Calmer for Farrier Visit

[HollyWoozle]

Just me again... looking for more advice! (sorry!)

Farrier is coming 7th April and I'm looking for a suitable calmer to try for Belle. Last time the farrier came, she went a bit nuts and panicked and I would like to avoid that situation again. She is already better with her feet as we are now doing more with her and we plan to have the farrier shoe her in an area she is more used to. I also intend to hold her rather than tie her as she seems a lot more comfortable this way.

I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable one off calmer which I could give Belle to help her relax? I know that some calmers work for some horses and not others but perhaps there is something which has had a lot of success? I am looking for something not too hardcore that will just help her settle and preferably something easy to administer and not too expensive (tall order!).

Thanks again and sorry to keep pestering you all for help... you are good at it though.

 

[Ravenwood]

I have a terrible traveller and have tried various calmers. As you say, some work for some horses but not others. I tried the Naff Instant Magic and it did Naff all! The only thing that works on my mare is sedaline. I am lucky that my vets know me so well, they will just leave it out in the box for me if I ask for some. I think (and stand to be corrected because I have no vet knowledge) that if the adrenaline kicks in it overides most instant calmers.

It would perhaps be a good idea to hold her (as you say) and have a large haynet tied up or bucket of food to keep her occupied whilst she is being shod and try and create a positive memory.

If that fails, have you tried twitching her? You have to attach the twitch a little while before it really takes effect to let the endorphines work but it might work as a last resort. I, luckily, have never had to twitch my current mare but sometimes I do just pinch her top lip if needs be and she stands like a rock.

Good luck, I am sure that the more she experiences getting shod the better she will be

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks for the advice. I intend to give her a haynet and just keep hold and I think we'll get the job done like this, I just would like something for a bit of extra confidence and to take the edge off if possible. She is only shod on the front right now and requires a back trim so hopefully it will go smoothly.