Calmer (or something else) but for not when ridden

[Pikachu]

Bit of an odd one and I’m stuck when looking so thought I’d ask for any suggestions. I’m looking at a possible calmer (or something else if suggested) for a horse that is fine when ridden but it’s more to help his anxiety in the rest of his life.

He had the mctimoney chiropractor this week who said his neck was really tense but she didn’t think from any ridden work (was stiff as a board when got him a year ago so have worked on freeing him up) but because he is so anxious in general life and suggested trying him on something to help with this. In yard/field/stable he a jumpy snorty instant panic type but is safe and laid back under saddle with only the occasional spook at a bird or log.

Most calmers are aimed at the more “highly strung” under saddle, which he isn’t and I really would not want him any more laid back under saddle than he already is and so was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

You've essentially described by horse. I thought maybe a calmer might be better for him to ease his mind. But we compete, so limited options, and I don't want it to effect anything under saddle. I don't think this is possible, so I guess he is forever weird. But honestly, he's mostly just gotten better with age. Sometimes with him I think it's a form of self entertainment; spooking at the bucket that's always been in his neighbors paddock. I can't explain it otherwise ?

I did do a 30 day treatment for ulcers for the heck of it, then tapered him off, and no change. I thought for sure he had to of given himself an ulcer or two by now ?

 

[Pikachu]

You've essentially described by horse. I thought maybe a calmer might be better for him to ease his mind. But we compete, so limited options, and I don't want it to effect anything under saddle. I don't think this is possible, so I guess he is forever weird. But honestly, he's mostly just gotten better with age. Sometimes with him I think it's a form of self entertainment; spooking at the bucket that's always been in his neighbors paddock. I can't explain it otherwise ?

I did do a 30 day treatment for ulcers for the heck of it, then tapered him off, and no change. I thought for sure he had to of given himself an ulcer or two by now ?

Ah see I don’t really compete, he was bought for me (nearly without me knowing) to be the sensible one to help get my mojo back, which he is doing. I mostly ignore his panics and carry on but it’s just because the chiro suggested it that I’m looking. He’s a 16.3hh ID type who takes 7’ rugs, you can chuck the rug at him with no reaction but put the rug on the gate/stable door or on the floor and he’ll try to run away from it.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Mine has been having acupuncture. He's quite an anxious/tense character, which consequently makes his muscles tight, and consequently then is sore/painful which then makes him even MORE guarded and spooky. It's made a fairly marked difference to him. He had an injection behind his ears which is meant to relieve anxiety and it's just stopped him over-reacting to the little things in life.

 

[DabDab]

A decent dose of vitamin e might help. He does sound like he has a few symptoms of some kind of muscle myopathy. Particularly if he's also quite slow to get going when riding.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Ah yeah, forgot to say mine is on a high dose of Vitamin E. And although he is weird and spooky, he's never had hard or tense muscles pre or post Vitamin E. So I'm not of much help there. Could be worth a shot though. How about magnesium? There are a few things that can cause muscle hardness and I'd be tempted to pull some blood to check his levels and analyze his diet to make sure he is getting appropriate vitamins and minerals.

 

[Pikachu]

A decent dose of vitamin e might help. He does sound like he has a few symptoms of some kind of muscle myopathy. Particularly if he's also quite slow to get going when riding.

Thanks for suggestion but I don’t think he’s sore in that way. He’s 19 now and I don’t think he was ever worked/schooled properly by previous owners, just ridden, if you get what I mean so he takes a while to soften up because of this but he’s always willing.

 

[Pikachu]

Ah yeah, forgot to say mine is on a high dose of Vitamin E. And although he is weird and spooky, he's never had hard or tense muscles pre or post Vitamin E. So I'm not of much help there. Could be worth a shot though. How about magnesium? There are a few things that can cause muscle hardness and I'd be tempted to pull some blood to check his levels and analyze his diet to make sure he is getting appropriate vitamins and minerals.

Magnesium is a simple one to try I suppose. His quarters etc are all fine, it was purely neck she commented on mainly she thinks from tensing it when snorting and panicking at stuff. He gets a balancer with topspec zero chaff so should be getting all he needs that way.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He could be short of magnesium/calcium/salt. I would try adding each individually for a month to see if any of them make a difference.

 

[oldjumper]

Bit of an odd one and I’m stuck when looking so thought I’d ask for any suggestions. I’m looking at a possible calmer (or something else if suggested) for a horse that is fine when ridden but it’s more to help his anxiety in the rest of his life.

