Horse Depression?

Question

About a month ago, my friend died and her horse just hasn't been the same. Ontop of that, she hurt herself which resulted in the mare having 3 hard casts put on her legs. So, she's just been a sad mare.. my question is if it's normal for horses to go through a depression like state after losing someone who was close to them.. like humans?

Also, she can't be put in a pasture because of the casts - stall rest for 6 months.

Answer 1

Just like humans, horses have emotions of fear, anger, sadness, happiness and depression.

My mare was depressed when she put me in the hospital 4 days after Christmas of 1996. I just got her a few months back. It was raining, she reared up, I pulled too hard back on the reins and she feel on top of me. All 1,200 pounds of her... knocked me uncongious. Woke up as they were loading me in the ambulance as I see my mare being ponied by a friend of mine taken her back to the stables.

For the week I was there, my mare barley:

Ate, slept, drank and she didn't even touch her treats that I normally gave her by myself. She would be quiet and stand in the corner of her stall. Abnormal for her.

As I went out there from hospital (didn't even go home first!) she literly purked up. I brushed her. Loved on her and she went back to normal.

Horses get depressed when they loose a love one, animal or human.

Goats are known to be great companions to horses as well. My friend's goat passed away and the Mare would not even allow anyone near that goat to be picked up to be barried. When they finally were able to, she had the habit of leaving hay in the same spot the goat always ate with her. She would never touch it.

Some signs of horses being depressed is:

1) Loss of appetite
2) Lack of thrive/motivation
3) abnormal sleeping
4) "drooping" head lower than it's withers.
5) Refusal to be with other horses or other humans
6) Not eager to see others of human or animal like when normally they are alert to.
7) Personality seems "off". If normally "ready to go" and excited, yet now acting calm, quiet and "not interested", then that is a sign of something doesn't seem right.

For this Mare to also have injuries, that doesn’t help the state of her emotional and mental condition. She just needs the loving care and attention. With in time, she will accept and move on as they do when they are sold etc.

Answer 2

I think the leg casts are the more likely reason for the horse's behavior; in general, horses do not seem to mind changes in ownership. However, if the loss of her owner also meant a loss of regular attention, grooming, and exercise, then yes, that is contributing to the problem.

Answer 3

my horse was very deressed when we moved her to our farm with no other horses. after a few day we finally found a pasture mate for her. she perked up right away. i kno this isnt rele the same thing but maybe if u found someone that would come out and spend time with the mare everyday then she would move on faster from her loss. sometimes horses bond better with kids then adults after something like that. and yes its normal to be depressed after they have lost something they loved.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Its a safe bet that a horse that has three casts on its legs is on stall rest, can't move around, etc. it is not surprising that the horse is depressed just cause of the injuries.

But it is possible that the horse misses her human, i guess

Answer 6

Yes the horse sounds very depressed. Does he have a pasture buddy ( another horse, or animal in the pen with him) If not you prolly need to get him a buddy (goat, lamb other horse) horses are "herd " animals.

Hope this helps

Answer 7

yes, horses do get depressed. The mare was probably VERY close to her owner. I would suggest you take her on a LONG trail ride to make her feel loved( if she is ridible). i am very sorry about your friend

Answer 8

Horses can get depressed and lonely.
Does she have a pasturemate? If not, getting her one may cheer her up. Even if it's not a horse. Goats can make great buddies for horses

Depression in horses can also be a sign of illness, especially colic.

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. : \

Answer 9

I had a mare that lost her foal and she wasn't the same for about a year. They really do bond with people. Why not?

Answer 10

thats kinda like my guinea pigs, but no one died...they were dying bcuz of heatstroke...the first one died..andthe other one was doing very well before that..and it started worsoning a while later...I believe animals can be depressesd when they lose a close one.