This chapter bridges the gap between microbiome imbalance and full-body chaos – and shows the way back to balance through the C.A.R.E. approach.

Welcome to Part 5 of our Thrive & Shine July Blog Series, where we explore one of the most underestimated enemies of equine gut health: stress.

What if your horse’s health challenge isn’t what it seems?

We all recognise stress on the outside – but inside the body, it’s a very different story. Especially in horses.

The moment a horse perceives a threat – real or imagined – the fight/flight mechanism kicks in. The sympathetic nervous system floods the body with adrenaline and cortisol, redirecting blood flow to the muscles, heart and brain for survival.

In the short term, this system is miraculous. In the long term, it can wreak absolute havoc.

Stress is more than nerves. It’s biochemical.

When we talk about stress, we’re not just talking about a spooky moment or a bad loading day.

We’re talking about a biological cascade – a chain reaction that affects the brain, hormones, gut, immune system, and energy production. And here’s the kicker: Your horse doesn’t need to look stressed to be stressed.

Cortisol: friend and foe - how stress hijacks gut health

Stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, which releases the stress hormones – adrenaline (the survival hormone) and cortisol – the stress hormone.

Cortisol may be useful to help the body escape danger, but it’s catastrophic when it’s constantly elevated – because the body never gets to reset.

What happens in the body:

• Digestion shuts down
• Blood flow is redirected away from digestion
• Gut motility slows or becomes erratic (leading to gas, bloating, or impaction)
• Gut wall integrity weakens (hello leaky gut)
• Microbial balance shifts (bad bugs love cortisol)
• Immune signals become scrambled – triggering inflammation

The result? A horse that’s reactive on the outside, and inflamed on the inside.

Sound familiar? Chronic stress literally starves the gut of function, increasing the risk of:

• Glandular and pyloric ulcers
• Colic
• Laminitis
• Immune collapse

Chronic stress = chronic inflammation

Long-term stress keeps the body in a catabolic state – breaking down tissue rather than building it.

This means:

• Poor muscle development and topline
• Poor hoof growth
• Low resilience to viruses or allergens
• Exaggerated reactions to triggers (e.g. pollen, contact, food)
• Behavioural symptoms – from tension to shutdown

Sound familiar?

Stress also rewires the immune system

Research shows chronic emotional or physical stress does more than just bother the body -  it changes it.

Stress:

• Triggers systemic inflammation
• Alters gene expression
• Suppresses immune response
• Lowers the function of natural killer cells
• Blocks DNA repair
• Encourages rogue cell growth

The longer stress continues, the more exhausted the immune system becomes –  leading to immunodeficiency, burnout, and vulnerability to illness.

This isn’t about ramping up killer T-cells. Immunity is a finely tuned orchestra, not a solo act. It needs:

• Hormonal balance
• Liver and kidney drainage
• Healthy lymphatic flow
• Restorative sleep
• Cellular fuel (mitochondrial energy!)
• And emotional safety

Your horse doesn’t just need to be “not stressed.” They need to feel safe, nourished, and in balance.

What counts as stress?

Here’s the thing – your horse doesn’t have to look worried to be under pressure.

Common equine stressors include:

• Social isolation or herd anxiety
• Ulcer history or gut discomfort
• Travel, yard changes, competing
• Overtraining or inconsistent routines
• Poor sleep (yes, horses need REM rest)
• Sensory stress (e.g. noise, weather, flies, poor lighting)
• Emotional trauma or past abuse
• Chronic pain or discomfort

Even being the herd leader can wear a horse down over time.

Stress and the gut – a two-way street

Stress weakens the gut. But a struggling gut also creates more stress.

Why?

• Bad gut bacteria help disrupt mood via the gut-brain axis
• Inflammation irritates the nervous system
• Nutrient deficiencies negatively affect calm neurotransmitters
• Gut pain = bracing + tension = more stress

It’s a vicious cycle, but we can break it.

How to support a stressed gut

Stress may be invisible - but the effects aren’t. Neither is the power to change it.

That means:

• Supporting the nervous system with calming herbs
• Feeding the gut-brain axis with magnesium
• Soothing the gut lining with marshmallow
• Rebalancing microbes with diverse forage and targeted prebiotics
• Reducing systemic inflammation with omega-3s and antioxidants

And equally as important: create calm routines and emotional safety. We come back to our trusty triad:

• Alleviate: ease stress and tension with adaptogenic and nervine herbs
• Detox: clear stagnation and toxin overload
• Fortify: bolster the system with functional foods, antioxidants, and phytonutrients

Micronutrients rebuild the cells. Herbs soothe the system. And suddenly, the immune orchestra can play its music again.

EquiNatural’s Approach – Calm is a Nutrient

Our C.A.R.E. Protocol includes tools for emotional and physiological resilience:

🌿 Calming adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Schisandra, and Rhodiola
🌿 Nervine herbs like Valerian and Chamomile
🌿 Gut soothers like Linseed and Marshmallow
🌿 Mineral balancing with bioavailable Magnesium
🌿 Tonic support for adrenal and nervous system recovery

Whether your horse is fizzy or frozen, they may be stuck in survival mode. Let’s help them come home to calm.

Coming Next: Part 6 – Nature’s Farmacy

In our final instalment, we’ll explore the powerful role of antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols – nature’s own medicine cabinet. Discover how herbs, roots, and forage diversity help buffer stress, balance the immune system, and create long-term resilience.

See you there 🌿