Everyday calmer for an excitable horse

[SWE]

So the supplement market is a bit of a minefield, I know calmers can be a bit trial and error but it'd be nice to find a good place to start.

So can anyone recommend a calmer they have had good results from that is a daily calmer rather than an instant one? Would be particularly interested in herbal calmers!

 

[Shay]

The reason you can't find a consistent recommendation is because there isn't one! Save perhaps for non competition legal calmers in which case anything with Valerian in it is effective. But banned in competition. There really is no option but trial and error. Magnesium (oxalate and malate) will only be effective if the overall diet is magnesium deficient. Beyond that it actually acts in the opposite direction. Some have good responses from chamomile based calmers - I like D&H placid for example. There is a pheromone based calmer - although I don't think anyone has reviewed that since launch.

Mostly calmers actualy have an impact on the human - not the horse. If you think he will be calmer you act calmer. Becuase you act calmer he becomes calmer and so on. I have no issues with the effect - if it works - so what. But a gin and tonic would have the same effect and probably be more fun!

 

[Tihamandturkey]

A vote for Dodson & Horrell - I use Stroppy Mare & it makes a massive difference - I didn't realise how much until I nearly ran out last month & put her on iron rations for a couple of days until delivery arrived - OMG she was a nightmare 😱

 

[Michen]

Valerian based is proven to actually work hence not competition legal.

I manage my excitable horse by keeping him brain engaged through lots of activity, everyone thought I’d be nuts to take such a buzzy horse hunting but actually it was the making of him. He keeps a lid on everything by being in plenty of work with lots of varied activity.

At the moment he’s half fit, hasn’t left the yard in 8 weeks and is making up his own entertainment!