Feed Through Calming Supplements for Horses

Calmers
Horse supplements

Some calmers for horses are instant or fast-acting — often in paste-form and administered via a large syringe into the horse's mouth — while other equine calming supplements take time to build up in your horse's system, which are more likely to be in powder or liquid form. They all have the same overall aim of reducing acute stress and overall anxiety, which should allow your horse to learn better and have a lower risk of stress-related disease.

Any change of routine can bring new stresses with it. In these situations, a calmer can help to "take the edge off", leaving you with a more relaxed horse that may be safer to handle.

Despite lots of anecdotal evidence to support their effectiveness, there is limited scientific research into how calmers and their active ingredients work in horses. Popular ingredients include:

magnesium, which is thought to produce an anxiety-reducing effect
tryptophan — a building block of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter associated with lower levels of stress
valerian, which is thought to reduce anxiety

If you compete with your horse then it is important you make sure any supplements you use do not contain any prohibited substances.

Calmers for horses: what are your options?

Here is a selection of the best calmers for horses that are currently available, including the manufacturers' descriptions of their products…

NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some horses will require a higher dose, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.

TopSpec Calmer

This calmer is suitable for horses demonstrating anxious behaviour, particularly those that cannot cope with stressful situations such as showing, travelling or competing. It contains a pure protected yeast, MOS, B vitamins, magnesium, tryptophan and sepiolite clay.

View TopSpec Calmer at viovet.co.uk
View TopSpec Calmer at amazon.co.uk
View TopSpec Calmer at equus.co.uk
View TopSpec Calmer at naylors.com
View TopSpec Calmer at rideawaystore.com

Hilton Herbs Calm & Collected Gold

A liquid supplement containing herbs, such as chamomile and valerian, to help maintain a healthy nervous system in horses of all ages. Also available as a powder.

View Hilton Herbs Calm & Collected Gold at viovet.co.uk
View Hilton Herbs Calm & Collected Gold at amazon.co.uk
View Hilton Herbs Calm & Collected Gold at equus.co.uk

NAF Five Star Magic

This supplement contains herbs and bio-available magnesium, which are known to help reduce anxiety, support concentration and learning. It has been independently trialled, showing a reduction in anxiety with no sedation. BETA Innovation Award Winner, 2019. Also available in liquid form.

View NAF Five Star Magic at viovet.co.uk
View NAF Five Star Magic at amazon.co.uk

Feedmark Steady-Up

This calming supplement settles nervous tension while aiding your horse's concentration and focus, and has a soothing effect on behaviour to help reduce spookiness.

View Feedmark Steady-Up at viovet.co.uk
View Feedmark Steady-Up at rideawaystore.com
View Feedmark Steady-Up at amazon.co.uk

Equine America Super So-Kalm powder

This calmer provides three key micronutrients to help the horse to maintain a calm outlook and concentrate on his work — magnesium, calcium and vitamin B1. Also available as a syringe paste.

View Equine America Super So-Kalm powder at equine-america.co.uk
View Equine America Super So-Kalm powder at viovet.co.uk
View Equine America Super So-Kalm powder at amazon.co.uk

Global Herbs SuperCalm

This highly concentrated calming herbal mix helps to reduces nervousness and winter excitability. A powerful natural antioxidant, it improves focus to assist with training and performance. It is also available in liquid and syringe paste form.

View Global Herbs SuperCalm at viovet.co.uk
View Global Herbs SuperCalm at amazon.co.uk
View Global Herbs SuperCalm at naylors.com
View Global Herbs SuperCalm at equus.co.uk
View Global Herbs SuperCalm at globalherbs.co.uk

Audevard Zzen

This formula is aimed at anxious horses and encourages concentration. It contains magnesium, tryptophan, vitamins B1 and B6. Also available in syringe form.

View Audevard Zzen at viovet.co.uk
View Audevard Zzen at amazon.co.uk

Aviform Equable

This calmer is suitable for nervous, excitable or highly strung horses as it soothes and helps promote focus for training and competing. Also available in a 100% compostable pouch.

