Horses have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, which they use to navigate the world around them. Just like humans, they have preferences when it comes to the scents they enjoy, and there are certain smells they strongly dislike.
This is why understanding which smells horses find unpleasant can help you create a more comfortable environment for your equine friend. In this list, you can find out which smells to watch out for.
This information is for general knowledge purposes only. The details were gathered from online sources, and horses’ reactions to smells can vary depending on the individual. Always consult an equine expert or veterinarian for specific advice on horse behaviour.
1. Strong Perfumes
Imagine spraying your favourite perfume and watching your horse back away in disgust! Horses find artificial fragrances overwhelming to their sensitive olfactory system.
Unlike humans who might enjoy these scents, horses perceive them as foreign and potentially threatening. This natural aversion helps protect them in the wild, where unusual smells could signal danger.
2. Vinegar
That bottle of vinegar in your tack room cleaning kit? Your horse probably wishes you’d keep it sealed tight. The sharp, acidic aroma of vinegar can send horses heading in the opposite direction.
Many equestrians notice their horses snorting or flaring their nostrils when vinegar is nearby. This reaction stems from horses’ evolutionary instinct to avoid potentially harmful substances with strong, unusual odours.
3. Citrus
Fresh oranges might smell heavenly to us, but they’re often a no-go zone for horses. The intense aroma of lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits typically makes horses turn away.
Their powerful scent receptors find these sharp, tangy smells too overwhelming. Interestingly, some horse owners leverage this natural aversion by using citrus oils as a safe deterrent to prevent unwanted behaviors like cribbing.
4. Garlic
Despite its reputation for health benefits, garlic’s pungent aroma makes most horses wrinkle their noses in disgust. The strong sulfur compounds create an overwhelming sensory experience for these sensitive animals.
Curious fact: while horses generally avoid the smell, some equine supplements contain trace amounts of garlic. These products use concentrations small enough that horses won’t detect the offensive odour but can still benefit from garlic’s natural properties.
5. Onions
Watch your horse’s reaction next time you’re chopping onions near the stable! The sharp, eye-watering smell that makes humans tear up is equally unpleasant for equines.
Horses typically back away from onion odours, showing clear signs of discomfort. Beyond the smell, onions contain compounds that can be harmful to horses if ingested, so their natural aversion actually serves as a protective mechanism.
6. Mint
Surprisingly, that refreshing mint scent that humans love often sends horses heading the other way. While some horses tolerate mint in small amounts, concentrated mint oils or strong mint products frequently trigger avoidance behaviors.
The intense cooling sensation that accompanies mint smells can overwhelm a horse’s sensitive nasal passages. Some trainers have observed that mint-scented fly sprays are less effective simply because horses try to avoid the smell.
7. Chemical Cleaners
Ever noticed your horse seems unsettled after you’ve cleaned the stable with commercial products? Horses naturally shy away from the harsh chemical scents found in many cleaning supplies.
Their evolutionary instincts tell them these unfamiliar smells could be dangerous. Many experienced horse owners switch to natural cleaning products, diluted enough that the smell dissipates quickly, creating a more comfortable environment for their sensitive companions.
8. Strong Tobacco Smoke
That post-ride cigarette might be affecting your horse more than you realize. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals that create a powerful, acrid scent horses find particularly offensive.
Beyond simple dislike, smoke particles can irritate their sensitive respiratory systems. Many riding facilities now ban smoking near the stables, not just for fire safety but also for the comfort and health of the horses who find the lingering smoke smell distressing.
9. Mould Or Mildew
Horses possess an impressive ability to detect the musty odour of mould long before humans notice it. This natural aversion helps protect them from consuming spoiled feed that could cause serious health problems.
A horse that refuses hay might be detecting mould you can’t yet see or smell. Their sensitive noses serve as an early warning system, helping them avoid respiratory issues and digestive problems that could result from exposure to mouldy materials.
10. Aromatic Herbs
Those fragrant herb gardens might look beautiful near your stable, but many horses find intense herbal scents overwhelming. Rosemary, thyme, and sage can trigger snorting, head tossing, and avoidance in sensitive equines.
The concentrated essential oils in these plants create powerful aromas that can overload a horse’s sensory system. Interestingly, this varies significantly between individual horses – some may tolerate or even enjoy certain herbs while strongly disliking others.
11. Strongly Scented Soaps
Bath time becomes challenging when your horse dislikes your shampoo choice! Horses typically shy away from artificial fragrances found in many grooming products.
The synthetic scents in heavily perfumed soaps overwhelm their sensitive noses. Experienced horse owners often select unscented or naturally scented products specifically formulated for equines. This thoughtful choice makes grooming sessions more pleasant for both horse and handler.
