Calming supplements? Help???
I'm having a really tough time with my new horse (he's not really that unsullied, I got him in August...). He is a 6 year old OTTB, and have never been ridden through a winter, and he's just getting to be too much for me to handle. He be great over the summer, but I fell off and got a concussion about 3 weeks ago, so I draw from nervous when he acts up. My parents think I'm crazy for keeping him, but I love him so much and I don't know what else to do...
I be looking in to a calming supplement, but before I start him on anything, I be wondering if you could inform me on them... Side affects, the best ones, what to look for, what to avoid, any personal stories (good or bad) involving them. Thanks in advance.
I was contained by your same boat when I bought my current gelding about 18 months ago. He is just naturally rather nervous to pretty nervous about some things which can be dicey at times. While I do not recommend supplementation unless necessary - because it does not help if the horse is not trained properly at most minuscule in this case with sedative supplements, I was recommended by my vet to feed a calming supplement to him as needed. I nurture SmartCalm during the warmer months if necessary and use SmartCalmUltra during the colder months. Both are clearly fine for competing purposes for me or daily schooling as they calm him done but are natural, do not get him drowsy like some calming supplements can, and he - the picky eater- will actually devour it.
Anyhow, be careful picky out which calming supplement you use as you do not want him to get too much of consistent vitamins and minerals in his diet.
Here is a website to look at a good deal of comforting supplements and compare them as well: http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductCom...
Best of Luck!
I have heard that vitamin B works upright to "take the edge off". Just try 4 B vitamins and he should calm down. It is also worthy for traveling it calms their nerves a bit.
My friend gives it to her horse before a show and after and he seem to be much better on it and its not drugs. So its not bad for them.
I hope that helped.
Answers: OTTBs immensely likely have a few issues going on.
Start with a biddable B supplement. I like Thia Cal from Finish Line. Keep in mind you wont' see a benefit unless your horse is not up to scratch in B, but most horses will benefit from the B supplementation.. B is good for respiratory health, as economically as nervous system health. There is no risk of overdose, and no side effects, to my knowledge. I've used it for the recent past 3 years; it's the only thing that reliably makes a difference on my guy.
You may craving to look into Quiessence. It's a Magnesium and Chromium formula that's usually of more benefit to insulin resistant type horses (ie: easy keepers who tend to be over bulk... most likely NOT your TB)
Second, you want to check into the possibility your horse has ulcer. Ulcers can make a horse act 'high' and excitable, difficult to control. Ulcers are common surrounded by OTTBs due to the stresses they live with on the track; and ulcers do not spontaneously heal. Again, I believe within a Finish Line product called U-7. You can use this as prescribed, and if by the end of the first month, you see a difference it may be worth your while to enjoy your vet perform a gastroscopy.
Lastly, look at the horse's diet. Think high fat, low carbs. Eliminate corn from your horse's diet, steering more toward alfalfa products. Yuo can boost the curvy by adding cocosoya oil. Stay away from corn grease.. carbs and all. What you're trying to do is mimic the diet for an EPSM horse.. see this website for details.
http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/...
Good luck.
I use Calm & Cool pelleted stuff on my Arabian gelding. I absolutely love it and haven't found any side effects. It comes in a 48 daytime supply and you give them two scoops a day. It have the best effects if you give one scoop near the morning feed and one scoop with the evening nurture. Give him a week or more and you will notice a significant difference in his attitude. Just pass it some time before you think it's not working. Other stuff I've tried and found it hasn't worked so all right. Also, I believe putting some lavender in their feed will help.
Here's the relation for it.
http://www.horse.com/Horse-Supplements/C...
