Calming supplement, do they work or not??

B

Bevjane

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 September 2020
Messages
71
Visit site
Hi all I have a OTTB and long story short from the go we have had our ups and downs, I’ve always had him on a calming supplement, I’m not really sure why I think it was my anxiety rather than his and the presumption that because he’s a TB then he needed it, so tried many different ones, now on Equine America so Kalm, not sure if any do much as don’t know what he’s like without one, has anyone’s horse been on a calmer and they have just taken them off them and the behaviour has been better /no different?
 
I used Hilton Herbs Calm and Collected for a few weeks prior to a move as the pony was a tricky loader and a bad traveller at the time (he has been reschooled and is fine now) and kept him on it for the first few weeks at the new place. It definitely made him far less reactive after the first week of use and he was back to his usual jumpy self without it but I was getting fed up with his muted reactions by then so all good. It has to be used for a few weeks to get the full effect but it did the job.
 
I used Science Supplements ProKalm as a temporary measure for a very reactive pony. He was quite complicated and there were multiple factors contributing to his reactiveness, but the ProKalm definitely seemed to help buy him a few more seconds of processing time before his "panic and run" reflex kicked in. That's the best way I can think to explain it. He was his normal self but just slightly more teachable.

I don't think I'd want one on it all the time though - we were just using it to help break a cycle of reactiveness that he'd got into. Once we'd taught him to slow down and think a bit he came off it. If I had a horse that was needing a calming supplement all the time I'd be wondering what was fundamentally wrong - diet lacking something, not enough TO, not enough consistent work, am I just not a confident enough rider for this horse - or whatever.

Besides, they cost a flipping fortune and I'm too tight for that 😆
 
I had to rehabilitate a slightly nutty PRE and was recommended Ashwaganda powder from Rowen Barbary. I was pleasantly surprised with the results as I’ve never actually found a calmer that actually works before.
 
I've used a variety of different calmers. One she wouldn't touch, one worked but was a nightmare to get hold of. Another was ok as in took the edge off and the best one was straightforward valerian. However it's not legal if you compete but for a nervous reactive mare it works a treat.
 
I’ve never not had him on a calmer, the day I brought him he flipped in the lorry got stuck over the front breast bar causing multiple injuries, after he came home from the vets he was on pain killers, antibiotics ext and was box rested for 4 months, started him on the calmer then, that was nearly 5 years ago, if I’m honest I don’t know what he’s like without them, he can be a donkey to handle and be around one day and then be a pain the next, not nasty just stroppy, he had kissing spine surgery 2023 and was on box rest again, was on Trazadone and Sedalin that time as well has his regular calmer as he needed to be supper chilled due to the surgery, I’m just maybe thinking to take him off it and just see what his personality really is 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
I use the premier performance calmer powder and it is genuinely brilliant. I have a very sensitive/easily upset by sensory input horse and it has brought her anxiety down to a level she is able to cope with it. Doesn’t dull her personality or “turn off” her anxiety but definitely helps manage it. Accidentally ran out once and we had a horrific few days.

I highly recommend it!
 
Widgeon said:
I used Science Supplements ProKalm as a temporary measure for a very reactive pony. He was quite complicated and there were multiple factors contributing to his reactiveness, but the ProKalm definitely seemed to help buy him a few more seconds of processing time before his "panic and run" reflex kicked in. That's the best way I can think to explain it. He was his normal self but just slightly more teachable.

I don't think I'd want one on it all the time though - we were just using it to help break a cycle of reactiveness that he'd got into. Once we'd taught him to slow down and think a bit he came off it. If I had a horse that was needing a calming supplement all the time I'd be wondering what was fundamentally wrong - diet lacking something, not enough TO, not enough consistent work, am I just not a confident enough rider for this horse - or whatever.

Besides, they cost a flipping fortune and I'm too tight for that 😆
Click to expand...
Thank you, like I’ve said I’ve not know him without the calmer so I don’t really know what he’s like, with it, one day he can be calm as a cucumber and following round like a dog then the next he’s stroppy and won’t stand and is generally obnoxious, not in a nasty way just inpatient, he’s turned out 24/7 has regular teeth/saddle checks and physio as had kissing spine surgery in 2023, to ride he’s fine just green, I’m probably answering my own question just to take him off the calmer and see what happens, what’s the worst that can happen?? 😬
 
I took my boy off his calmer towards the end of the covid as I wasn't riding and didn't see the point in paying out for more when he ran out. When I started riding again I still didn't put him back on it as he seemed okay and I was confident he didn't need it and it was only a placebo for me. Then as he got fitter his behaviour reverted to his pre calmer days! In the end I mentioned to my instructor that I might put him back on it and her response was 'why on Earth did you take him off it?'

