Calmer recommendations please!

horseychick86

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Can anyone recommend a calming product that actually works? I am a little sceptical about calmers in general but thought I may as well give something a go. Lack of turnout is not helping my mare at the moment but hopefully that won't be an issue for too much longer. She can get quite nervous at shows and events resulting in some rather amusing dressage scores...I am looking for something that will help her to relax and take the 'edge' off . She's currently on ad-lib hay, and pony nuts with hi-fi chaff so nothing heating in terms of food. I have tried Magic syringes on one occasion on which she was great when we first arrived at the show but suddenly went loopy whilst warming up and I was unable to settle her resulting in a score of 52% in a prelim dressage test :(
 
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AdorableAlice

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Vetplus Kalmex. Currently using it on horse going into his 8 month of box rest. Working nicely. Not sure if it is purchasable without vet though.

Prior to this I used Top Spec calmer at a double dose, that also worked, but bear in mind this is a horse confined to a box.

For a riding horse I would be inclined to up the work, lower the food and compete it off the field before deciding it needed a calmer.
 

opinionuk

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I used Relax me on my mare and it had no effect on her at all, I have now put her on Nupafeed and it works a treat!
 

Andiamo

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I've tried several on my fruitloop :)
I've ended up taking a holistic approach - and completely reviewed his feeds, and subsequently cut back on sugar and starch in the feed. The feed companies told me that a sharp horse should not have a feed with more than 10% starch.
He also gets Equine America Magnitude...it does nothing at all...I won't buy it again when the tub is empty. NAF Magic syringes - no effect at all. Tried Herbs - Hilton Herbs, James Hart, Valerian...very little effect...

I then had a horse communicator out, who also sells Ayurvedic herbal mixtures...she recommended one for my horse, and it made a big difference even on Day 2 of receiving it!! It was almost immediate!! It doesn't list the ingredients, but I have been assured there is nothing in it that is testable, no Valerian etc. I put him on a loading dose of 25ml twice a day, and the following week my trainer couldn't believe it was the same horse!! no more spooking, no more napping, no more anxiety or silliness - he just focussed on the task and listened to me. IMO, it gives him a better quality of life, because he's not so anxious now. It costs about £19.00 for a 1Litre jug, which should last you about a month, so it works out cheaper than NAF Magic liquid which is about £30/month. The horse has transformed, has put on muscle because he works so much better now, and I trust taking him out to shows now... whatever it is ...it really works.

This liquid is called Stresscare. You don't need a visit to get it, but she might want to chat to you on the phone before letting you buy it (to make sure it is the right product for your horse) - go to http://www.himalayanherbal.co.uk/products.htm - you have to phone to buy it, you can't buy it online.
 

cyberhorse

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The magnesium based ones only make a big difference if your horse is deficient. I have tried V calm which worked a bit and also oxyshot which was more successful. However as someone mentioned general diet changes can be best if you have sugar/carbs you can cut out. I have put my horse on a combined balancer&conditioner and really cut down on carbs to improve his feet and he is way more chilled and less moody generally without loosing his ooomf.
 

Alibear

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Equine America So-Kalm Plus paste, I've tried all sorts and this is enough to drop an air craft carrier. It does cost £20 per syringe and 1 syringe is 1 dose so it is expensive.
The So-Kalm powder is a daily suppliment that also works but to a lesser extent than the syringes.
 

Cashew

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As previously mentioned, I too looked at my boy's diet having tried calmers in +++ and put him on a low carb diet of balancer and conditioning mix. He still gets a scoop of Magic powder daily but generally his whole attitude has changed and I am hoping to reap the benefits this season.

I did find last season that by increasing the dose of calmer a couple of days before helped ie loading dosage.

Also I was recommended that when using Magic Syringes you should never feed hay/haylage on the day that you give the dose until you have competed or completed the task that you required the calmer for and that sometimes more than one syringe is necessary.

Good luck as I know it is a minefield and each horse is different. Mine by the way suffers from anxiety when show jumping and can also get very tense in the dressage!
 

flyonthewall

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Syringes didn't work for my lady. She was still tense, anxious and wouldn't concentrate. She also lost some movement because the calmer relaxed her muscles but did nothing for her head!

I would recommend magnesium as a supplement and I also use slut mix. Weird name but it works. She isn't particulary Marish but this has calmed her down in all respects, to handle, to ride and at competition.
 

Javabb94

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Cool calm and collected by Equifeast!

Calcium based not magnesium and works really well!

Also fantastic advice and service from Equifeast every time!

If you need something a bit extra they send you free samples so you can try and see how it goes
Simply can't rate enough!

Same with nupafeed liquid MAH although a little more expensive
 
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