View Aviform Equable at amazon.co.uk

Blue Chip Karma

This supplement contains a form of magnesium that can be quickly absorbed into the blood stream, and L-tryptophan, which is included as it is a pre-cursor for serotonin, the "feel-good" hormone.

View Blue Chip Karma at viovet.co.uk
View Blue Chip Karma at amazon.co.uk
View Blue Chip Karma at equus.co.uk
View Blue Chip Karma at rideaway.co.uk

Equine Products Cool It

Form: Syringe paste | Sizes: 30g | RRP: £5.24 |

Containing L-trytophan, magnesium, vitamin B1 and a probiotic, this supplement is useful in stressful situations, such as fireworks. There is no withdrawal period so is ideal for competition horses. Also available in powder form.

View Equine Products Cool It at viovet.co.uk
View Equine Products Cool It at equus.co.uk
View Equine Products Cool It at amazon.co.uk

Science Supplements ProKalm

This supplement helps horses perform to their potential using a fast-acting formulation, which can "take the edge off" up to eight hours, or fed daily to achieve consistent performance.

View Science Supplements ProKalm at viovet.co.uk
View Science Supplements ProKalm at amazon.co.uk

EquiNutritive No More Nerves

This natural magnesium-free calming supplement combines seven herbs to help that settle anxious, stressy horses, keeping them focused and calm, while also supporting good gut health.

View EquiNutritive No More Nerves now at equinutritive.com
View EquiNutritive No More Nerves now at amazon.co.uk

NutriScience Anxikalm

A nutritional powdered supplement to help calm excitable horses in stressful conditions. Safe to use in competition horses, the key ingredients are L-tryptophan, which converts to serotonin and decreases anxiety, as well as B vitamins and magnesium.

View NutriScience Anxikalm at viovet.co.uk
View NutriScience Anxikalm at amazon.co.uk
View NutriScience Anxikalm at equus.co.uk

Plusvital Tryptocool

This supplement is designed to alleviate stress in horses prone to excitable behaviour. It contains tryptophan, magnesium and B vitamins to support the nervous system. Can be fed daily or as needed.

View Plusvital Tryptocool at amazon.co.uk

Animalife Vetrocalm Instant

Form: Syringe paste | Sizes: 2 x 30ml, 2 x 3ml eight pack | RRP: £24.99 for 2 x 30ml syringes |

This paste works in minutes and lasts for hours, helping your horse maintain a relaxed outlook and deal with stressful situations. It supports the replenishment of oxygen in the blood to help horses deal with stress, fear, anxiety and tension.

View Animalife Vetrocalm Instant at viovet.co.uk
View Animalife Vetrocalm Instant at amazon.co.uk

Dodson & Horrell Placid

A dried herbal blend suitable for horses and ponies prone to nervousness or excitability; including a blend of chamomile, lemon balm and vervain, which are renowned for their calming properties, while magnesium helps to support an even temperament. An ideal supplement for use when bringing a horse back into work.

View Dodson & Horrell Placid at viovet.co.uk
View Dodson & Horrell Placid at amazon.co.uk
View Dodson & Horrell Placid at equus.co.uk

Horse First RelaxMe

A unique double-action formula that works on both the gut and the nervous system. It combines magnesium with vitamins E and B to create a calmer more easy-going horse. Also available in syringe form.

View Horse First RelaxMe at viovet.co.uk
View Horse First RelaxMe at amazon.co.uk

Lincoln Herbs Valerian Cordial

A natural non-sedating calmer derived from the valerian plant. This powerful ingredient maintains calmness in anxious, excitable and highly-strung horses. The non-drowsy formula means performance and focus are unaffected.

View Lincoln Herbs Valerian Cordial at viovet.co.uk
View Lincoln Herbs Valerian Cordial at amazon.co.uk
View Lincoln Herbs Valerian Cordial at equus.co.uk

Cavalor Take it Easy Forte

This paste-type formula is enriched with several calming essential oils. It works quickly and can help horses to become more calm, relaxed and focused.

