how to cope with my horses stress when eventing

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parkbren

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Last season i competed my horse at BE90 level and he became very stressed when at the competition. I am hoping to carry on competing him this season but i would like to prevent him from becoming too stressed.
If anyone one has any advice on how i can help to improve this it would be very much appreicated.
Thanks in advance
 
What does he do? Can you try and avoid whatever it is he does? My last horse got very anxious about the XC so by the end of his career he'd get himself in such a state that I'd literally walk into the XC warm up and he'd have a meltdown which meant spinning in circles and cantering sideways to the point I stopped bothering, I'd take him in the corner of a quiet field and warm up there then try to jump one warm up if possible (twice I couldnt even do that!) and then go. Luckily he was a machine XC so didnt need a jump beforehand but I just had to adapt to try and minimise the explosion!
 
I stated eventing with my 7yo last year and he used to get very stressed out. I now arrive early and either hack him round the show area or just walk him in hand for 20/30 mins. Then I pop him back in the lorry got 30 mins or so and then when I do get back on for the dressage there is nothing new to be frightened of. He usually settles down for the rest of the day (well till the xc warm up but I think that's just healthy excitement!).
 
parkbren said:
He just becomes very tense and reluctant to go forward which is unlike him
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Is this in all phases - or just when he arrives at the event?

Lots of things to try - get there nice and early and spend plenty of time walking him around. Speak to Equifeast, they do super supplements for this sort of situation. Take him to lots and lots of low key horsey events, not just to compete.

How does the stress manifest itself?
 
Have you tried a calmer, I give mine 1/2 a magic instant calmer syringe. And it works really well. You have to play with the dose, a full syringe is too much for mine.
 
Mine get into a routine of coming out the box and grazing in hand before I do anything else and then every time there's a chance between phases they graze again. It's the most natural thing for a horse to do and the best calmer.
Don't worry if he won't settle and eat at first, it takes time for them to let down but once in the routine, it's a brilliant tool
 
i get them really early, give a calmer, graze inhand for ages around the venue and then when i get on I find a quiet area and just open him out with a canter.
 
It always makes me laugh the number of riders who will admit to breaking the rules on here!!!!

'i get them really early, give a calmer,'

,' I give mine 1/2 a magic instant calmer syringe.'
 
I have a really 'hot' type of event horse and I'm afraid the only thing I have found to have worked is a good solid schooling session before we go into the dressage. This can take up to an hour and he will still be fresh for SJ and XC. It's the nature of the beast in my opinion.
 
siennamiller said:
Why is it breaking the rules? The magic calmer is allowed isn't it? ( I hope!?!)
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Extracted from rule book -

Please see below an extract from the BE rulebook relating to the use of herbal or natural medicinal products:-

1. Riders, trainers, grooms and veterinarians are cautioned against the use of herbal medications, tonics, oral pastes and products of any kind, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not known in detail. Many of these products can contain one or more prohibited substances.
2. Persons administering a herbal or so-called natural product to a horse or pony for health reasons or to affect its performance, having been informed that the plant origin of its ingredients do not violate the FEI regulations, may have been misinformed.
3. The use of any herbal or natural product to affect the performance of a horse or pony in a calming (tranquillising) manner or an energising (stimulant) manner is expressly forbidden by the FEI regulations. The use of a calming product during competition may also have important safety consequences.
4. The FEI does not test or approve herbal or natural products to verify a possible violation of the FEI rules and regulations. Therefore a claim that the product does not violate the FEI rules or is undetectable by drug testing is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or individual making such a claim.
5. The use of a herbal or natural product may result in a positive test result, contrary to the claim by the manufacturer or marketing agent. Many prohibited substances (e.g. salicylatels, digitalis, reserpine) have their origin in plants and may be regarded as serious rule violations.
6. As the analytical techniques in the testing laboratory become more refined, the fact that these products have not been detected by testing in the past does not hold any guarantee for their safe use in competition.
 
That is the reason the JP case at Burghley took so long to sort out . They had to admit to breaking the rules to get to the bottom of the bigger issue.

Bullet point 3 above is the crucial one its not the substance that is banned it is the intention in using it!
 
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blackhor2e said:
Extracted from rule book -

Please see below an extract from the BE rulebook relating to the use of herbal or natural medicinal products:-

1. Riders, trainers, grooms and veterinarians are cautioned against the use of herbal medications, tonics, oral pastes and products of any kind, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not known in detail. Many of these products can contain one or more prohibited substances.
2. Persons administering a herbal or so-called natural product to a horse or pony for health reasons or to affect its performance, having been informed that the plant origin of its ingredients do not violate the FEI regulations, may have been misinformed.
3. The use of any herbal or natural product to affect the performance of a horse or pony in a calming (tranquillising) manner or an energising (stimulant) manner is expressly forbidden by the FEI regulations. The use of a calming product during competition may also have important safety consequences.
4. The FEI does not test or approve herbal or natural products to verify a possible violation of the FEI rules and regulations. Therefore a claim that the product does not violate the FEI rules or is undetectable by drug testing is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or individual making such a claim.
5. The use of a herbal or natural product may result in a positive test result, contrary to the claim by the manufacturer or marketing agent. Many prohibited substances (e.g. salicylatels, digitalis, reserpine) have their origin in plants and may be regarded as serious rule violations.
6. As the analytical techniques in the testing laboratory become more refined, the fact that these products have not been detected by testing in the past does not hold any guarantee for their safe use in competition.
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siennamiller, from NAF's website "NAF are pleased to confirm that the magnesium used in Instant Magic does not contravene FEI rules and is safe for use in all horses."
 
