Cooler weather is here, and so is spooky season! Riders often find that their horses are a little more on edge this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your rides wondering what your horse will spook at next. Here, we’ll take a look at three types of calming supplements and get a better understanding of how the ingredients in each work so you can find the right support for your horse.
Horses whose diets don’t provide enough of the nutrients necessary for proper nervous system function may be anxious. These formulas are designed to bring your horse’s dietary levels into the optimal range for a healthy, correctly functioning nervous system.
• Vitamin B1 is important in the normal transmission of impulses along nerves
• Magnesium is a key player in nervous system function
• Inositol assists in nerve transmission and supports the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin
• Tryptophan is converted by the body into serotonin, which may help increase feelings of well-being and contentment
Herbal ingredients can provide soothing support for tense, anxious horses. Some of these supplements combine herbs with the nutrient-based ingredients listed above.
• Valerian helps balance the nervous system and address muscle cramps associated with tension
• Chamomile is beneficial for horses who process their nervousness through their GI system
• Vervain may help balance the nervous system of horses who have excess energy
If your sweet mare turns into a moody monster during or around her heat cycle, her poor attitude could be related to hormonal fluctuations or discomfort in her reproductive tract. These formulas include ingredients that support balanced hormones and an even disposition.
• Raspberry supports smooth muscle tone, helping to relax muscle that is in spasm
• Passionflower helps relax muscle tension in smooth and skeletal muscle
• Chasteberry helps maintain a balanced hormonal system