View Cavalor Take it Easy Forte at viovet.co.uk

Hack Up Instant Liquid Caalm

A unique blend of chamomile, hawthorn and marshmallow flowers are blended with liquorice to form this liquid supplement. This unique balance of ingredients maintains healthy serotonin levels required to keep a settled mind and body. Also available in paper refill packaging.

Omega ZenCalm

This supplement provides nutritional support to help with anxiety, stress and excitability. It is packed with powerful herb extracts, including brewers yeast, bio-available magnesium and liquorice, along with a variety of B vitamins.

View Omega ZenCalm at viovet.co.uk
View Omega ZenCalm at equus.co.uk

Maxavita Maxacalm

A magnesium-based blend containing green-lipped mussel, L-tryptophan and soothing herbs, it helps take the edge off sharp and nervous horses without losing sparkle.

View Maxavita Maxacalm at viovet.co.uk
View Maxavita Maxacalm at amazon.co.uk
View Maxavita Maxacalm at equus.co.uk

Nettex eCalm

This non-magnesium, natural calmer is prebiotic-like in functionality and has been shown to influence the natural gut microbiome, which in turn supports calmness and well-being as well as supporting the gut.

View Nettex eCalm at viovet.co.uk
View Nettex eCalm at amazon.co.uk

Supreme Products Defuse

Form: Liquid | Sizes: 80ml, 500ml, 1l, 5l | RRP: £9 for 80ml | Single measure: 60–120ml |

A vitamin, magnesium and amino acid-based supplement that helps calm nervous animals. Designed to be used as an "on-the-day" calmer, it can be given when you feel it is required without build up.

View Supreme Products Defuse at viovet.co.uk
View Supreme Products Defuse at equus.co.uk

Synovium Calmingard

Form: Gel | Sizes: 10ml, 5 x 10ml | RRP: £8 for one 10ml syringe | Single measure: 10ml |

This natural instant calmer formula is administered in gel form. It does not sedate, is safe for competition and is formulated to help horses who get stressed, anxious or excited. Administer 1–2 hours prior to requirement.

View Synovium Calmingard at amazon.co.uk

HomeoVet Equipathics Travel Anxiety

This gentle, natural remedy promotes relief from fear of travel, loading and other stressful situations. It can be used on horses of all ages and is available as in easy liquid dosing form.

View HomeoVet Equipathics Travel Anxiety at amazon.co.uk
View HomeoVet Equipathics Travel Anxiety at viovet.co.uk

Nupafeed MAH Liquid

This supplement targets stressful and difficult behaviour by improving magnesium absorption without causing acid-base disruption. FEI compliant. Also available in syringe form.

Equiform Nutrition Stay Calm

A liquid feed supplement formulated to provide a calming effect on horses that display nervous and temperamental behaviour. Ideal for horses that may become stressed when competing or travelling.

Foran Equine Nutri-Calm syrup

Calming supplement containing B vitamins, magnesium and L-tryptophan to aid nervous tension that may be as a result of reduced turnout, for example. Also available in syringe form.

Hi Form Herbanerve

With increased stable time over the winter months, Herbanerve may assist in keeping your horse calm and stress-free without removing the edge for top class performance. You can also add water and administer it via a syringe.

Mastacare natural herbal calmer

This herbal supplement is ideal for excitable horses or those that become unsettled when stabled for long periods. It includes natural valerian root, hops and yeast.

Vital Equine Vita Calm

This calmer contains a blend of crucial nutrients, including magnesium, which is involved in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and appetite. A blend of B vitamins are included for correct release of carbohydrate, helping to maintain blood sugar levels, and to help maintain the integrity of the nervous system.

You might also like:

FEI rules revision: the first draft of rules for 2023 have been published.

Library image.

Horses lose electrolytes when they sweat

Credit: Storm Johnson

Credit: Future

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

huntcombou.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/buyers-guides/horse-calmers-calming-supplements-698540