Showjumping and Defuse calmer
- Thread starter Queenbee
- Start date
kinnygirl1
Well-Known Member
This ^^^
I think tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid anyway so isn't it just like using a magnesium based calmer, in that you are just topping up something the body is short of? The packaging will tell you if its banned I think in any case.
OP in answer to your original question, I think I would take him to the show calmer free, do the jump classes then give him the calmer before the showing as you know it works fast on your boy. Maybe just half a tube and see how you go. Perhaps give the wh a miss this time if you don't want to give him the calmer before a jump class. That's my thoughts anyway..... Good luck at the show.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Thank you
and yes it is a naturally occuring amino acid as far as I understand. Obviously, Im still very undecided as to what to do, although I did jump him tonight over an oxer and a tripple bar with no ground pole, I was super impressed with him, having a slightly more challenging jump really makes him check himself and he rides so much better for it - so that was pleasing! When I walked the SJ course I was a bit heart in mouth, its really robust and in your face, however, I have to keep reminding myself that these type of jumps are the better for ben, he behaved like an absolute star today in practice. On the subject of LT, Ive just found this, Ive briefly scanned it but it looks a really interesting read - i intend to go back and have a proper read of it later but thought there may be some people on here that would be interested in reading this
http://www.stanceequine.co.uk/annou...-the-excitable-horse-a-review-of-l-tryptophan
FlyingCircus
Well-Known Member
Apologies if you think I'm being patronising, but in my horsey experience I've always set mine up to succeed.
By that, if I had your horse, I mean I'd probably just take him to do the WH class and even then only if he was chilled out before the class, otherwise I would just get home.
And yes, a 45 min hack there, 14 or however many jumps, then 6 jumps and a show, an in hand class and then the 45 min hack seems like LOADS for a (just turned?) 6 year old.
I appreciate he's yours to do as you like with...but I also can't comprehend how you don't see that without the flatwork being up to par, he's probably not using himself properly over jumps and around a course anyway.
By that, if I had your horse, I mean I'd probably just take him to do the WH class and even then only if he was chilled out before the class, otherwise I would just get home.
And yes, a 45 min hack there, 14 or however many jumps, then 6 jumps and a show, an in hand class and then the 45 min hack seems like LOADS for a (just turned?) 6 year old.
I appreciate he's yours to do as you like with...but I also can't comprehend how you don't see that without the flatwork being up to par, he's probably not using himself properly over jumps and around a course anyway.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Well, I suppose its because the numerous people I know, who are very experienced who see him jumping regularly think he is doing fantastically well at that.
I too set my horse up to succeed, hence I am utilising a calmer to help him have the best most relaxed experience possible. Some horses dont handle shows well, my mare would be a nutter if you wanted to just walk her around, infact her first show, this was the plan but she kept bouncing to the practice jump, so we did a clear round and she chilled instantly. It is a case of knowing ones horse and what is the best way of dealing with that individual horse. It may not be how you would do it, but it is what I know will work best for ben. after the WH (so about 10.30, he goes to his old yard to a stable with hay and hrs to chill then comes back for the last class of the day. He is so fit, and can does three rounds when showjumping and would happily do a fourth if i let him. by the end of the day he will be fresh as a daisy to do a little showing class. However, the jury is still out on that class, I may go home after the WH, the weather isnt set to be great - I am all for playing things by ear on the day.
I would also say that if I were to take him to do a xc course he would exspend a lot more energy than he will at the show, many people go out and do a xc round and the pairs, so im very confident in his ability to cope with the three classes if we do all three, if I was not I would not be doing it!
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YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
The decision is yours, as my opinion is mine. If you don't want people to comment adversly on your plans then a public forum, is perhaps the wrong place to discuss them.
frannieuk
Well-Known Member
Wasn't going to comment, but just wanted to say that, in my experience, the physical fitness isn't so much of an issue with novice horses - it's the brain fade they experience when they get mentally tired from being out and about. Quite often, they do start to boil over when they're mentally saturated, and my opinion is very much that using a calmer to suppress the reaction is not as good as working through the issue. Just my opinion, and good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
To be honest, whatever the comments - I really couldnt give a fig, I just find it incredible, if I were to ask the question in person, I would get a straight answer. On here so many people want to bang their drums, it almost seems like if you dont try to run someone down and say 'oh, I wouldn't do that', you dont look like you know anything. Its a silly frame of mind. People are so quick to judge about horses and owners they know nothing about, ive seen it so many times on here, its a shame that this behavior somehow makes people better about themselves.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
What a strange attitude to have towards people who happen to disagree with you, I would have said the same in perwon.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
well then personally I would respect you more for the fact that you would have that level of conviction. Sadly many do not. However, many also have the respect to answer the question being asked (if they can). Its not a strange attitude to have to people who disagree with me, as I said, I have seen it many times on here - its a culture that has developed on this forum, it doesnt matter whether it is me or someone else posing the question, its an attitude I have about the responses people get - not just me.
FlyingCircus
Well-Known Member
As you've said before, he's your horse...but lots of people seem to have differing values and opinions to you. Just because they share them doesn't mean they have a poor attitude. By posting, you're opening yourself up for comments. Especially considering you post regularly about your horse's progress. Even in real life, I'd happily question your logic over the amount of work and type when I know from your other updates where he's at in terms of flatwork (well, know what you've said and from the pics/vids you've shared!).
I don't think for one minute anyone is out to just disagree with you for the sake of it. Instead, people with experience are sharing their opinions most likely to stop you falling into mistakes they've made/seen made before. I'm sure many of us have seen overcooked youngsters that were given too much mentally to handle too soon. You of course know your boy the best, but even with the best brain in the world it is a lot of stimulation for 1 horse in 1 day at just 6 years old.
I'm certainly not here to pick a fight and I'm sure the majority of others would agree. We all just want what's best for the horse(s) we hear about.
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
I've read all the comments on here and I don't read any of them as people wanting to bang their drums. I suspect that you haven't had a straight answer because the people who have commented haven't jumped after giving the calmer you mention, but rather than just ignore your post they have explained why they haven't/wouldn't. One of the nice things about the forum is that people throw in all sorts of ideas and opinions that the poster may not have thought about but which might help, and threads often wander away from the subject in very interesting ways.
And actually.....well you did ask for thoughts as well as experiences
Auslander
Well-Known Member
Perhaps, judging by the reaction you have already had whilst using it, this is not the right calmer to be considering. I've tried many, and the two that I have noticed a difference with are Step-free (Hack-up), which won't be an option as its mail order only, and you won't get it on time, or Confidence EQ, which you shold be able to get in your local tackshop. Both are competition legal, and I have found both to be excellent at knocking the silliness on the head, without affecting performance.
mastermax
Well-Known Member
I would probably take him in the morning, do whatever class it is and then take him home. It would seem an awful lot for him to cope with to then go back again in the afternoon. I'm not saying thats what you should do merely what I would do.
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I can't believe the reaction you've had to be honest. The calmer market is huge so clearly you aren't the only person using one!! Classic example of a thread on this forum that just explodes for no apparent reason! It's an odd place!
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
I've sent you an PM, OP.
emmah
Well-Known Member
Don't worry its not always an age thing!! my now 9 year old is still a wild child and hasn't changed since she was 4.....before anyone jumps on me she was produced by a professional event rider and I have lessons every week with a top BS instructor! I found that the one off calmers didn't work for my girl and moved her onto the NAF Magic in her daily feed and found that has certainly taken the edge off her. Good luck at your show and I hope your boy is nice and calm whatever you try