Which Calmer? Anyone have any experience?

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LiffWee93

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I am just curious as to everyone's success rates with various over-the-counter calmers- i am after something that will take the edge off my boy so i can finish clipping him, and don't really want to get him sedated for a job that will take 10-15 minutes (if he will stand still)- so if anyone will help with any positive feedback for any of the over-the-counter calmers - NAF magic, valerian, oxyshot, supercalm instant etc - just as a oneoff, instant(ish) job. Many thanks in advance!!
 
the syringe one? how much of it did you give ? thankyou for your reply, i am leaning towards that one as he has had it before in his previous home and it took the edge off him.. :)
 
I have always had good success with Equine America's So Kalm paste. Granted I have never used it to clip I have used it on exracera for their first jaunts into the showing world.
 
I always use the magic syringe stuff for clipping.

My mare is very fidgety and not a fan of the noise of clippers and doesn't really let me get near here with them on a normal day. One full syringe (she's 15.2hh shire x TB) takes the edge off her enough to clip her all over including face.

So I would highly recommend it, works on my friends horses too!

:)
 
The problem with calmers is that what will work for some, won't work for others - it's very trial and error. I'm yet to find one that works for my mare, the Blue Chip one had a slight effect (but she was double dosed and it didn't last long - may have been total coincidence!!), I've heard good things about nupafeed and oxyshot.
I personally had no success with the Magic calmer but have heard lots of positive stories with it, so if you know it's worked for him in his past home then personally that would be the one I'd try - good luck! x
 
thankyou everyone for your kind replies! ill try the magic calmer syringes, and shove a whole tube down him :) anyone who has used it, how long did it take to start making an effect? (if at all) i really appreciate all your help! :D
 
Tempralax has good press, but all the over the counter stuff is hit and miss.

I would be more inclined to ask the vet for a few acp and get the clipping done with a settled horse.
 
Just from my own experience with a warmblood and a thoroughbred I found that NAF Magic took a few days to start to work but once it kicked in it was really good. I used the supercalm instant at a show with the warmblood who is SUPER nervous and found it didn't have any real effect. The oxyshot, however, worked brilliantly and it's the one I would recommend for a one off shot.
hope that helps x
 
I've used Scultellaria from Natural Horse supplies on my TB and he was soooo calm off it but then tried it on my friends shire x TB and it had no effect.

I just added 2 of the small tabs to a hand full of mix and he gobbled it up, i've not used it for a while now but when i first took him in the trailer to shows on his own it just settled him a little, it took away the panic factor!
 
I know you said you didn't want to sedate, but agree with whoever said calmers are quite trial and error depending on the horse...could you not pick up a tube of Sedalin from your vets which would take the edge off him to clip? Just a thought...
 
TBH I think most "calmers" work more on the owners than the horses (in that the owners expect a reaction from the horses and so proceed with more confidence). For any real effect, just use a sedative like ACP.
 
Thanks everyone, i only want it "just in case" for the final tidying up, ive done the rest of it without sedation so far, but i just thought it may be easier to try a little calmer, and if it doesnt work, ho-hum, if i really need to ill get some acp or sedalin :) thankyou again
 
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