ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Has anyone used this. any opinions - good or bad?
Nupafeed liquid calmer
- Thread starter ann-jen
- Start date
amage
Well-Known Member
very good but it i have known it not to work on certain horses but it is definitely worth trying
Scarlett1980
Well-Known Member
I've heard its works on some but not on others. thing is, magnesium based calmers work by treating the problem not removing it in the first place.
if you are feeding a mix or a cube you could try swapping onto a fibre based feed like winergy equilibrium or happy hoof first - this would probably do more good than an expensive calmer!
if you are feeding a mix or a cube you could try swapping onto a fibre based feed like winergy equilibrium or happy hoof first - this would probably do more good than an expensive calmer!
dressagecrazy
Well-Known Member
Have been using Nupafeed for over a year now. Its really effective for my boy. BTW he's also fed SS feeds. The thing with Nupafeed is the quantity varies in every horse & it will only work effectivly if there is a Mag deficency.
Its often cheeper to just try the mag calmer.
Most people give up with Mag calmers before they have even given them time to work, or they dont feed the correct amounts for the horse. Like i say you do have to play with amounts before you find the dose thats right for your horse. There not instant calmers. I also have my other two horses on Mag Ox but the results are no where near as good as with Nupafeed.
Its often cheeper to just try the mag calmer.
Most people give up with Mag calmers before they have even given them time to work, or they dont feed the correct amounts for the horse. Like i say you do have to play with amounts before you find the dose thats right for your horse. There not instant calmers. I also have my other two horses on Mag Ox but the results are no where near as good as with Nupafeed.
sillygillyhorse
Well-Known Member
Absolute bull, you cannot remove the problem that horses cannot store magnesium and in stressful situations it is mag that they burn off!
My eventer is fed on a high fibre diet and still requires a magnesium additive. If a horse is being overfed for the work load it is doing then yes, swapping to a fibre based diet will normally help. You need to know more about the horses work load and current diet to make then make a considered decision as to what is the best course of action.
My eventer is fed on a high fibre diet and still requires a magnesium additive. If a horse is being overfed for the work load it is doing then yes, swapping to a fibre based diet will normally help. You need to know more about the horses work load and current diet to make then make a considered decision as to what is the best course of action.
Scarlett
Well-Known Member
yup - you cant stop a horse having a lack of magnesium any other way than giving them magnesium! I feed Magic spring and autumn when grass is coming through as it obviously affects them, plus a bit extra for stressy situations.
I sold a horse who last year i had on magnesium calmer, he is still at my yard and his new owner hasnt put him on anything, he has gone loopy to the point he is dangerous to handle, but she won't spend money on it....
I sold a horse who last year i had on magnesium calmer, he is still at my yard and his new owner hasnt put him on anything, he has gone loopy to the point he is dangerous to handle, but she won't spend money on it....
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all your replies.
My horse is out during the day and in at night. She gets haylage at night. She gets a handful of Happy Hoof in the morning and 1 scoop Happy Hoof, 1/2 scoop cool mix and 1/2 scoop competition mix on a night.
Exercise wise she is ridden 6-7 times a week for 40-60 minutes - schooling - I work her quite hard.
The problem I have (if you have read my previous post - I apologise for repeating myself) is that Jenny is very laid back on the flat but very tense and anxious when jumping. My dressage instructor would like me to increase her hard feed because ATM she can work nicely for about 40 minutes and then runs out of steam and just seems to generally lack energy. As far as the jumping goes, there is a long story behind her behaviour - but there is now no physical reason for her behaviour but she still carries a lot of "emotional baggage" where jumping is concerned. One day she will jump nice and calmly and the next day she might be tense and rushing. My jumping instructor (BSJA accredited) suggested trying Nupafeed to try to help with this.
I was concerned using a calmer might make her even more laid back on the flat but on speaking to the nupafeed rep she assures me it won't as it doesn't work to 'dope' her but to reduce the adrenaline rise - which sounds ideal in theory but it would be nice to hear that someone in a similar situation had tried it and found it worked.
