Newsdate: Fri 26 June 2015 – 11:55 am
Location: PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts

Does looking at the number of calming supplements available make you want to spin and bolt? Don’t shy away just yet! SmartPak is here to help you choose the ideal calming formula for your horse so that you can be confident in your decision and your horse can be confident on your rides.

Choosing the ideal calming formula for your horse

Three types of calming supplements for horses are available: nutrient-based formulas, herbal formulas, and herbal formulas designed specifically for moody mares.

There are three types of calming supplements to choose from: nutrient-based formulas, herbal formulas, and herbal formulas designed specifically for moody mares. Here we’ll take a look at these three types of supplements and get a better understanding of how the ingredients in each work, so you can find the right support for your horse.

Nutrient-based calming supplements

As “nutrient-based” suggests, calming supplements in this category provide nutrients that are already a part of your horse’s diet. Horses that aren’t getting enough of the key nutrients necessary for nervous system function may be anxious, so these formulas are designed to bring your horse’s levels into the optimal range for a properly functioning nervous system.

Supplements in this category are an ideal starting point for any horse that is nervous, edgy, reactive, unconfident, or spooky. By supplying the nutrients needed for proper nervous system function, you can help determine if your horse’s nervousness is because there aren’t high enough levels of a core element of his diet.

Additionally, if you compete in rated horse shows, nutrient-based supplements are your only option. Herbal calming supplements include ingredients that are forbidden by many competitive organizations, but the ingredients in nutrient-based formulas are not because they’re key nutrients like tryptophan, magnesium, and B-vitamins that are already in your horse’s diet.

Ingredients to look for:

• Magnesium: A key player in nervous system function, magnesium is a macromineral that serves as an activator of hundreds of enzymes, and as a participant in muscle contractions. Your horse should be getting magnesium from his basic diet, but because horses in moderate to heavy work have additional requirements for magnesium, it may not be enough. Supplementing your horse with magnesium can give his body what it needs to help the nervous system function properly. Because one of the clinical signs of magnesium deficiency is nervousness, many riders find that their horses have a balanced temperament and are able to stay focused when supplemented with magnesium.
• Vitamin B1: Also known as thiamine, Vitamin B1 is important in the normal transmission of impulses along nerves. The National Research Council has set dietary requirements for vitamin B1 in horses because, unlike with most B-vitamins, the microorganisms in the hindgut don’t make enough thiamine to meet a horse’s needs. That means that your horse needs to consume B1 in his diet in order to meet his needs. Pasture and grain are a good source of this vitamin, but horses in work and those who don’t have access to fresh pasture or aren’t fed fortified grain may not be getting enough. Supplementing with vitamin B1 will help ensure that your horse is getting enough for his nervous system to function normally.
• Inositol: A close relative of the B-vitamin family, inositol is found in nearly every cell in the body. One of its roles is assisting in nerve transmission, which includes participating in the action of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Improper serotonin levels are known to be a factor in anxiety levels, so inositol may be helpful for nervous horses.
• Tryptophan: An essential amino acid, tryptophan is a critical protein building block that, similar to vitamin B1, needs to be supplied as part of your horse’s diet. Tryptophan is converted by the body into serotonin, melatonin, and other hormones that transmit nerve signals to the brain. Serotonin increases the feelings of well-being and contentment, so supplementing your horse with the precursor of it may help nervous horses feel relaxed.

Herbal calming supplements

As the name suggests, the formulas in this type of calming supplement include herbal ingredients. Like the ingredients in nutrient-based supplements, the ingredients in herbal calming formulas are beneficial because of their effect on the nervous system.

If you don’t compete in rated horse shows (products in this category contain herbs not permitted by many competitive organizations), an herbal calming formula is a great option to consider. Additionally, if you’ve tried a nutrient-based supplement and didn’t see the results you were hoping for, switching your horse to an herbal formula may be an appropriate next step. Finally, if you’re currently feeding a nutrient-based supplement and you like what you’re seeing but still want to provide more support, pairing your nutrient-based formula with an herbal formula may be an appropriate choice for your horse.

Herbs to look for:

• Valerian: This potent herb helps rebalance a nervous system struggling with anxiety. It can also help relieve muscle cramps and spasms associated with tension, so it’s especially helpful for horses that hold their anxiety in their muscles and get tense.
• Chamomile: Another herb with specific actions on the nervous system. It is especially helpful for horses that process their nervousness through their gastrointestinal system (you know, that horse in your barn with the “nervous tummy”).
• Hops: This herb has been used for centuries to help alleviate nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, and other disturbances related to the nervous system. In horses, it’s helpful for those that are prone to “mental anxiety” and become distracted and unfocused.
• Vervain: This herb may help balance the nervous system of horses who have excess energy, helping them slow down and concentrate on the job at hand.
• Passion flower: This herb supports a calm and relaxed disposition. It appears to be particularly helpful when used together with valerian, chamomile, hops, or vervain.

Moody mare supplements

If your sweet mare turns into a moody monster in or around her heat cycle, her poor attitude could be related to hormonal fluctuations or discomfort in her reproductive and digestive tracts. In addition to any of the herbs listed in the previous section, a formula designed for a temperamental mare will likely include ingredients that support balanced hormones and an even disposition. When choosing a calming supplement for your mare, keep in mind that some of the herbal ingredients in many moody mare supplements are forbidden by competitive organizations.

Ingredients to look for:

• Raspberry: The active ingredients in this herb support smooth muscle tone in both the reproductive and digestive tracts, helping to relax muscle that is in spasm.
• Vitex agnus castus: Also known as chaste berry, this herb helps maintain a balanced hormonal system.
• Cramp bark: Like raspberry, this herb helps relax muscle tension in both smooth and skeletal muscle, making it a helpful choice for mares who are uncomfortable due to spasms in both the reproductive and digestive systems.