NAF Instant Magic - Should I try it?

[3Beasties]

I'm hopefully taking Charlie XC schooling next weekend for the first ever time and am thinking about giving him some Instant Magic before we leave.

He can be difficult to load (will go in OK but tries to shoot out backwards before we get the ramp up) and is quite tricky when I unload him at the other end, I don't think I'll be able to tie him up which makes tacking him up difficult (he won't stand, will be spinning round and/or running backwards)! Once I'm on him though I can usually manage him pretty well.

Do you think Instant Magic will help take the edge off him? Is it safe to jump him after he has taken it?

I don't take him out and about very often, the last time I did was to a fun ride nearly 2 years ago and he was a pain, part of me thinks he will be better this time (he is much happier and more settled in himself) but then do I risk the fact that he may not be?! I would rather he was slightly calmer to make it a more pleasant experience for everyone involved (including my non-horsey parents who have the job of being Chauffeur for the day ).

Thoughts please?

 

[Bertie10]

Sometimes giving them a quick shot of calmer is more pyscological for the rider than anything else, but some do actually work for certain horses & others dont.
Why dont you try one before next weekend and see if it has any effect? He does sound like a calmer would take the edge off. I have tried a few on my gelding & simple brewers yeast has been amazing! You need to see what works for your horse.
Bachs rescue remedy is good for both horse & rider too!
Try & ride the day before & even lunge in the morning if it takes the edge off him.
Is there a horsey friend you could take for some moral support & help?
Good luck!

 

[3Beasties]

The thing is he's quite calm at home so I wouldn't really know if it worked or not if I gave him some in the week, unless I gave him some to see if it made him sleepy?

I think I'll take some Rescue Remedy and I'll make my mum take some as she's worse then the lot of us put together!

I'm planning to take him on a long ride the day before I go and am going to get him ready to travel in the field so he doesn't have time to see the trailer on the yard and think 'oh sh!t she's putting me in that horrible box again!' I'll literally drag him out the field and hopefully straight up the ramp! He's quite clever, he'll load perfectly if the trailer is stood on the yard on it's own but if it's attached to the car he gets really stupid

I would love to have a stress free outing with him, at the moment my parents dread taking me anywhere as it's not 'enjoyable!' hopefully if he behaves I'll be able to do more with him

Not really got any horsey friends close by and I don't think it would help anyway, he hates having to many people around him, it's easier just to try and do it myself (at the fun ride last time he nearly went over backwards as my mum dared to hold his reins whilst I tried to get his saddle on!).

Where I'm going schooling should be much quieter then at the fun ride so I'm hoping that will help!

 

[Maiko]

The NAF Magic Instant is brilliant stuff. I use it for my very hot and sharp youngster, just to take the edge off and chill him ever so slightly. It means that when I take him to a show, he doesn't blow his brains out and get over the top. I know it works, I've experimented with giving it and NOT giving it.

It won't make your horse sleepy; it isn't a sedative!

I give my lad a syringe full when I get to the yard, usually about half an hour before loading, and have found that this works the best for us.

 

[3Beasties]

Thanks Maiko, how big is your lad? Charlie is 16.2hh so would a full syringe be best for him? Or should I start with half a tube?

Is it OK to jump them when they have taken it?

 

[MegaBeast]

Just one word of warning - I used NAF instant magic on my girl at a show last summer to see if she'd be more relaxed for the dressage, she's always been fine to tie up on the trailer and stand around, tack up etc but the naf stuff wound her up good and proper - she was hyper all day and wouldn't stand for anthing! Definitely didn't work, in fact had the opposite effect as the only problem she had was tension in the dressage. However she did jump brilliantly, albeit at a million miles hour. Needless to say I've not touched the stuff since.

However, it is perfectly ok to jump after using it!

 

[3Beasties]

Maybe I should give him some in the week to see if it sends him loopy then, I don't want him any worse then he is

 

[Charlie007]

I have used it and and to be honest I don;t think it really worked!! Just wondered if you could tack up in the trailer to make life easier. If i'm going out I make sure we take the trailer past his stable whilst he is in the field or he knows as soon as he sees it that he is going to a party!! I hide it round the corner, get him in and ready then suprise him!! If anyone else takes their trailer past his stable he doesn't worry at all!! Have fun xc!

 

[Maiko]

Thanks Maiko, how big is your lad? Charlie is 16.2hh so would a full syringe be best for him? Or should I start with half a tube?

Is it OK to jump them when they have taken it?

My lad is an enormous 16.2 Friesian. I don't jump, so can't answer your question, but my boy has been to county shows and dressage clinics after having a syringe full, and didn't lose his expression or alertness, just stopped him stressing.

 

[Walrus]

How far away is the xc course? Could you travel him tacked up so you can just unbox and go at the other end?

Have heard good things about magic in general so worth a go.

 

[3Beasties]

I might travel him in his saddle but I'm worried that will make him play up more when I try and load him Definitely won't travel him in his bridle though as if he catches it slightly he will go mad (look up to nearly going over backwards whilst my mum held the reins tighter then he would have liked ^^^^ )

Might be able to get the bridle on before I unload him though

Someone PLLEEEAASEE remind me why I'm doing this again?!?

 

[Angua2]

I used the NAF instant magic when my mare was struggling with the travelling. I found needed to give it about 1.5 -2 hours before we travelled. It did seem to allow her to hold her head together so that she didn't panic and chuck herself around, and had the secondary effect of allowing her to deal with the dressage warm up. I only needed 4 tubes ( 4 journeys) to allow her to get her head together. I do think there is something in it as I didn't feel the usual warm up panic.

I would give it a go, as at the end of the day you can get individual tubes off e-bay, and you have more to gain.

 

[JessandCharlie]

The problem with magnesium calmers is, (correct me if I'm wrong) they only work if the edginess is being caused by a lack of magnesium. So if your horse is getting all they need in that respect it will do (pardon the pun) naf all! It shouldn't make your horse woozy or drowsy, after-all it isn't a sedative. I take the human form of oxyshot and can vouch for the fact that despite the science behind it not really making sense, it does make a difference!!

 

[3Beasties]

Hummm, interesting point JassandCharlie, how would I know if he was lacking magnesium though?

 

[Maiko]

Hummm, interesting point JassandCharlie, how would I know if he was lacking magnesium though?

Why don't you just buy some and try it?? The syringes costs less than a tenner. If it doesn't work, you haven't spent a lot.

 

[JessandCharlie]

Yes, try some and see! They tend to be atm anyway because of the various minerals in the grass which can affect how the metabolise mag. Oats do the same so may effect absorbtion. But the best way is to try before hand! Xx