My horse is out during the day and in at night. She gets haylage at night. She gets a handful of Happy Hoof in the morning and 1 scoop Happy Hoof, 1/2 scoop cool mix and 1/2 scoop competition mix on a night.
Exercise wise she is ridden 6-7 times a week for 40-60 minutes - schooling - I work her quite hard.
The problem I have (if you have read my previous post - I apologise for repeating myself) is that Jenny is very laid back on the flat but very tense and anxious when jumping. My dressage instructor would like me to increase her hard feed because ATM she can work nicely for about 40 minutes and then runs out of steam and just seems to generally lack energy. As far as the jumping goes, there is a long story behind her behaviour - but there is now no physical reason for her behaviour but she still carries a lot of "emotional baggage" where jumping is concerned. One day she will jump nice and calmly and the next day she might be tense and rushing. My jumping instructor (BSJA accredited) suggested trying Nupafeed to try to help with this.
I was concerned using a calmer might make her even more laid back on the flat but on speaking to the nupafeed rep she assures me it won't as it doesn't work to 'dope' her but to reduce the adrenaline rise - which sounds ideal in theory but it would be nice to hear that someone in a similar situation had tried it and found it worked.
sillygillyhorse
Well-Known Member
It is worth a try, dont be put off by the cost, it is a big outlay all in one go but the cost per dose is actually less than other leading well known powder suppliments!
I find that the nupafeed keeps my horses on a more consistent level, it also undoubtedly helps their concentration. In more stressful situations I feel it helps them to "listen" to me more and they are therefore much more rideable. My younger horse was coming out to work some days he was chilled and very switched on to me, other days he would easily become distracted then get worried, he has started on Nupafeed and his flatwork has been much more consistent allowing me to progress his education.
I find that the nupafeed keeps my horses on a more consistent level, it also undoubtedly helps their concentration. In more stressful situations I feel it helps them to "listen" to me more and they are therefore much more rideable. My younger horse was coming out to work some days he was chilled and very switched on to me, other days he would easily become distracted then get worried, he has started on Nupafeed and his flatwork has been much more consistent allowing me to progress his education.
Scarlett1980
Well-Known Member
That may be because mixes are instant energy sources and not stamina improving. I really believe you would be better off putting her on a slow release feed like spillers slow release cubes or winergy equilibrium medium energy. Both of these are very low starch, high fibre and oil
I know the winergy ones have lots of research behind them that proves they promote positive behaviour and they have really worked fro mine x
I know the winergy ones have lots of research behind them that proves they promote positive behaviour and they have really worked fro mine x
sillygillyhorse
Well-Known Member
Do you work for Spillers?
cheeky girl
Well-Known Member
*whistles quietly I have half a 5 litre tub going spare if anyone wants to buy it
*CG runs before being told off for advertising*
*CG runs before being told off for advertising*
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Mrs T - thanks - from what the rep said it will be quite expensive for the first few days - when she's on the loading dose but I don't think it works out too expensive on a daily basis once we've got past that stage. I certainly think it might be worth a try - at best it might make her a bit less anxious and at worst it might make no difference. The jumping issues are mainly a schooling problem which we are working really hard on and when she's chilled she goes really well but if she's getting tense and anxious I feel like we are on a downward spiral and it gets to a point where its difficult to get any sense from her. I'm hoping the calmer will stop or reduce that downward spiral of anxiety.
Scarlett1980 - thanks for your advice - you are probably right in the feeding regime may not be ideal - however we are on a livery yard where we have little say in the feeds that are provided. I tried cutting her back to where she was just on hay/haylage and Happy Hoof but it made absolutely no difference to the jumping situation which has been caused by a previous back problem and a lot of anxiety regarding memories of back pain. When she was on Happy Hoof alone she was really hard work on the flat and so the yard manager (after some persuasion) started to give her cool mix - which just made her fat and no more energetic.
