Horse calmer that actually works?

rowy

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Thinking of putting Dancer back on a horse calmer as shes just hyper quite a lot, particularly at shows and mega mega spooky at shows. But don't know whether to buy the paste you give them before the show or a daily calmer in her feed.
So what works best?
 

Bluejazz

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You need different types of calmer depending on what the issue is....so hard one to answer. BUT if its occasional stress, like going to a show but he's quite the rest of the time, then I'd use a shot like Magic given before you go. If he is stressy all the time then get a longer term / daily product. All horses react slightly differently to them to its a bit trial and error. I've had great success using Trinity Consultants who specialise in equine suppliments - you can call them and talk about the issues and they'll recommend which specific ingredience you need to help the horse.
 

rolls1392

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I tried the Naf Magic shot stuff on my mare.
On the day I gave it there was little or no difference.
Next day she was a complete lunatic, almost unrideable!!
Following day back to normal.
For me the search continues!!!!
 

ScratchyMooMoo

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I have tried loads! I'm not convinced they work that well for my horse, they do space him out a bit and make him loose his sparkle, which is not something I want if I'm competing to be honest. My horse gets worried and anxious rather than excited, in this situation I don't think they help. The best thing I've found to chill him out is repetition! Last year I tried to do as many events as I could in a shorter space of time and it actually helped.

Of the calmers that I tried the best result I had I guess was with Equine America So Kalm plus.
 

spookypony

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In my understanding, a magnesium-based calmer will only work if a horse has a magnesium deficiency to begin with (in which case you should probably be supplementing magnesium). I don't know about the other ones, and how they claim to work!
 

TimmyTippyToes2

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I have recently put my pony on to the Nupafeed liquid calmer and then one syringe on show day. I was very apprehensive about it as i have tried lots of different calmers with no effect as i have been struggling with the same issues when competing. The difference was amazing, no spooking in his tests which he always did and he was alot more chilled in the warm up. The only thing with the daily liquid is that it is a case of getting your measurements right. My pony doesnt really need it daily so he doesnt need to much and also you may have to double the amount a couple of days before a show but it really is a case of trial and error :)
 

Django Pony

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I've had success with D&H Placid (fed everyday) http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/our-feeds/herbs-supplements/behave/placid.html. Just takes the edge off his spooky-ness. If we're doing something exciting, like the first fun ride of the year then I use a Naf Magic syringe. http://www.naf-equine.eu/uk/products/productDetail.jsp?detail_id=instant-magic
It's trial and error though, I started out using Maxacalm http://www.maxavita.com/products/pet/maxacalm/, it did work, but after a couple of weeks Jasper refused to eat it!
 

Shipley

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Had great results relax me. my horse gets really anxious at shows instructor in arena etc and Robert was really helpful had to feed double dose for a while (longer than suggested when I called saying not working) and saw fab results
 

rowy

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Wow lots of different types then! May have to experiment with a few and see which works.
NM- may have a try with that and see if it works!
 

Prince33Sp4rkle

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knowing miss dancer, id say equine america super calm is worth a try-she is same as CS, over reactive, stops thinking etc, and it really did work wonders at the beginning of last year, it absolutes sends him to sleep (in a good way), it DOES knock the sparkle off them a bit, but tbh its worth it as i do think a few shows where they are feeling all calm and happy teaches them not to get worked up in future.
i did 3/4 shows on full dose, then 3/4 on half, and then couple on 1/4 and did last 2 shows on nothing and he was ace :)

lili has it in stock too :)

if you want a daily dose one, ive heard fab things about horse first relax me, and if fig needs something we will be trying that, as he is also a bit of a worrier hyper sort.
 

rowy

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knowing miss dancer, id say equine america super calm is worth a try-she is same as CS, over reactive, stops thinking etc, and it really did work wonders at the beginning of last year, it absolutes sends him to sleep (in a good way), it DOES knock the sparkle off them a bit, but tbh its worth it as i do think a few shows where they are feeling all calm and happy teaches them not to get worked up in future.
i did 3/4 shows on full dose, then 3/4 on half, and then couple on 1/4 and did last 2 shows on nothing and he was ace :)

lili has it in stock too :)

if you want a daily dose one, ive heard fab things about horse first relax me, and if fig needs something we will be trying that, as he is also a bit of a worrier hyper sort.

Thanks! May have a try with this then. She is usally just super stressy the first few shows before she realises she isn't going to die so may be useful to use the super calm until first few shows out the way :) Would keep me sane when competing her as well :p
 

ellie_e

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After trying loads the only thing I've found to work is Equifeast Cool Calm Collected without Any magnesium. I then use optimax with it for competitions
 

Javabb94

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Best results for J were Equifeast cool calm and collected

He was also really good on Globalherbs supercalm

Nupafeed is excellent stuff too

Only ones that didnt work were NAF magic and an equimins one although it depends on the horse and what they are lacking
 

Foxfolly

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Very impressed with the equifeast supplements
My boy is in the winning edge silver and it does take time to get them fully loaded but he is definitely better and more level headed.
I was impressed by all the scientific research into it and how it works, they are really helpfull too as can add or take things out depending on how the horse is reacting.
 

Ali27

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Our Ginger pony is on Equifeast cool, calm and collected. It has taken a while to get the right combination but Marcus at Equifeast has been fab and sent me different products to try FOC. Our new dressage instructor recommended it - ponies flat work has been transformed, she will now hack out on her own and she will be left in field on her own. The only problem we still have is with jumping but the theory is that now she is working properly, her old way of jumping doesn't work so we are going back to basics with grid work. She was also on a field of clover so research on web showed that her potassium levels were probably high which then lowers sodium, magnesium, calcium levels. I started adding salt and a product from New Zealand called Graze Ezy. I think this has helped the cool, calm and collected work too! We are moving yards today so off the clover.
 

Javabb94

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Jesstickle - I think it's magnesium in most, calcium in the Equifeast

I think it's something to do with if grazing lacks these, horses levels will be low, so the calmer brings the level back up - that what Equifeast said. Also something in the Equifeast helps horses analyse things better rather than just spooking
Some have l-trychtophan (Sp.?) in which I use as an extra for J before shows
 
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