Do calmers work with hacking issues?

I've used Rescue Remedy in the past; have had success with this at the dentist!!!

They also do little pastilles, which are ideal to pop in your mouth and suck as you go along, or you can have one in your pocket for if you get a stressy moment and need something PDQ.

Personally, I think it was probably the need for a "confidence booster" which was the issue rather than it being the "thing" itself, if you see what I mean.

Not that rescue remedy isn't any good, it is wonderful stuff - but the other day we boxed up the horses and went onto some open country for a hack, and I realised as we set off that I hadn't taken my gulge of rescue remedy!!! But I didn't actually (probably) need it, it was just me thinking I did, kinda thing.

So as one's confidence increases, the need for a "calmer" will decrease to the point where its not needed anymore.
 
I used NAF Magic on my horse for a couple of years. He was quite jumpy out on hacks, shooting off at canter bucking energetically if something surprised him. He also is very easily distracted if something catches his eye in the distance, such as a tractor workign two fields away. I found that the Magic took the edge of this, making him a lot less quick with his flight response. He doesn't need it anymore now that he is older and also I know him much better
 
Do you mean for you or the horse? Ive heard epsom salts are a good carmer for horses. I think it depends on what issues you have. Sometimes its best to just get out there, its thinking about things too much that can make things worse.
Dont think any horse is 100% bombproof.There are lots of calmers around but dont know if any thing really works that well.
 
Tass said:
I used NAF Magic on my horse for a couple of years. He was quite jumpy out on hacks, shooting off at canter bucking energetically if something surprised him. He also is very easily distracted if something catches his eye in the distance, such as a tractor workign two fields away. I found that the Magic took the edge of this, making him a lot less quick with his flight response. He doesn't need it anymore now that he is older and also I know him much better
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking of trying, he's not horrendous by any means but like your boy is very easily distracted by other things going on, obviously I'm working on this as a schooling thing but thought perhaps NAF magic may make him concentrate more (he's a typical boy - can only think of one thing at a time).

I use rescue remedy - brill stuff. Have tried it on horse though but it made him worse :rolleyes:
 
I tried using a calmer on my daughter pony who was very flighty out hacking, just had a general nervous disposition. Can't remember what it was called but it was liquid in a bottle.

Anyway, it sent her off the rails, she was 10 times worse!
She even became edgy in familiar surroundings like her paddock and stable.

I've never dared use one since, I have no idea why this happened, it was really strange.

I've found with all other horses I've had that they just get better in time, the more you hack the better they become. I've a 4 year old at present that is very easily distracted, but thankfully he doesn't do anything bad, he's a serious squeeler and has to squeel at every horse he sees and it was unsettling at first but I just nudge him forwards and make him pay attention to me. If he gets a spook he takes off, but again he listens when I ask him to stop, but I've had my heart in my mouth a few times, its not a nice feeling.

I've friends that swear by calmers, so maybe they do work with "normal" ponies lol x
 
Hi My mare can be anxious when hacking, she's not spooky so much but a sudden noise like a gunshot can really unnerve her and it takes awhile to settle her back down. I use the Global Herb SuperCalm instant sachets and just give her one a couple of hours before I take her out. I have noticed a difference so may be worth a try.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top