Calmers/supplements

[pixiebee]

Appologies for the subject of this post. I know its been done loads of times but a search on here brings up so much stuff and thought it would be alot quicker just to ask here!

Some of you may know but I have a 5yr old project pony (in process of being backed) but came to me very nervous/headshy etc and whilst improving all the time, he does still think the monsters are out to get him, he is quite jumpy and sudden movements etc and yesterday he tripped over himself and panicked.lol!!!

Im thinking of trying a calmer just to help him ease into the whole being handled process etc and whilst I dont expect him to turn into a dope on a rope, I was hoping it may just take the edge of enough for him to absorb what is being learnt rather than what scary monster is going to get him next!! He is not on any hardfeed at the mo but obviously I would need to give him something small so I can feed the calmer.

Now I know different things work for different horses but is there a brand that has had good overall success / not so good etc? I dont want to spend alot, do you pay for the name?? Also I have seen Mag Ox on ebay claiming it does the job- anyone used it? Also someone told me brewers yeast and mag ox together work wonders. Is there any need to buy ready made calmers when you can buy magnesium or is that a waste of money??

 

[paulineh]

I have had a great success with Nupafeed Calmer. Have a talk to them they were a great help to me. www.nupafeed.co.uk

There are different magnesium's on the market so it will depend on what they are short of. I have been told that they do not utilize mag oxide well as they do the others.

 

[Syrah]

I use Magnitude which is 18.99 for a tub that lasts 6 months. A magnesium supplement will only work if the horse has a mag deficiency though.

 

[ThePony]

most of the calmers are magnesium based. Def worth trying adding magnesium to see if it helps him as alot of horses are magnesium deficient. If your horse doesn't change at all after a couple of weeks and his droppings become loose then I would decide that he isn't magnesium deficient. I wouldn't shell out for a brand calmer as they hare hugely expensive and some don't contain an awful lot of magnesium!! I get mine from here - cheap, excellent purity and an informative site too. We haev the magox heavy http://www.naturalhorsesupplies.co.uk/p/category/0802204936-Magnesium+Supplements/

 

[bumblelion]

I have had a great success with Nupafeed Calmer. Have a talk to them they were a great help to me. www.nupafeed.co.uk

There are different magnesium's on the market so it will depend on what they are short of. I have been told that they do not utilize mag oxide well as they do the others.

I know many people that highly recommend nupafeed. I personally don't like calmers, I find them a bit like a placebo. I prefer a high fibre diet and lots of routine. However I know some horses/owners benefit from them. Placid (d&h) I'v heard is good also for a more natural way, pretty cheap too.

 

[Lotty]

I feed Nupafeed and it works a treat.

 

[Hippona]

I use Magnitude which is 18.99 for a tub that lasts 6 months. A magnesium supplement will only work if the horse has a mag deficiency though.

^^^^
This...I have used Magnitude in the past- and very good it is too.

However- it didn't work on my current horse- who is/was very nervous/highly strung/anxious......he has needed a calmer with L-tryptophan as well as the magnesium and he is now a totally different horse.

I'm currently using Equine America So-Kalm Plus which is excellent- bit pricey though - but its helped me start hacking out and generally he's much happier.

I think TopSpec calmer has similar ingredients for less money.