Best calming agent for horses

AfleetAlex · Postby **AfleetAlex** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:19 pm

I have 2 horses who, when I ship in to train at the track, are complete head cases. Last year they were stabled at the track, and they both have ran, so they aren't "scared" or spooked. They both get on the trailer and trailer fine, except the one breaks out in a sweat until he is unloaded but no trouble otherwise. They get to the track unload and go to their stall. One will stand pretty quiet until he goes to the track but after he trains he paces the wall non stop and breaks out in a further sweat. The next horse will pace the wall the entire time! Even after he trains. All the while breaking out into a sweat. When its time to go home they load up and trailer fine the whole way home. They are perfectly fine once home and act as if nothing ever happened. Occasionally the one horse will pace the wall, but very rarely at the farm.

Does anyone have any expierence with using calming agents before they are shipping? Or even a supplement they get daily to help reduce the nervousness? I'm willing to try anything at this point!

Maureen · Postby **Maureen** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:35 pm

I use Vit B1 (thiamine) as a daily calming agent. Usually comes as crumbles, horses don't mind the taste and it has worked for my horses, especially the chestnut mare! LOL

doublete · Postby **doublete** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:16 pm

Thia Cal (yellow jug) is another B1 supplement that is worth trying.

wilf · Postby **wilf** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:10 pm

Tie them to the wall!

Runnerandrider · Postby **Runnerandrider** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:45 pm

I use quietex with my stallion's daily supplements. Has taken the edge off without turning him into a plodder (not that that would ever be a problem for him). But is has certainly helped him be more focused. I get it through Smartpak.com.

AfleetAlex · Postby **AfleetAlex** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:37 am

wilf wrote:Tie them to the wall!

Well that is most certainly happening next time!

AfleetAlex · Postby **AfleetAlex** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:13 am

Is there benefit to having tryptophan or valerian root in the product? Or is it best to not use one or either?

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:44 am

My trainer uses B1 injectible. It's cheaper than dirt.

I have a wonderful Lord At War mare who had a horrible production record prior to being sold to me out back at Keeneland after she failed to bring a minimum bid. She went in the trailer fine, but we got home (55 minute trip) and she was an eye rolling, soaked black to the skin sweaty wreck (in January). I think her bad production years might have been a result of being trailered either to breed or while she was pregnant. She promptly got in foal on one cover, gave us a beautiful colt, and got back in foal for another. It helps that she just has to walk up from her field to the stallion to be bred. If I had to send her out, though, I would put her on B1.

I would be careful about using anything other than vit B1 as it might test and you'd HATE to lose a race that way.

ireneinwa · Postby **ireneinwa** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:01 am

Runnerandrider wrote:I use quietex with my stallion's daily supplements. Has taken the edge off without turning him into a plodder (not that that would ever be a problem for him). But is has certainly helped him be more focused. I get it through Smartpak.com.

I have tried Quietex and so has my friend w/ her stallion and I've found it does nothing but cost money.

no hurray · Postby **no hurray** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:36 pm

if your not running within a week and they are bad try giving them 1cc of ace under the tongue 30 minuites before you put them in the trailer. works well.

doublete · Postby **doublete** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:52 pm

Be very careful with ace orally... it will test... find out the withdraw time in your jurisdiction.

Joltman · Postby **Joltman** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:43 pm

One would assume that there is a reason why the horse is reacting the way it is. A behavior specialist might be able to ferret that out. May have had really bad experience at that track and could do well elsewhere. Or perhaps can be brought through it by patient behavioral training.

jm

mightyhijames · Postby **mightyhijames** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:38 am

i just got in two yearlings that need their feet trimmed. my (aging) farrier suggested ace orally before we tackle them. comments? warnings? options?

Lisann · Postby **Lisann** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:55 am

With the yearlings, ace is an option, but some horses blow right through it. With my hard to shoe mare, I used a demorsedan/xylazine mix (spelling?).

cewright · Postby **cewright** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:54 am

mightyhijames wrote:i just got in two yearlings that need their feet trimmed. my (aging) farrier suggested ace orally before we tackle them. comments? warnings? options?

I would be very careful with this approach. Your aging farrier is probably concerned for his safety (and you can't blame him). He is really telling you is he thinks the yearlings are ill-mannered and he needs to sedate them to safely work on them. The problem is a sedated horse remembers which makes the problem worse in the future. Your yearlings need to be trained to properly pick up their feet at some point anyway. Using drugs to replace training is a major cause of problems which can be very difficult to overcome. Taking the time to teach a horse properly may take a little longer in the short term, but is cost effective on a long term basis (and a whole lot easier on your farrier).

Chuck