Dealing with Stress

Stress in horses is often attributed to or exaggerated by environment, nutritional imbalances or incorrect training, with age, sex and breed also being a factor. To give an example a normally quiet horse that has to move yards, will feel insecure and unsettled and may have to be confined to a stable instead of being turned out.  These changes of routine and unfamiliar smells may make your horse start to weave or become difficult to handle.  Other horses may never fully settle, even in a calm environment with a careful feed and management regime. In both cases the addition of a nutritional calmer to the horse's diet can be the ticket to a calmer more focused horse, who is happier, less stressed and willing to work.
The ingredients in calming products can vary greatly, but the main aims are to correct nutritional lows or imbalances, reduce stress and encourage focus and concentration.  So before choosing a calmer you need to identify whether your horse is tense or nervous or full of energy and over enthusiastic.
When you have assessed the problems, here are some ingredients to look out for in your calming products and why each will benefit your horse.

Magnesium
Due to over-grazing and farming, grass and hay can often be lacking in vital minerals, including magnesiium.  Competition horses will also require higher amounts, but a normal diet will not typically meet these needs and supplementation may be necessary.  A horse lacking in Magnesium will often appear and feel tense to touch and can experience muscle twitching, as well as being apprehensive and nervous.  Supplementing Magnesium will reduce nervous tension, resulting in a calmer horse. There are several varying forms of Magnesium but one which can be used as a dietary source is Magnesium Oxide.  No Magnesium compound should be fed in excess as high levels will have a laxative effect, including large amounts of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate).

L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which is found naturally in plants and is integral in the production of the chemicals involved in concentration and controlling stress.  By increasing dietary L-Tryptophan these chemicals are regulated, enabling the horse to stay focused without 'losing it' . This does not result in a dull horse, but one that reacts well and is quicker to bring under control.  By encouraging your horse to stay calmer, he will learn more quickly and respond well in 'scary' situations, showing confidence in himself and you.
L-Tryptophan is great in combination with Magnesium and will help to increase focus in horses that are easily distracted, or in new or exciting situations, and will complement any training programme.

Herbs
There are many herbs which contain calming properties, but care should be taken as they can have a dulling effect and some are banned from competition (e.g. Valerian).  Check with the manufacturer regarding any herbs or botanical extracts to ensure tht the product is safe for competition.

Chaste Berry
This is not traditionally used as a 'calmer' but to balance hormones. Hormone imbalances can often be seen in mares leading to 'moody mare' syndrome.  This is usually apparent in the Spring when the increase in daylight hours triggers the pituitary gland to produce hormones. Chaste Berry can be used safely all year round to level out hormonal behaviour in mares.  There have also been many cases of these products reducing aggressiveness in stallions or rigs. Chaste Berry can be combined with an L-Tryptophan based product for training purposes.
It is not uncommon to hear someone describe their failed interview or stressful meeting as 'my nerves just got the better of me'.  Don't let the same things happen to your horse - a calming supplement can help to reduce stress levels and improve life for you both, as well as unlocking greater performance potential. Do your research to find the calmer that works for your horse.

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