I do give him a break from it occasionally but when I'm competing or if he starts getting too spooky on hacks...I'd rather pay for the calmer than spook into a car...then he goes back on it.

I used to have him on a bespoke calmer but then changed him to Nutri-calm which currently works for him.
 
Spiritedly said:
I took my boy off his calmer towards the end of the covid as I wasn't riding and didn't see the point in paying out for more when he ran out. When I started riding again I still didn't put him back on it as he seemed okay and I was confident he didn't need it and it was only a placebo for me. Then as he got fitter his behaviour reverted to his pre calmer days! In the end I mentioned to my instructor that I might put him back on it and her response was 'why on Earth did you take him off it?'

I do give him a break from it occasionally but when I'm competing or if he starts getting too spooky on hacks...I'd rather pay for the calmer than spook into a car...then he goes back on it.

I used to have him on a bespoke calmer but then changed him to Nutri-calm which currently works for him.
Click to expand...
Thank you that’s good to here your experience ☺️
 
I used to use one for Baggs as when I was first riding him, my worry combined with his made for some rather hairy moments, including one where I swore it would be the day that I met the good Lord above.....

Our relationship is a lot better nowadays and I know him so well that I can pre-empt a spook/spin/rear etc and usually negotiate my way out of it before it escalates, but I do always keep a tub on standby and if I feel that he needs a bit of extra support, I'll pop a double dose in for a few days.

I did speak to my vet about the way I was using the calmer and if it would actually have any effect or if it were purely a placebo, and he replied interestingly enough that using the calmer sparingly was something he'd advise in Baggs' case as he doesn't require it 24/7 only as the occasional top up :)

On the other hand, my friend has two warmbloods who live on a mix of calmer, hoof supplement, gut supplement and a hearty helping of feed a few times a day as otherwise things go south mega fast!

All in all I'd say calmers do work and have their place - if you are wanting to try your lad without his, I'd say try half doses of his calmer rather than a cut and shut removal - that way if things don't go as planned, the acclimation back to full standard dose shouldn't take too long as there will be some left in his system :) x
 
AppyLover1996 said:
I used to use one for Baggs as when I was first riding him, my worry combined with his made for some rather hairy moments, including one where I swore it would be the day that I met the good Lord above.....

Our relationship is a lot better nowadays and I know him so well that I can pre-empt a spook/spin/rear etc and usually negotiate my way out of it before it escalates, but I do always keep a tub on standby and if I feel that he needs a bit of extra support, I'll pop a double dose in for a few days.

I did speak to my vet about the way I was using the calmer and if it would actually have any effect or if it were purely a placebo, and he replied interestingly enough that using the calmer sparingly was something he'd advise in Baggs' case as he doesn't require it 24/7 only as the occasional top up :)

On the other hand, my friend has two warmbloods who live on a mix of calmer, hoof supplement, gut supplement and a hearty helping of feed a few times a day as otherwise things go south mega fast!

All in all I'd say calmers do work and have their place - if you are wanting to try your lad without his, I'd say try half doses of his calmer rather than a cut and shut removal - that way if things don't go as planned, the acclimation back to full standard dose shouldn't take too long as there will be some left in his system :) x
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for sharing your experience and your advice, riding is not the issue with Sam, he’s very green and can be a little spooky but he doesn’t buck, rear, spin or bolt it’s sometimes on the ground that he’s a pain, sometimes he is so layed back and amenable and other days he so grumpy and inpatient and everything is a battle from grooming to the blacksmith it’s like some days he’s got out the bed the wrong side! He’s a nightmare to load and travel to the point I’ve stopped trying and the lorry is up for sale! I’ve done loads of ground work and joining up and he takes to it lovely and he’s a dream to work with but only on the days he’s not grumpy, those days we get there in the end but we have to get over the grumpiness first, which feels like a battle, I have started to cut the calmer down as I really want to see his true personality, good or bad 😬
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top