Shen Calmer? Anyone use it??? Help w/ Calming Supplements

[lohsela]

SO... here's my story... I have an "ulcer" horse that just came off GastroGard... he is eating fine, doing well but still incredibly nervous. He gets minimal grain - only 3qts per day and plenty of hay etc. Anyway, vet was out today and gave me some chinese herbs called Shen Calmer... I was totally okay with that until I looked at the bill - $125 for a month's supply :eek:. No way! The point is to give my boy something to take the edge off and keep him less nervous so he doesn't aggrevate his tummy. SO, does anyone have any suggestions for anything else that will do this that won't cost me $125 per month? My horse is expensive enough to maintain with ulcers (stomach soother, aloe juice, u-gard...) Should I try SmartCalm, ExStress, Quiessence? I need something that doesn't test because we go to USEF rated shows...

If you've used Shen Clamer and like it... please let me know as well... I haven't returned it yet and if it's the key I'll fork over the dough... :no:

[HunterJumper106]

We use Quiessence on multiple horses at our farm and have found it to be very effective! If you want more info PM me.

[FillyMe]

I can help you out here. Your vet obviously is trained in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) which is great. What she gave you is by Dr Xie, which is an expensive brand. I remember when I first got it and saw the price and the dosage I was told to give was so high that the container lasted like two and a half weeks. I did do it for about 4 months and it did work but then found an herbalist who makes the formula for me for half the price. I happen to really believe in Chinese herbs but there are other things to try that are less expensive. It is the magnesium and B vitamins that the other products have in them that are the calming components. So you have several choices. I happen to use SmartCalm myself because I like what it has and it is the best priced. There is nothing in there that will test, but you have to be careful with the Chinese herbs. I contacted USDF when I started using them and was told they were considered banned. I don't believe a blood pull from a horse to test for illegal substances would show the herbs unless they were specifically looking for them. I don't know this for a fact though, just was told that. There is also another product I have seen some good results with used it with(I used it when horse was on 60days stall rest) is a prodcut by EquineGold.com called Calm Ease. It is herb based as well. Hope this helps you decide.

[Lieslot]

I had my horse both on Shen Calmer & Liver Happy to deal with anxiety/stress issue, but made no difference :(.
Yup expensive stuff.

Seroquine Uckele much better, or just Mg, Thiamine & Taurine does a better job for my horse. Doesn't make him totally laid back, but certainly helps more then the Chinese herbs did.
And for those days he's totally lost it, double dose Valerian (Equine America), squirted straight into his mouth. Latter will test however.

[easyrider]

Shen Calmer worked wonders on my very high strung, ulcer-prone TB. A jar lasted about a month.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

You can also try brewer's yeast and milk of magnesia, or just thiamine and milk of magnesia. I forget how much MOM to use, I think like 60 mL or so?? Maybe more...

[Dirty Little Secret]

works great- have and do use it for several. Great supplement.

[lohsela]

I can help you out here. Your vet obviously is trained in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) which is great. What she gave you is by Dr Xie, which is an expensive brand. I remember when I first got it and saw the price and the dosage I was told to give was so high that the container lasted like two and a half weeks. I did do it for about 4 months and it did work but then found an herbalist who makes the formula for me for half the price. I happen to really believe in Chinese herbs but there are other things to try that are less expensive. It is the magnesium and B vitamins that the other products have in them that are the calming components. So you have several choices. I happen to use SmartCalm myself because I like what it has and it is the best priced. There is nothing in there that will test, but you have to be careful with the Chinese herbs. I contacted USDF when I started using them and was told they were considered banned. I don't believe a blood pull from a horse to test for illegal substances would show the herbs unless they were specifically looking for them. I don't know this for a fact though, just was told that. There is also another product I have seen some good results with used it with(I used it when horse was on 60days stall rest) is a prodcut by EquineGold.com called Calm Ease. It is herb based as well. Hope this helps you decide.

Is it the mag and B vitimans that really do the trick? It's hard to tell from the ingrediants on the Shen Calmer what it is that's aiding the nervous system... if it's just a bunch a herbs that have magnesium and b vitimans in them then what makes the shen calmer better then something like SmartCalm? Or is it just a matter of trying different things to find out what works for my horse?

[Liver Yang Rising]

I could not have lived without Shen Calmer for my psycho mare. It was a wonder drug!
However, My Vet informed me that is was herbal medication NOT a supplement. The mare was on a high dose for a month, then tapered off for the second month. And then I was told I could use it every other week for the third month.

The TCVM herbs are not a "supplement" as we are used to giving our horses all the time. A horse cannot stay on Shen Calmer for 9 months. It does not work that way. I was advised to put her on Valerian after the 3rd month if needed, but she was much more "well adjusted" and did not need anything else after treatment.

Dr. Xie runs all his herbal formulas through the University of Florida, so they are tested and known to be fine for competition horses or race horses that may be subjected to drug testing. These products do not contain anything that will score a positive on a drug or urine test.

I'd pay the extra $ to be assured of that.

Try the Shen calmer and see, but realize you are NOT to keep your horse on it indefinitely!

[lohsela]

Those of you who have used the Shen Calmer, have you used it for a long period of time? Or weaned them off of it... and how were they when she came off of it?

[Altamont Sport Horses]

I'd go for a magnesium supplement first. I use Uckele's magnesium oxide and it is cheap. If your horse needs the B vitamins too then you could try a supplement specifically for calming.

[medhorse]

I used it about 3 months for 2 horses. After 3 months, the holistic practioner (vet) recommened cutting the dose in half, then once a day, then every other day. It seemed to do the trick on an anxious horse. Apparently, along with accupuncture the herbs help the horse return to a balanced state. (whatever that maybe) However, I was pleased with the results.

[easyrider]

I kept my horse on it for years, as per my vet's advice.

[lstevenson]

I've seen amazing results with Command Serene.

[lohsela]

I used it about 3 months for 2 horses. After 3 months, the holistic practioner (vet) recommened cutting the dose in half, then once a day, then every other day. It seemed to do the trick on an anxious horse. Apparently, along with accupuncture the herbs help the horse return to a balanced state. (whatever that maybe) However, I was pleased with the results.

Medhorse, your horses were remained the same after slowly weaning them off the Shen Calmer? I talked to my vet and I am going to try it for a month... but I'm worried about what happens next... it's not something I can regularly afford to give him...

[manyspots]

I just started my gelding on Shen Calmer yesterday... he is overly anxious and has responded to little in the past. I am doing this under the direction of my vet (who does acupunture and chiro as well). Is it possible to see a difference in 2 days because he seems quieter already!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe it's just my imagination! :lol: