horse is stressed. You want an adaptogen that is safe, well-tolerated, and well-studied. You want to reduce the stress response and strengthen the immune system. You just want your old horse back with minimal side effects.
Perhaps ashwagandha?
◆︎ Stresses that horses experience:
➡ Exercise induced stress: This often occurs when we go on long rides, or when trying to leg up a horse for competition. This can also occur in a debilitated horse that we are trying to rehab.
➡ Separation anxiety: Barn sour horses have extreme anxiety. Social separation is a stressor for horses. Another separation anxiety is not being part of a herd.
➡ Low social status within the herd: Horses with low social status within a herd are often bullied. They are also kept away from “prized” items, such as good hay, grain, or even visitation from a human.
➡ Hypervigilance to predators: Constant fear of predators takes its toll on horses. The presence of bears, mountain lions, and wolves increase the stress response.
➡ Novel environment stress: New environments can be stressful for horses. This can be a combination of separation anxiety, uncertainty as to herd status, and hypervigilance to predators. In a new environment, cues that signal safety may be absent.
➡ Transportation stress: It's been shown that transporting horses is very stressful. Ashwagandha may help support the horse during transport.
➡ Noise stress: Horses are highly reactive to noises. Horses adapt fairly well to road noises. However, loud, occasional noises are taxing. Examples include fireworks, gun shots, passing trains, and nearby construction.
◆︎ How do we measure the stress response in horses?
Behavioral responses: Loud vocalizations, trotting back and forth along the fence line, stall walking, spooking, bolting, or appearing as if they are ready to explode are all examples of behavioral responses.
Physical manifestations: Ulcers, disinterest in food, reluctance to lay down to sleep, suppressed immune system, weight loss, increased heart rate, or increased respirations are physical manifestations.
Bloodwork: Increased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, TBARS), increased inflammatory markers (TNF alpha, IL-6), decreased GSH levels, decreased white blood cells are examples of stress related bloodwork.
We may be able to observe the behavioral responses and physical manifestations. Specialized bloodwork is more frequently done in clinical or research settings.
◆︎ What effect does ashwagandha have on the horse?
A research publication in 2020 measured bloodwork parameters. After 21 days of ashwagandha supplementation, they found:
☛ Reduced stress hormones
☛ Reduced stress-induced damage
☛ Reduced anxiety
☛ Reduced inflammation
☛ Increased healthy immune markers
◆︎ What ashwagandha cannot do:
If the horse has anxiety because of local predators, ashwagandha will not be as effective as you hope.
If a medical condition has caused your horse to stop eating, ashwagandha is not likely to completely solve your horse’s issues. It’s important to work with your vet to rule out other medical conditions that cause stress.
◆︎ Ashwagandha preparation:
Withanolides are the bioactive ingredients in ashwagandha. In the published study discussed above, the ashwagandha supplement was standardized to 5% withanolides. This is more concentrated than many ashwagandha preparations available on the market. The ashwagandha sold by My Best Horse is standardized to 5% withanolides.
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Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
©Joan Kulifay, MSc. 2025