Since she has had a small amount of competition mix - and I really don't think 1/2 a scoop is excessive for the work she does - the dressage has really picked up and it hasn't had an adverse effect on the jumping. I would love her to be on a tailor made diet that suited her but think I have no chance of the YM ordering a diet in just for her. Maybe it would be worth me adding an oil supplement in to add to her stamina? I totally agree with you that a low carb, high fibre diet is best for fizzy horses but I think Jenny is naturally quite lazy and only gets sharp when anxious rather than being overfed.
PS - Mrs T - Jen and I went for a hack round the Nicholson estate on Monday - I think you said on another post you used to keep a horse there - I'd never been before but wow what a great place for a ride. I had a really nice day out.
Scarlett1980 - thanks for your advice - you are probably right in the feeding regime may not be ideal - however we are on a livery yard where we have little say in the feeds that are provided. I tried cutting her back to where she was just on hay/haylage and Happy Hoof but it made absolutely no difference to the jumping situation which has been caused by a previous back problem and a lot of anxiety regarding memories of back pain. When she was on Happy Hoof alone she was really hard work on the flat and so the yard manager (after some persuasion) started to give her cool mix - which just made her fat and no more energetic.
PS - Mrs T - Jen and I went for a hack round the Nicholson estate on Monday - I think you said on another post you used to keep a horse there - I'd never been before but wow what a great place for a ride. I had a really nice day out.
mellissa
Well-Known Member
Hello there,
Going to sound like I am teaching you to suck eggs but have you checked her health to ensure all is working well- i.e the stamina?
I only say this because on Thursday my Vet came out to do routine dentistry on my 17.2 Belgian Warmblood show jumper and found his heart was missing a bit. An ECG confirmed Atrial Fibrillation. I had no idea- he has been jumping double clear foxhunter classes.
The vet said he will be limited in his jumping unless he has really nasty pharmacological treatment to correct it. Which is happening next week. He looks great and this must have happened out of the blue within the last six months.
All I am saying is I am shocked about my horse- you would never know. If your horse has a lack of stamina after a certain length of time working please get its heart listened to. This is very common apparently.
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Going to sound like I am teaching you to suck eggs but have you checked her health to ensure all is working well- i.e the stamina?
I only say this because on Thursday my Vet came out to do routine dentistry on my 17.2 Belgian Warmblood show jumper and found his heart was missing a bit. An ECG confirmed Atrial Fibrillation. I had no idea- he has been jumping double clear foxhunter classes.
The vet said he will be limited in his jumping unless he has really nasty pharmacological treatment to correct it. Which is happening next week. He looks great and this must have happened out of the blue within the last six months.
All I am saying is I am shocked about my horse- you would never know. If your horse has a lack of stamina after a certain length of time working please get its heart listened to. This is very common apparently.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Mellissa - sorry to hear about your lad - I guess he'll be going in for quinidine treatments for the AF. Hope it all goes well for you both.
Don't worry about Jen - she is definitely in good health (I'm a vet - although ATM mainly deal with smaller critters). I do have to be very careful with her back - she gets regular physio, carrot stretches and massage to keep that as supple as possible.
I have to say the scientist in me is very skeptical that the nupafeed will work but the horse owner part of me thinks it'll do no harm to try it. I do try to be open minded and won't be surprised if it doesn't work but will be over the moon if it does. I am awaiting the science info from the company.
Don't worry about Jen - she is definitely in good health (I'm a vet - although ATM mainly deal with smaller critters). I do have to be very careful with her back - she gets regular physio, carrot stretches and massage to keep that as supple as possible.
I have to say the scientist in me is very skeptical that the nupafeed will work but the horse owner part of me thinks it'll do no harm to try it. I do try to be open minded and won't be surprised if it doesn't work but will be over the moon if it does. I am awaiting the science info from the company.
Scarlett1980
Well-Known Member
ha ha Mrs T
No, just happen to believe that nutrition is important and spend a lot of my time reading/researching new things. Think people are too quick to look for quick fixes these days like calmers, gadgets and the likes when what they are feeding is more often than not inappropriate.
also, i don't recomend things i haven't used myself and when i find something that works think it is only fair to share it with everyone.
if anyone form spillers is reading this and would like to give me a job tho i'd be more than happy!
