Can Horses Have ADD / ADHD?

Brandy shows no signs of ADHD now that she feels safe with me

Defined as a psychiatric disorder, I don’t think so. However, problems that people commonly report in horses are remarkably similar to the 3 primary characteristics the National Institute of Mental Health uses to define ADHD: • Inattention – difficulty staying focused • Hyperactivity – excessive movement or fidgeting • Impulsivity - acting without thinking, lacking self-control
Let’s compare these to normal horse behavior, keeping in mind that there are great variations among horses.

Inattention: In people this is described as constantly monitoring the environment or difficulty maintaining focus. Well, horses are supposed to monitor their environment; it’s how their ancestors survived! They are also capable of paying attention to their jobs at the same time unless there is a special source of interest or concern. Maintaining focus doesn’t seem to be a problem for horses who are confident and happy in their jobs. Picture a cross-country horse heading for a jump, a cutting horse intent on a cow, or a trail horse negotiating tricky footing. Less obvious are the quietly focused horses like those who watch out for children, novices, or disabled riders. What stops horses from focusing well? Take your pick: anxiety, boredom, confusion, fatigue, physical discomfort, or being expected to do jobs for which they are not physically or emotionally suited.

Hyperactivity: Nature programmed horses to move when they are anxious. They may also have excess energy from too little turnout or exercise, or too much rich grass or feed. Sometimes, due to poor training or confusing cues, they don’t even know that anyone expects them to stand still.

Impulsivity: When people say a horse lacks self-control, they usually mean he doesn’t override his own instincts and listen to a human instead. Most training programs rely on repetition and conditioned response to control horses’ reactions. This fails when fear and survival instincts override training, and the horse does not trust that the human will keep him safe. However, horses can show remarkable self-control when following the directions of someone they trust as a Protector, or protecting those they trust. This reflects the fact that a wild horse band is a cooperative unit where members look out for each other.

Conclusion: Behaviors that might look like ADD or ADHD in horses are more likely normal equine reactions to negative situations. The “deficits” or “disorders” are not inherent in the horses; they are inherent in our management of them. The most pervasive issue is anxiety, and root causes of anxiety are rampant in the horse world: early weaning, poor socialization, high pressure training, inconsistent expectations, multiple moves, rich feed, too little turnout, incompatible turnout companions, and the list could go on. When horses show unwanted behavior, it is much more successful to address causes than the behavioral symptoms. The fastest way to reduce horses’ anxiety is to show them they can trust you as a Protector Leader. How and why this works is documented in What Horses Really Want , along with detailed instructions.

Personal Note: (References follow) This topic intrigued me because there are multiple “ADD” people in my family. I do not see any of them as having a “disorder”. They learn better by watching and doing than by sitting and listening. They have a low tolerance for repetition and boredom, but are capable of sustained focus when their interest is captured. They excel at problem-solving, thinking outside the box, and seeing the big picture. They are more willing to take risks, for better and for worse. The same traits that got them in trouble as students have contributed to their success as adults. This perspective on ADD is described by Thom Hartmann in his book “ADD: A Different Perception” and in the article “Thom Hartmann's Hunter and Farmer Approach to ADD/ADHD”. https://www.thomhartmann.com/articles/2007/11/thom-hartmanns-hunter-and-farmer-approach-addadhd

References:
“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Overview:” National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
Elke Hartmann, Janne W. Christensen, Paul D. McGreevy, “Dominance and Leadership: Useful Concepts in Human–Horse Interactions?”, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 52, May 2017, pages 1-9 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080617300059
Christa Leste-Lasserre, “Excitement, Feeling, and Attachment’s Impact on Training,” The Horse, 2 Aug 2013 http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32311/excitement-feeling-and-attachments-impact-on-training
Horses in Company by Lucy Rees
A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior by Sue McDonnell, PhD
“The role of ethology in round pen horse training—A review” by Cathrynne Henshall and Paul D.McGreevy https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159114000811
What Horses Really Want: Unlocking the Secrets to Trust, Confidence, and Reliability by Lynn Acton