Do horses experience grief? In a recent study, researchers examined behavioral changes in horses following the death of an equid companion. Following are the study results.

Death of a Friend

The researchers noted that previous studies have reported a “mourning response” in animals. They said this response could be defined by comparing the surviving horse’s behavior before and after the death of its companion.

The researchers anticipated that horses, as a social species, might display altered behaviors toward dying or dead conspecifics (animals of the same species). They noted there is remarkably little literature on this subject.

“The aim of this study was to identify behavioral changes in horses who have experienced the loss of a companion equid,” noted the researchers.

They collected data using an online survey, including information on:

  • housing and management of the equids
  • information on the surviving and deceased equid (including relationship)
  • the passing of the deceased equid, and
  • the type and duration of immediate and sustained behavioral changes in the surviving horse.

Survey Results

The survey was completed by owners of 325 horses that survived the death of a companion. Horse owners reported multiple changes in behavior in the surviving horse within 24 hours of the companion’s death.

Most horses showed a change in behavior following the deaths of their companions. The most common behavior changes were an increase in arousal (58.53 %) and alertness to stimuli (45.83 %), a change in vocalization (68.63 %), and an increase in movement (67.68 %).

Also reported was a decrease in time spent feeding compared to normal (58.56 %) and seeking contact with people (45.03 %).

Many of these changes appeared to fade slightly in the following 6 months, but persisted in some individuals.

Horses that had shared an affectionate relationship (rather than simply tolerated each other) were more likely to increase their interest in interacting with horses and humans, the researchers noted.

“This study not only provides extensive documentation of mourning/grief-like distress responses in horses, but highlights the impact of the relationship between the two equids and experience around the time of death as predictors of behavioral change in the surviving horse,” noted the researchers. “Equids sharing an affectionate relationship (friendly or parental-dependant) were reported to be more likely to change their behavior following the death of their companion.”

Did They Spend Time With the Body?

Whether the surviving horse had spent time with the dead body did not affect its behavior in the first 24 hours of loss. However, within 6 months after the death of the companion, horses who did not spend time with the body were more likely to show an increase in arousal and vigilance.

“These findings indicate that horses may express grief-related behaviors, but further independent empirical evidence is required,” the researchers wrote. The death of a companion can have negative consequences for the survivor’s welfare. This study can help owners manage their horses’ emotional welfare better during this difficult time.

Study Highlights

  • Horses may express grief-related behaviors.
  • The relationship between two equids predicted behavioral change in the survivor.
  • Responses were affected by witnessing the death of a companion.
  • Being able to spend time with the body helps horses in the long term.
  • The death of an animal likely impacts the emotional welfare of the survivor to differing degrees.

Access the Research

The research was titled “Grief-like distress responses in horses after the death of a conspecific.” It was authored by Claire Ricci-Bonot, Emily Wilson, and Daniel Simon Mills, University of Lincoln, U.K.; Stefania Uccheddu, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Italy. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. August 2025.

Further Content

Sign up for My Senior Horse’s FREE newsletter to get the latest information about equids 15 years and older delivered straight to your inbox!

  • Kimberly S. Brown and Jewell

    Kimberly S. Brown is an award-winning writer and publisher. She is the Editorial Director for My Senior Horse. Brown spent 10 years at Equine Network, parent company of My Senior Horse. Prior to that she worked for three years in equine nutrition after she retired from nearly 30 years working at The Blood-Horse. Brown spent the last 15 years of her time at that organization creating and developing The Horse and TheHorse.com.

    View all posts