Done before I know, but best calmer?

stencilface

stencilface

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After a disappointing hack today where I had to get off as it was the only way of stopping my horse bunny hopping/plunging and about to go down a v slippy hill. Normally lively behaviours don't bother me - but he is meant to be on controlled walk hacks for PSD and his behaviour is v annoying!

He gets hay, and a small amount of fibre nuts morning and night. He gets a joint supplement, and a general vit and min supplement along with oil in the evening. He was on TopSpec Comp balancer to make sure he got everything, but I took him off it two weeks ago, thinking that was what was causing the behaviour. He is in at night, and in a v small paddock in the day, so I think that is what is causing his friskiness :rolleyes:

So really I am looking for an overall in-feed calmer to take the edge off, and then maybe an on the spot one for the days when he seems most likely to go kaboom out riding - I have heard that Relax Me is good - any others? :)

Nothing to offer but tea and a log fire :)
 
I tried Global Herbs - So Calm before I bought RexMe and it didn't work. RelaxMe is fab and though expensive you may only need it for a period. I used it for around 5 months and then stopped. It's brilliant and I have not yet heard anyone say it didn't work on their horse. :)
 
I feed my youngster A&P Fast Fibre, Mollichaff Calmer Chaff and an extra dose of magnesium from a herbal supplier on Ebay.

When he initially came back from training (after a few "issues"), I put him on this, with Nupafeed and Equine America Magnitude. I have now dropped off both the calmers and simply have him on the basic feed.

**Touch wood**, we are doing ok at the moment.
 
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Equine answers calmer worked after 2 days of feeding in feed daily. Went from looney uncontrollable horrid pony to competition horse overnight!

Carl hester Pro mag for show days is excellent. Knocked my horse right out, so only used half the next time. She doesn't need the pro mag anymore, but do still use the EQ daily calmer and definately notice the difference when I try and cut it down!
 
Nupafeed, or any calmer WITHOUT triptophan and that contains magnesium aspartate hydrochloride (don't know if any other companies other than nupafeed make such a calmer). Most calmers are made of magnesium chloride which has a much slower absorption rate- see the nupafeed website, it explains it better than me!
I'm actually doing this in my second year at uni at the moment and have looked into the sciencey bit behind them, so if you have any questions just ask.
Good luck!
 
I have used a few. Mine have magnesium in their feed on its own. I have used NAF magic daily supplement which was ok. The NAF magic syringes had a positive effect on both the warmblood and tb. People also sing NUPAFEEDS praises too so they would be worth a look.
 
Stencilface said:
After a disappointing hack today where I had to get off as it was the only way of stopping my horse bunny hopping/plunging and about to go down a v slippy hill. Normally lively behaviours don't bother me - but he is meant to be on controlled walk hacks for PSD and his behaviour is v annoying!
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I believe that an awful lot of bad behaviour in horses is caused by pain. Stomach acid and hurting feet are the two big ones as far as I can see.

Your horse's behaviour is not untypical for a horse with spavins. They hurt most going downhill and the first indication of a horse with spavins is sometimes that they start to mess about when asked to go downhill.

I wonder if his PSD (which I'm assuming is in the hinds in your horse and is often associated with spavins?) could be the cause of his behaviour, in which case calmers will be a waste of money
 
Daily Stuff
Blue Chip Karam is good has both magnesium and tryptophan
So Kalm plus has the same active ingredients at stronger levels.
Last post about this someone mentioned one that was even stronger again but sorry I dont' remeber it.

Instant Effect Stuff
So Kalm Plus Paste - miraculous stuff but £20 a tube and a tube does one go.

I can't point to scientific articles but I hear the anti tryptophan argument and did some reading up along with getting some specific blood tests on my lad. Turned out he was deficient in the chemicals(not a scientist there's a better word than that) which are helped by tryptophan.

Soley Magnesium based calmers do work for many though. You can get magnesium powder straigh a lot cheaper than most calmers, look on the barefoot supplements type sites.
 
