Lincoln Herbs Valerian Cordial vs Science Supplements Prokalm

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SGElse

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My horse tends to have an excitable edge, nothing dangerous but does need some help thinking at times. I put him on Valerian and it has worked a treat but i cant see it is recommended for long term use or any scientific evidence. I have bought some Science Supplements Prokalm as its highly recommended but i'm thinking do i change him or leave him on Valerian if its working? Wondered if anyone had advice.
 
As above. I did have one on long-term valerian. In the end I admitted that I was never going to provide the home she needed to be comfortable without it, and rehomed her. No need of it now in her permanent loan home. Current horse has the Equimins calmer as she finds life quite scary. I have a theory though and am hoping to wean her off it as it seems odd to have one that needs it mostly for non-work situations! She needs to develop her own confidence, not rely on mine... Valerian is commonly available for humans as a night-time sleeping aid...
 
vhf said:
As above. I did have one on long-term valerian. In the end I admitted that I was never going to provide the home she needed to be comfortable without it, and rehomed her. No need of it now in her permanent loan home. Current horse has the Equimins calmer as she finds life quite scary. I have a theory though and am hoping to wean her off it as it seems odd to have one that needs it mostly for non-work situations! She needs to develop her own confidence, not rely on mine... Valerian is commonly available for humans as a night-time sleeping aid...
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I put him on Valerian as I understood it was the only thing to work but I don’t think he needs it to this extreme. I was thinking about changing to ProKalm but was thinking about the ‘if it’s nots broke don’t fix it’ so trying to decide what to do for the best!! I’m working on his confidence in the meantime I just need something in the interim but don’t want to keep changing what he has!!
 
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SGElse said:
I put him on Valerian as I understood it was the only thing to work but I don’t think he needs it to this extreme. I was thinking about changing to ProKalm but was thinking about the ‘if it’s nots broke don’t fix it’ so trying to decide what to do for the best!! I’m working on his confidence in the meantime I just need something in the interim but don’t want to keep changing what he has!!
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I'm pretty sure that like most things equine (OK, life generally) that what works for one won't necessarily be right for another. You can go down a right rabbit-hole with all the options out there, the various marketing and etc. The number 1 consideration with valerian is that you can't compete on it. You kind of think if it's banned, then pharmacologically speaking, people must believe it has an action. After that, you go down the herbal/not, magnesium/cheleted calcium/other base, etc. etc. I've never been a fan of 'calmers'; kind of half-felt they're more for the owner than the horse, or used in lieu of more approriate management. In my two cases they have had a place and I've no doubt other makes have been equally approriate for other people.
 
I used Valerian on my horse who used to get crazy silly over winter. The cordial had absolutely zero effect. I thought valerian root helped. I also mixed it with Chamomile and vervain though so it coud have been the combo of all.
 
Sorry for reviving an old thread. Seemed better than starting a new one.
My horse struggles with the change of season. He’s always sharper when it drops cold and with the late grass flush he’s been a bit ummm unfocused.
I’ve never really had a good result with calmers. Tried pro calm and nothing.
As we aren’t competing I decided to try valerian root. Had a clinic 7 days ago so put him on it for 3 days prior. I didn’t think it did anything really, he was super sharp to hack prior and the clinic was at a new venue and he was hot but managed to keep a lid on things.
I took him off it as decided it wasn’t doing a fat lot. I went off to a venue hire today and just decided for the sake of it to put some in his breakfast.
Different horse today. Normally a new busy venue would result in a lack of focus and being sharp. Completely chilled, super focused and on side.
So now I’m confused. Is it
A) he respond better to a one off dose when needed rather than building up.
B) coincidence 😂.
 
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