Calmer or mare supplement?

[trundle]

What is the difference between these two things? is one better than another? How do you figure out whether your horse actually needs a supplement of this kind anyway? If you had a mare that was quite spooky and "wound-up" out hacking, and got hugely over-excited in the school and when jumping, but had perfect manners on the ground, would you consider a calmer, or a hormone supplement, or would you consider it to be more of a schooling / poor riding problem?

I just want to enjoy riding her, without feeling as if i'm going to be dumped on the ground at any second.

 

[Nosey]

Well I use both!! Started for a good 2 yrs on just the hormone supplement (oestress). It def improved her as I tried to take her off it a couple of times and she got worse. When she got fitter and I upped her competing thought I would try a calmer too as she got bit wound up at Horse Trials where a lot more was going on. This works for me but is a case of trial and error. If her behaviour coincides with her seasons try the hormonal product. If she is like this all the time then maybe go for a clamer initially. I don't think is a cop out - if there is anythingh that help keeps them on your side go for it. Its not meant to replace schooling / exercise etc but can help you get more from your work. Might also be worth calling a feed helpline and talk through her diet. I know mine is sugar intolerant too so you may or may not be able to get a benefit from tweaking her diet.

 

[RuthP]

I use both too! Decided to use the hormone supplement as she had very irrational behaviour episodes that co-incided with her coming into season. I have tried most supplements on the market and Frisky Mare Plus by Global Herbs is a god send, nothing else I've tried has had much effect.
I then decided to use a calmer because I was competing a lot more and i felt it was nicer for her and me being calmer about travelling etc. It has also made hacking a lot less spooky which is never a bad thing!
I'd had her on the hormone supplement for a while with great results but then decided to try the calmer mainly to stop the spookyness and her getting so wound up. It's nice being able to relax around her and trust her more, I feel so much safer and I don't have to plan ahead so as not to upset her/wind her up.
Definately not schooling/rider problems because in the winter she is perfect and when not in season she is a different horse with perfect manners on the ground and when ridden.
I also do not think its a cop out as I dread to think what would've happened to my mare without the FriskyMare stuff if she'd have gone to the wrong person.

 

[damsel]

I have always used Steady up with my mare as she was very silly and used to take off and buck and become quite dangerous. Since i used it 7 years ago i have only had to use it one more time and that was when she was in a heavy season and wouldn't come out of season. Just try it and see what happens.x