No, just happen to believe that nutrition is important and spend a lot of my time reading/researching new things. Think people are too quick to look for quick fixes these days like calmers, gadgets and the likes when what they are feeding is more often than not inappropriate.
also, i don't recomend things i haven't used myself and when i find something that works think it is only fair to share it with everyone.
if anyone form spillers is reading this and would like to give me a job tho i'd be more than happy!
sillygillyhorse
Well-Known Member
Just wondered as you seem very keen on only branded products. I am of the old school and from an age when compound feeds only existed in the form of horse and pony nuts, I am not convinced modern feeding is actually the way forward. Too much refined sugar and barley in everything. We only used to feed fresh chaff with freshly nipped oats, molasses was only added to tempt a horse who was off colour and the point to pointers had Convital added plus a cup of milk made up with pure milk powder with no additives(not the cattle feed one). We never had horses with colic despite them being in 24/7 and working hard. Guess the reason being that their diet was actually a fibre based one!
After all the horse evolved over thousand of years but the compound feeds we now use are very "new"! Do agree though that correct vitamins and minerals are needed and a balanced diet, just like us really.
After all the horse evolved over thousand of years but the compound feeds we now use are very "new"! Do agree though that correct vitamins and minerals are needed and a balanced diet, just like us really.
squirtlysmum
Well-Known Member
I've fed it to my boy for a number of months and although I initially saw an improvement in his behaviour he appears to be slowly becoming used to it and is still a nut, when it runs out I'll stop it and see whether it still affects him.
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
I'm hoping that I would only have to use it temporarily until my schooling starts to pay off and she realises that she doesn't need to be anxious about jumping anymore. Jumped her tonight after work and she was as good as gold. The last time she was a nightmare! No rhyme or reason with her.
I'd be interested to hear how your horse goes after you stop it so please let me know.
I'd be interested to hear how your horse goes after you stop it so please let me know.
Scarlett1980
Well-Known Member
Actually, the new winergy ones are fibre based and some of them have no cereal starch at all - I guess like everything these things come full circle!
mellissa
Well-Known Member
Hello Ann- you can be most certain she can be in best of health then!
He is going for treatment on Tuesday but I am really worried about it. I thought I had better put a post as a heart problem was something that I had never thought would happen to my boy- until last Thursday he had been jumping is heart out.
Good luck with Jen hope it all works out for you
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He is going for treatment on Tuesday but I am really worried about it. I thought I had better put a post as a heart problem was something that I had never thought would happen to my boy- until last Thursday he had been jumping is heart out.
Good luck with Jen hope it all works out for you
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ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Good Luck for Tuesday - I hope it all goes well for you both.
ISHmad
Well-Known Member
How about trying Simple System feeds? They are all fibre based and they have products suitable for everything from a Shetland to a racehorse. I feed my ISH good doer their very basic chaff Lucie Stalks with his Top Spec Anti Lam. I use Mag Ox as a calmer and it also is very beneficial to horse's feet as well apparently.
Have heard mixed reports regarding Nupafeed - it either seems to work brilliantly or not at all! But then I guess you can say that about most things...
Have heard mixed reports regarding Nupafeed - it either seems to work brilliantly or not at all! But then I guess you can say that about most things...
teapot
Well-Known Member
Old share pony was on it when I had him. Only extra food he got bar his grazing was a haynet at night - no hard feed at all.
I noticed a slight difference but not a huge amount. Think he was just generally a fit, semi-testosterone filled (was gelded very very late) welsh c really.
It certainly helped with the owners' other pony, he chilled out quite a lot on it
Would certainly try it
I noticed a slight difference but not a huge amount. Think he was just generally a fit, semi-testosterone filled (was gelded very very late) welsh c really.
It certainly helped with the owners' other pony, he chilled out quite a lot on it
Would certainly try it