Calmer or calming feed?

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nicoleburgess01

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Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice. I know there have been plenty of calmer threads before but I haven't seen anything in regard to feeding a calming feed or if people have found one better than the other.

I have a 17.1hh ISH who is fine to handle on the ground but when it comes to going out for hacks and sometimes to shows he can become, how can I put this nicely, quite stupid... On hacks he can be very spooky to "things" in the woods and bushes, yet lorries and heavy traffic are fine and then when it comes to heading home he just wants to get back as quick as possible! Standing still at junctions can become a nightmare because he doesn't want to stand still and he can become quite frankly, a bit of a tit. Generally at shows he isn't too bad but he can go on high alert and grow about another hand and find everything scary. He also has a tall hedge running alongside his field and sometimes he thinks there are monsters the other side and goes into panic mode and starts galloping around the field and snorting.

This has gone on for years and is nothing new however my situation has changed where by this behaviour is now a bit of a worry as I have to be more careful.

So now I'm thinking about using a calmer or calming feed but there are so many out there that I'd like some advice on whether I should use a calmer or a calming feed and if people have found one better than the other or if you use a combination of both.

Many thanks in advance for your help
 
I'm always suspicious of products that claim to clam them.
However, out of desperation, I tried Hack-up supplement on my "super spooky, everything is scary, run for your life horse", and I have to say he is actually a pleasant ride now.
No longer do we have to dart past the Highland cows (and their scary hay feeder), we can walk past the neighbours ponies, even if they have a hoolie around the park. We can stand and chat to the neighbour is she's at her stables, whilst her dogs run around barking and playing with each other. We can go though the woody part of the hack and pop over the two tiny logs without a meltdown.
We can even go on hacks we've not been on in over 6 months and cope with everything that brings.

He really has changed and its the only different thing he's on.

Maybe worth a try too.
 
Hi Britestar,

Thank you for your reply. I've just had a look, is that the Step Free calmer? It sounds like it is definitely worth a go, it would be lovely to just go out for a nice calm relaxed hack!

Thanks again!
 
I would suggest that "calmer" feeds don't really do much. Look at what's in calm and condition, and there's not much in it too keep them calm.

If you think you need a "calmer" feed, I'd try a lower energy feed, with low sugar and starch content
 
Thank you wench that's what I thought, he holds his weight and condition fine so didn't think they would be right really.
Great name btw made me laugh when I wrote thank you wench :-)
 
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