EquiEquestrian556 said:
siennamiller, from NAF's website "NAF are pleased to confirm that the magnesium used in Instant Magic does not contravene FEI rules and is safe for use in all horses."
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Its not the magnesium in it that makes it illegal its the intention in using it! Its a catch all rule as in racing.

You email NAF and get them to confirm that giving their calmer at an event is legal you will wait a long time for an answer.

3. The use of any herbal or natural product to affect the performance of a horse or pony in a calming (tranquillising) manner or an energising (stimulant) manner is expressly forbidden by the FEI regulations. The use of a calming product during competition may also have important safety consequences.

Which part of that statement is confusing you and NAF for that matter ofcourse they might not be hiding behind a clever use of words!
 
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popsdosh said:
Its not the magnesium in it that makes it illegal its the intention in using it! Its a catch all rule as in racing.

You email NAF and get them to confirm that giving their calmer at an event is legal you will wait a long time for an answer.
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I don't use NAF calmer when I'm eventing, I was posting it for siennamiller, as that's what NAF have said.
 
blackhor2e said:
Extracted from rule book -

Please see below an extract from the BE rulebook relating to the use of herbal or natural medicinal products:-

1. Riders, trainers, grooms and veterinarians are cautioned against the use of herbal medications, tonics, oral pastes and products of any kind, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not known in detail. Many of these products can contain one or more prohibited substances.
2. Persons administering a herbal or so-called natural product to a horse or pony for health reasons or to affect its performance, having been informed that the plant origin of its ingredients do not violate the FEI regulations, may have been misinformed.
3. The use of any herbal or natural product to affect the performance of a horse or pony in a calming (tranquillising) manner or an energising (stimulant) manner is expressly forbidden by the FEI regulations. The use of a calming product during competition may also have important safety consequences.
4. The FEI does not test or approve herbal or natural products to verify a possible violation of the FEI rules and regulations. Therefore a claim that the product does not violate the FEI rules or is undetectable by drug testing is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or individual making such a claim.
5. The use of a herbal or natural product may result in a positive test result, contrary to the claim by the manufacturer or marketing agent. Many prohibited substances (e.g. salicylatels, digitalis, reserpine) have their origin in plants and may be regarded as serious rule violations.
6. As the analytical techniques in the testing laboratory become more refined, the fact that these products have not been detected by testing in the past does not hold any guarantee for their safe use in competition.
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This might be a thick question as I haven't Competed affiliated for years and don't use a calmer but do BE run under FEI rules then, or do BE have a separate stance on this? And then presumably unaff events which run under BE rules would also follow suit? I thought FEi rules were a bit different to BE in some areas?
 
Oh and to answer the OPs question, I would experiment with getting off the box, being walked round pre dressage, and then have a graze- put back on box for a doze when u get changed, and then getting on for dressage. I'm sure there will be a formula that will sort his head out, it's just trial and error! Good luck :)
 
Very interesting, especially when the NAF magic calmer states this "Magnesium levels can also be reduced by regular travel and competition. Magic is more than just magnesium; it also contains a blend of herbs chosen for their traditional use in supporting confidence and concentration. The unique blend of magnesium and herbal support of Magic enables the horse to tackle all that is asked of it, calmly and confidently.?Note: NAF are pleased to confirm that the magnesium used in Magic does not contravene FEI rules and is safe for use in all horses."

I know it is the competitors responsibility and all, but I think that is very misleading then?
 
Magnesium only works as a calmer if there is a deficiency in the first place. For this, and some other 'calmers' there is a fine line IMHO between 'calmer' and 'feed supplement'. However as per the rule book quote, it's about intention! So I give my horse magnesium daily as it's usually deficient in UK forage which is fine and within the rules, but if I gave it too him on the day of a competition as a 'calmer' then it would not be allowed.

ETA: It would however be almost impossible to prove...
 
The rules refer to calmer and then give tranquilizer in brackets. I would argue that if a substance is not on the prohibited list and merely helps the horse retain its NORMAL composure,then it is not a calmer in the sense that the regulations intend and therefore its use would not be contrary to the word or intent of the regulation. For example I have found that a haynet of nice hay has a calming influence , does anyone really believe that if I give one to a horse to help it chill out,that I have broken this regulation?
 
Mike007 said:
The rules refer to calmer and then give tranquilizer in brackets. I would argue that if a substance is not on the prohibited list and merely helps the horse retain its NORMAL composure,then it is not a calmer in the sense that the regulations intend and therefore its use would not be contrary to the word or intent of the regulation. For example I have found that a haynet of nice hay has a calming influence , does anyone really believe that if I give one to a horse to help it chill out,that I have broken this regulation?
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Keep giving yours a haynet then ;-) but the wording and meaning of the rule is pretty obvious by the way the word in brackets is tranqualizing which was put there to show the effect as energizing was for the stimulating side, I think you are clutching at straws a bit there..I suppose we could go the other way and let riders give whatever they want. The ruling was brought in after a few falls had happened that may have been influenced by the calmers given prior to dressage and nobody knew exactly what is in it. As I mentioned before in a very high profile case it took a very long time before they admitted ever giving the horse a calmer.It only came out as that was where the issue was.
I wish rather than believe what NAF say somebody would ask them the direct question. Will I be breaking the rules of eventing giving my horse your product prior to dressage!
 
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