Calmers for a nutter on box rest

[Bright_Spark]

Ok so can anyone recommend a calmer for a very stressed TB with 2 months box rest to go? Prefrably one that only takes a few days to take effect.

I have thought about using one of the following:
http://www.globalherbs.co.uk/horse/2004_pages/calmers.htm#Boxrest

http://www.globalherbs.co.uk/horse/2004_pages/calmers.htm#SuperCalm

http://www.topspec.com/TopSpec07/calmer.htm

 

[SirenaXVI]

Good luck - the thing to remember with herbal calmers is that in reality, they can take up to six weeks to show any difference - non herbal tryptophan/magnesium/B vit etc calmers work much quicker.

 

[barnbrookaa]

I would recommend steady up its a herbal based calmer it works well just dump a big scoop in horses feed once a day it will calm her right down worked a treat for mine

 

[Happytohack]

I would recommend something with valerian in it - ok, so its not allowed if you are competing, but for box rest it is ideal. Wendals herbs do a Special Arab Calmer - only thing I have found that worked really quickly and it isn't expensive. Have you thought of buying a stable mirror - some people swear by these and it might help your hyper TB.

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks everyone.

I dont really mind if its herbal or not or if it has valerian in, just something to help chill her out as I hate to see her so stressed. I'm also worried she is going to do herself an injury.

Meltdown, thanks for the nemtion of a stable mirror. The only problem is she can buck high and often gets the walls so I'd be worried that she would kick it. I'll have a think about one though.

 

[RachelB]

I would also suggest something with valerian in, or mine is also on box rest and is on Equine America So Kalm powder (based on l-tryptophan and magnesium). It worked within a few days and has kept working for the month she's been on it. If it needs topping up I can either give her more powder, or give her a paste dose from a syringe of the stuff which workes really well. However it's expensive at £1.20 per day on the maintenance dose! Worth it though, mine was getting nutty and depressed at the same time after two months of rest, and this last month she's been much better.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Heard good things about Blue Chip calmer. And don't forget stable mirrors sre stainless steel not glass so a kick or two would probably only result in a wonky reflection! I have a feed ball Amber could borrow but I'm in S Wales!

 

[herbert]

Epsom salts. cheap and works well

 

[cazzr]

I had thought about trying Epsom salts but hadn't got round to getting some.... I have however started using a magnesium and L Tryptophan supplement from the vets whilst Millie is on boxrest. Aparently you can use it regularly or ad hoc which is handy, think it takes a couple of days to kick in.
It's in the Equistro range called Equaliser(http://www.equistro.co.uk/ProdCat/Prod11Nerv.asp) and aparently is used by the british event team...??

Millie seems very chilled at the mo, more than usual in fact (2 weeks boxrest so far), so think it's working (she's only been on it a week).... if not it could be just because she likes boxrest at the mo, little piggie gets 24 hour haylage so seems chuffed to bits!
Incidently, I have just bought a stable mirror too, but haven't got round to putting it up.

Is your horse on a busy yard? I think this helps mine...
Caz

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks again.

Ah, thanks for the info about the stable mirror Sunnymum, I shall certainly look into getting her one. Silly me thinking it would be a real mirror (though a toughened one)

I might give the epsom salts ago first then. Start with the cheapest

The yard is fairly quiet, but we try to make sure either myself, OH or YO is around for a few hours each day for her (alongside stable duties times).

This week she has company with YO's TB who is injured and every night she has the pregnant shetland in. We was bringing random ponies in for company during the day, but that seems to stress her out more

 

[Tempi]

I tried the supercalm global herbs one on Archie and it didnt do anything.........

 

[Gucci_b]

I have tryed & still on the 1st bottle of Blue chip Karma £22 and can recommend it. I also have a TB mare

 

[Fiona_C]

Would highly recommend the Hilton herbs Temperamend, contains valerian and I saw a change within a week.

 

[PinkieMinx]

Global Herbs to a TB Calmer which I hear amazing things about! I am using the new Blue Chip Kalm which seems to be working on my TB. When he was on an extended period of box rest, I made the most of this time of year to pick cow parsley and hide it in a hay net - he goes mad for the stuff and he kept him very quiet tryin to get at it in the haynet!

 

[henryhorn]

I wouldn't worry about her kicking it, they are burnished steel! The resulting noise should teach her not to try that trick again.
We had to keep Diamond in for a whole year, and found moving from a day to a night stable helped tremendously. They were only next door to each other but it gave her fresh interest.
We also hand picked grass in the past for stabledhorses, tied swedes to rope, made horse lolly ices (remember I told everyone how to do it last year?)
Put bits of carrot in a titbit roller thing, that keep sthem occupied too.
As for calmer after the first few weeks they do give up and accept they don't go out anymore. I would say get the stable mirror, that will help a lot. (we already have one)

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks again everyone.

Am going to try to get Amber a mirror over the weekend as she likes having company but gets stressed when they come in/go out.

Will try the boxrest calmer first I think and if that doesnt seem to help its back to the drawing board. Will prob change my mind later though!

Henryhorn if you could PM me how to make horse ice lollies I'd be very greatful