So, I guess its a case of suck it and see then? Thanks for responses, will go look online and in feed shops for further research, will also ask vet about more immediate calmers...

Cptrayes - I don't think it is spavins, he was seen by the vet last week, and only scanned/ultrasounded/xrayed just over 2 months ago. He is frisky atm due to restricted lifestyle. This wasn't helped by a rumbling large truck going past on a narrow road, not slowing down (I wasn't able to trot away from it due to being restricted to walk) his behaviour was then exacerbated by a teenager on his hunting/games pony, flying past me at trot - not happy! :mad: My mum's horse slipped and fell on this section on of road last week, so am feeling especially cautious!

As I said, normally he is not like this due to turnout, and atm, I just can't deal with the behaviour, as I can't push him into trot etc and deal with things how I normally would, as I am so desperate to stop the plunging/rearing asap to stop him damaging himself :o
 
I have put my little welshy on Horse First Relax Me, bringing him in after 6 months turned out 24/7 and being stabled really stressed my boy out, he just gets chaf, sprinkle of pony cubs and carrots. He is like a different horse, he used to rear loads when he saw me, this has now stopped with the odd bunny hop.
 
Since you are not competing (presumably!) I would use a valerian based calmer such as V-Calm, or Lincoln Valerian cordial - valerian works well to take the edge off. I used it for box rested horse who had to be on controlled exercise like yours.
 
In your situation, go valerian. There are a couple of different products on the market - I just bought whatever was in stock. I would imagine a cordial would have a quick uptake but I've fed the dry supplement to box resting horses with good results. (I had one that didn't look that affected in the box but it made a massive difference when he was out.)

It's the ONLY "calmer" that has any proof behind it - that's why it's banned for competition. :) It is effectively a very mild sedative. In your situation, where safety watchword and rehabilitation is the goal, I wouldn't hesitate to go for something proven and not waste time trying all the options to see if they/what works for your situation. I'd offer you my left over half tub to try but by the time I posted it to you you might as well get some, it's not that expensive. If anyone is Surrey wants it to try, though, let me know.

All the obvious stuff about feeding for the situation (no cereals etc), as well, although I'm sure you're on that. :)
 
I have used Valerian on a non-competing horse and it was very good and i also use Relax me on my competition horses - one is quite sharp so gets loaded up on it before events the other just gets it once a day to take away any uneccesary nervous energy
 
Feisty Mare said:
Since you are not competing (presumably!) I would use a valerian based calmer such as V-Calm, or Lincoln Valerian cordial - valerian works well to take the edge off. I used it for box rested horse who had to be on controlled exercise like yours.
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I use herbal calmer called super calm which has valerian in it and find its the only one that has helped.She is very anxious stressy tb and the calmer helps take edge off.She is still high energy but is more co-operative on this calmer.
 
Dizzle said:
Anyone? :D
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Some studies have shown that tryptophan can have the very opposite of the desired effect and it can be a stimulant for some horses. If it wasn't so late I would direct you to said studies, but they are in my notes which are downstairs and I'm in bed so will post them tomorrow. :)
If you're already feeding your horse a tryptophan based calmer and its working then don't worry, all horses react differently.
 
Sorry, only just got back to this post - thanks Tarrsteps for re-iterating- will have a look at the Valerian, its not one thats really talked about on here, probably cos its banned ;) But if its banned, it must have the desired effect.

Although he has been oddly well behaved the last couple of times out, I'm still going to feed the little swine something. There is maize in the supplements sadly, so I will try and look for alternatives to them, but I feel I need to give him those, as otherwise he is only on forage which I worry in times of healing and repair, might not have everything he needs.

I will try the valerian, and if he's still a bit wappy, will knock off the supplements for a few weeks to see - can't do more than one change at once. Started trot work this week, so hopefully that will make him happier. My oh so lazy laid back horse has turned into a forward going, bit crazy one - its quite a change :D

Re feeding for the situation, many people recommend feeding a balancer to make sure they get everything, then I realise after noticing his behaviour and speaking to friends that it can be completely the wrong thing to feed :rolleyes:
 
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