A horse's temperament is influenced by a variety of factors, some genetic, but primarily, temperament is affected by the environment the horse is in. Traveling, competing, changing stables, and acquiring new herd members are factors that can contribute to a stress response in our horses. Stress is fundamentally a series of hormone secretions, which are counteracted by the secretion of other hormones. Whether stress is detrimental to our horses or can actually have a positive effect depends on how long the stress lasts. A temporary stress response has helped horses survive among predators for thousands of years, while chronic stress can have a negative impact on a horse's well-being. 

Serotonin and melatonin are important hormones, crucial for stress reduction. The production of these hormones depends on various nutrients, including L-tryptophan, magnesium, and thiamine.