Horses can produce ’emotional sweat’

Sweating in horses isn’t just about regulating body temperature during exercise or hot weather. Horses also have apocrine sweat glands distributed across most of their skin.

These glands are highly responsive to the horse’s nervous system, especially the sympathetic branch (the “fight, flight, or freeze” system).

When a horse experiences stress, fear, or anxiety, the release of stress hormones (like adrenaline) can activate these sweat glands – even if the horse hasn’t moved a muscle. This is sometimes called ’emotional sweating.’

Unlike the broad, even sweating seen after exertion, emotional sweat often appears as localised patches, especially along the flanks, neck, and chest. Handlers may notice small, unexpected damp areas that signal the horse is experiencing inner tension, even if it looks calm outwardly.

Recognising emotional sweat is valuable because it can:

Reveal hidden stress before it escalates to more obvious behaviours (spooking, bolting, or resistance).
Help trainers adjust their approach, offering reassurance or breaking tasks into smaller steps.
Build awareness that sweat can be an emotional barometer, not just a physical one.

By paying attention to these subtle signals, handlers can better support their horse’s welfare and prevent stress from compounding into fear-based reactions.

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