There are so many types of ingredients that can be found in horse calming supplements and with so many different combinations and formulas available, it can be difficult to decide what would be best to buy.
You will find that one type works much better for your horse than another will, ‘trial and error’ is unfortunately usually the key. Combinations of ingredients in the formula usually work best and provide the most all-round relief.
Always ensure you read the label of ingredients on the packaging carefully, so you are in the know about what you are administering to your horse.
With that being said, here are 5 of the very best ingredients you will most commonly find in horse calming supplements:
Magnesium
Magnesium sulphate is quite possibly the most popular ingredient that can be found in horse calming supplements. It is true to say that many horses suffer from a magnesium deficiency which can often leave them feeling nervous and with excess excitement. Magnesium provides a clear all-round calming effect for horses. Many studies have shown Magnesium to have significant soothing and calming effects. Daily feeding has also proven to have a noticeable effect on anxiety.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is referred to as an amino acid that is said to have a significant calming effect on horses. It is used regularly in horse calmer supplements and is often high up the list of ingredients, but there is little to no research to suggest it has a valuable effect on calming horses. It is very possible, however, that by combining this ingredient with others, such as Magnesium sulphate, it may have an enhanced effect on calming your horse. Many believe Tryptophan is a must-have ingredient in supplements of this nature.
Thiamine and Niacin
Thiamine and Niacin (otherwise referred to as B vitamins) are considered to be a very important addition to your horse’s diet. B vitamins are regularly found in calming supplements. Feeding at much higher levels has historically been known to calm nervous or anxious horses and help them stay relaxed and comfortable, even in particularly anxious times.
You will often find Thiamine and Niacin together in formulas for calming supplements as they work together hand in hand for a maximum effect. These won’t necessarily work for all horses, but the success rate in using these vitamins as calmers is exceptionally high.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a very valuable ingredient in any horse supplement; fresh pasture is usually your horse’s main intake source. Fresh pasture isn’t always readily available to your horses. Despite providing hay as the next best option, Vitamin E levels decrease as soon as the pasture is cut, meaning your horse may lack some nutrients.
Vitamin E is a very potent antioxidant that works to help your horse’s body deal with stress, illness and certain medical conditions and is a key ingredient in any good horse calming supplement.
A variety of herbs
Herbs can be a great natural alternative for calming horses. They are becoming more and more popular to use amongst owners and you will find that many commercial horse calmers now include at least one herb into the mix.
It is not uncommon to see Chamomile in many horse calming supplements, and is a great addition to any formula. It has been used as a natural remedy in human medication for years and is generally safe for most people and animals to take.
You may notice herbs included in horse calmers are Vervain, Valerian and HOPS. Be careful if you are giving Valerian to horses at a competition as it is a banned substance under FEI and Jockey Club rules.
Ready to look at the different types of horse calmers available? View our horse calmer supplement overview here.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.