Moggy
Well-Known Member
As it says above really. Has anyone else founds that magnesium based calmers have sent their horses 'loopy' but they improved when taken off them?
Anyone found calmers had the opposite effect?
- Thread starter Moggy
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vicm2509
Well-Known Member
I read on the back ok one calmer that they may have the opposite effect for a week or so due to the detoxifying effect as the horse will feel better in itself and that the desired effect should become apparent in 3-4 weeks.
vickers22
Well-Known Member
yup!!except the effect didnt go away!!He went more loopy on feelgood 30 calmer-i havnt actually found one yet that works the other way!
FREESTYLER
Well-Known Member
Funny you should say that because I have just used the Kalmer liquid and my boy went wild in the stable!!! He was rearing and leaped up on all fours... good job it is a big stable!!! I thought it may just be him having a strop/excitement but he has not been this bad before, I took him off it and since he has still got excited when the box comes into view but not half as bad... ummmmmmm.... I wonder??? Was it the Kalmer or not... I think possibly so... maybe anyone else had the same reaction??
Moggy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. My friends horse has been on C C & C for a while , as he's sharp/sensitive type, but started to get more unpredictable. She changed him onto another Mag. based calmer but he continued to be a loon. When she took him off everything he's gone back to his normal slightly sharp self but stopped bordering on dangerous.......Anyone got any other ideas ? He's on very little hi fibre feed, turned out, back checked, etc.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
I've never used a calmer so I can't say personally but I've had horse get worse on tranquilisers! One horse was prescribed Valium for stall rest and he got so spooky and unpredictable he was dangerous. Mind you he was a horse with a history of weird drug reactions so maybe not typical.
I can certainly see it though. Never say never with horses. I would think for some very reactive types it might have a "bad" effect simply because they feel "odd".
Do you know his breeding/history? Is this behaviour normal for him and/or his family? The horse I mentioned above came from a family of fruit loops (great dressage horses though) so to some extent we had to manage him rather than try to change him.
What form does his "sharpness" take? Is it an issue or just an annoyance? I find these things are often very situational and rely as much on the people and the circumtances as the actual horse. Have you tried different levels of environmental interaction? Different paddock mates/neighbours? Different work schedule/content? Is his schedule consistent and his handling quiet? Is he relaxed to ride/work? Does his turnout allow for sufficient energy release? Too much stimulation?
You might just have to play around with his life a bit and see what suits him best.
I can certainly see it though. Never say never with horses. I would think for some very reactive types it might have a "bad" effect simply because they feel "odd".
Do you know his breeding/history? Is this behaviour normal for him and/or his family? The horse I mentioned above came from a family of fruit loops (great dressage horses though) so to some extent we had to manage him rather than try to change him.
What form does his "sharpness" take? Is it an issue or just an annoyance? I find these things are often very situational and rely as much on the people and the circumtances as the actual horse. Have you tried different levels of environmental interaction? Different paddock mates/neighbours? Different work schedule/content? Is his schedule consistent and his handling quiet? Is he relaxed to ride/work? Does his turnout allow for sufficient energy release? Too much stimulation?
You might just have to play around with his life a bit and see what suits him best.
ruscara
Well-Known Member
I have tried all sorts of calmers, with varying success - the one I liked best was SoKalm by Equine America. However, since putting my boy on Brewers' Yeast as a deterrent against midges, he has been amazingly laid back.
I would advise you to try it - it's much cheaper than the 'calmers' you can buy, and just brilliant!
I would advise you to try it - it's much cheaper than the 'calmers' you can buy, and just brilliant!
Scarlett
Well-Known Member
There was a woman on my yard last year who had a lovely big WB youngster. When backing him she thought it would be a good idea to put him on a calmer to 'take the edge off him' however it seemed to have the opposite effect by making him dopey and thus he was more on edge and wary. She had a couple of nasty incidents on him and sold him on eventually.
I have used magnesium calmers during the spring and autumn while the grass is growing as my old colured gelding got very, very spooky and on edge, hacking out was nigh on impossible and the slightest gust of wind sent him spooking round the school, however after seeing what happened with my friends WB he only got a 1/3 of a dose and it was enough to keep him a bit more chilled out.
I have used magnesium calmers during the spring and autumn while the grass is growing as my old colured gelding got very, very spooky and on edge, hacking out was nigh on impossible and the slightest gust of wind sent him spooking round the school, however after seeing what happened with my friends WB he only got a 1/3 of a dose and it was enough to keep him a bit more chilled out.
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
One of ours went nuts when we put him on the NAF Magic Calmer. Have heard others having similar things happen to their horses too.
We give ours Mag Ox now for their feet and as a side effect it helps as a calmer too as balances out magnesium deficiencies which are common in most UK grazing fields today.
We give ours Mag Ox now for their feet and as a side effect it helps as a calmer too as balances out magnesium deficiencies which are common in most UK grazing fields today.
Daphnelia
Well-Known Member
Yes!! - my anglo was undergoing chiro for sore back muscles but I was advised to keep riding him (just walking), I put him on Global Herbs TB calmer, and he went from the usual bunny hops for the few minutes after I got on - to rearing vertical and rodeoing on the spot. i have never been so scared in my life, we actually put him up for sale because of it because my instructor said he was dangerous
I took him off the calmer and he went back to his usual sweet (if worrysome) self - I have no doubt what caused it and wished I'd never used it - its knocked my confidence in him something stupid.
There should be more studies done on the effects of these things I think..
I took him off the calmer and he went back to his usual sweet (if worrysome) self - I have no doubt what caused it and wished I'd never used it - its knocked my confidence in him something stupid.