He had the mctimoney chiropractor this week who said his neck was really tense but she didn’t think from any ridden work (was stiff as a board when got him a year ago so have worked on freeing him up) but because he is so anxious in general life and suggested trying him on something to help with this. In yard/field/stable he a jumpy snorty instant panic type but is safe and laid back under saddle with only the occasional spook at a bird or log.

Most calmers are aimed at the more “highly strung” under saddle, which he isn’t and I really would not want him any more laid back under saddle than he already is and so was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?[/QUOT


This perfectly describes my horse (and previous horses) exactly! Recommend any calmer that you fancy (mine’s a G&T). I’m not being facetious - if you can stay calm and breathe your lovely horse will gain some confidence. But don’t be too worried at spooks at a hay net that he sees every day - that’s just him. Love him for what he is....and laugh (quietly, out of his hearing)?

 

[Griffin]

Mine improved a lot with magnesium oxide but it can have the opposite effect so be careful!

I wonder whether it might be worth looking at Protechmasta stuff? They are supposed to help with relieving tension, so might be worth a look.

It's very old fashioned but lavender has relaxing properties and lavender wash is quite cheap!

 

[Parrotperson]

I can highly recommend https://equifeast-shop.com/cool-calm-collected/

Helped my two year old become much easier and less stressed.

 

[Pikachu]

Thanks for all the suggestions, will look into them. It doesn’t bother me, I just usually roll my eyes at his actions, but if it’s causing knock on effects to his body then I want him to be comfortable so will try some things.

 

[BBP]

I’ve finally realised after 12 years that my horses general anxiety in life is because he’s in pain, somewhere. It makes him feel more vulnerable and on edge, more tuned in to his flight instinct I think. In the periods where I had things under control, and had him with good herd buddies, he chilled right out. Perhaps under saddle your horse feels safer as he thinks you are in charge of health and safety?

 

[Cowpony]

Salt

 

[Pikachu]

As it’s an easy one to try, for those saying salt, what quantities is this being fed at? A pinch/shake/spoon?

 

[Griffin]

As it’s an easy one to try, for those saying salt, what quantities is this being fed at? A pinch/shake/spoon?

I just do a good pinch of sea salt each day but I think the recommendation is 30g per day for a 500kg horse.

 

[SpotsandBays]

An old livery used to feed magnesium to her Arab X. It was a scatty bugger on the ground! Think it did help somewhat from memory

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I’ve finally realised after 12 years that my horses general anxiety in life is because he’s in pain, somewhere. It makes him feel more vulnerable and on edge, more tuned in to his flight instinct I think. In the periods where I had things under control, and had him with good herd buddies, he chilled right out. Perhaps under saddle your horse feels safer as he thinks you are in charge of health and safety?

I thought about this too. I don't think it is the case with my weirdo (based off of knowing him for a longgg time, his breeding, his health, and general activity), but for the OP something to consider. Especially the muscle tightness in the neck. I'm not totally convinced it is from spooking and snorting, but that is my opinion from a distance.

The other thing I thought of, is that the horse is more focused under saddle and less worried about the monsters in the closet because his brain is working on other things.

 

[Cowpony]

As it’s an easy one to try, for those saying salt, what quantities is this being fed at? A pinch/shake/spoon?

I have an old supplement measure which is probably about a dessert spoonful. I feed slightly less when she hasn't sweated, more if she has. Mine won't touch a salt lick so this is all she gets

 

[Theskebaldmare]

Bit of an odd one and I’m stuck when looking so thought I’d ask for any suggestions. I’m looking at a possible calmer (or something else if suggested) for a horse that is fine when ridden but it’s more to help his anxiety in the rest of his life.

He had the mctimoney chiropractor this week who said his neck was really tense but she didn’t think from any ridden work (was stiff as a board when got him a year ago so have worked on freeing him up) but because he is so anxious in general life and suggested trying him on something to help with this. In yard/field/stable he a jumpy snorty instant panic type but is safe and laid back under saddle with only the occasional spook at a bird or log.

Most calmers are aimed at the more “highly strung” under saddle, which he isn’t and I really would not want him any more laid back under saddle than he already is and so was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

if he is stiff you could try carrot stretches they really helped mine

 

[Buster2020]

You horse is extremely like my horse by the way you describe him. I found a calmer that stop the fight or fight response but doesn’t affect how they are ridden. I can give you the name of the calmer if you would like me to.