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Can we discuss calming supplements?

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  • #21
    I'm liking the idea of the SmartCalm Ultra because it contains a combo of Mag, B's, and L-Tryptophan. However, I do wonder if the level of Mag is a bit high? 10,000 mg, whereas many calming supps contain less than half that amount. ??
    "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain

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    • #22
      Okay...can I tell you that I'm a big believer in Smart Calm Ultra? I will gladly be their spokesperson for this product! I am the biggest skeptic when it comes to powders and such but I figured, why not? My horse was a bit of a spook, nervous at times and would fret at dinner time as well as bolt when turned out. I had the vet out to check the physical side of my horse before I chalked it up to him, vet found nothing, good eye sight, no ulcers! Good for me! After reading a few threads about Smart Calm, I decided to try it last week. Can I tell you I saw a difference within 24 hours? Totally smoothed him out! Very focused, not anxious and spooking is very minimal. Even the barn manager commented on how quiet he is during feeding time and does not bolt away during turn out. Granted it just got warm in the Northeast, so that might have helped but heck, for the price, I would try it out. It seems some calming supplements work for some horse, others, not so much. Tried stress-ex last year, nothing but Smart Calm Ultra, nice results so far!

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      • #23
        I've had my pony on Quiessence and now switched the smartpak Ultra Calm. (I do a lot of trail riding alone with her) I put her on Quiessence from the day I got her because it mentioned that it helps founder prone horses and she was on pasture at the time.

        Now that I moved barns and she is in a paddock without grass, AND to save money, I'm going to take her off of it once I run out.

        Very curious to see the change, if any, and hope I wasn't wasting my money the past several years.
        MnToBe Twinkle Star: "Twinkie"
        http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...wo/009_17A.jpg

        Proud member of the "Don't rush to kill wildlife" clique!

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        • #24
          I've heard good things about B-Kalm paste, which is primarily L-Tryptophan, 10,000 mg. A friend gives a tube to a racehorse mare the night before she ships, and she said her nervousness disappears AND her ability to be fast - and even win - isn't compromised. Interesting!
          "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain

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          • #25
            I've been feeding the Smart Calm (NOT the Ultra) to two horses for about two months now and I'm happy with the results. I hated doing it, as I really don't like throwing supplements at them for every little thing that I don't like, but the one horse I was at my wit's end, and the other horse is just a nervous, reactive type that I've never been able to fully settle. They are both better with it. Hardly bomb proof, but they are less reactive and more able to focus.

            I do totally agree with Melyni's list...rule out EVERYTHING else before leaping on the supplement band wagon.
            Amanda

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            • #26
              Actually after todays wonderful trail ride, I will keep her on the SmartPak Ultra Calm.

              I ride in state forest which includes other activities such as biking, hiking, plus a lake which attracts a lot of people, such as today as the weather was gorgeous.

              Normally she'll hesitate and get a bit nervous at the lake and the parking/picnic area. But today nothing bothered her.

              Cars, kids, bicycles and she walked by it all like a trooper. So, I guess she is staying on it.
              MnToBe Twinkle Star: "Twinkie"
              http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...wo/009_17A.jpg

              Proud member of the "Don't rush to kill wildlife" clique!

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              • #27
                I recently put my "hot" mare on plain old MagOx and have noticed a huge change in her. I have owned her for about 4 or 5 months now I think and she has always been hot and not so much spooky but very reactive and sensitive and TENSE. I noticed within the first few days of starting the Mag she got VERY spooky and stupid acting for a day or two. Not sure if this was related or just a coincidence but now the difference is amazing. She is calm and most importantly she is SO much more relaxed. It wasn't an immediate change so I'm not sure if maybe the Mag had to build up in her system or something? I was actually planning to make a separate post about this so it's kind of ironic to find this post today lol.

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                • #28
                  I've seen remarkable results with Quiessence while working at a boarding barn. It was noticeable when the horses were on or off it, and I wasn't one of the owners. I've used magnesium and Daily Calm from Springtime on my mare. Definitely makes a noticeable difference, it takes the edge off. It's particularly noticeable under saddle. Before I owned her, my boss at the time rode her regularly and noticed the difference in temperament when she came off of it, without knowing my friend (her owner at the time) had stopped putting it in her supplement tubs.
                  Gentleman J - "Junior" - My been-there, done-that jumper

                  Send Your Love - "Serena" - Aug 10th 2009, Rest in Peace

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                  • #29
                    Shhh...don't tell my "studdish" TB but I have him on Easy Mare (Hilton Herbs through Smartpak). He is much calmer and definitely not as studdish, spring seems to bring out the worst in him!! I tried the smart calm ultra but no positive results. I really like the Easy Mare!

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                    • #30
                      Very interesting remarks regarding the SmartCalm Ultra. My mostly level headed teenaged appendix tends to get uppity in the winter, especially when he is not in a consistent riding routine- which is the case right now. He tries to drag you from stall to paddock and vs. versus, paws on xties, won't stand still for mounting, etc. 9 months out of the year he is great..but Jan/Feb/Mar is rough on him. In past years, I've worked through it. But this year, due to a new job and work schedule, he has not been able to get out enough and its been hard getting someone to do it when I can't (we have no indoor!).

                      To get to the point- yesterday I was lunging him and when I went to switch directions, he squealed and kicked out when I lengthend the longe and managed to get me square in the thigh with his hind hoof (i have the nice bruise to prove it). I'm pretty lucky but now I'm like..ok this is the last straw!

                      I am going to be cancelling all other evening plans for the next few weeks and whooping his butt back into shape. But wondering if I should resort to a calming supplement to help things along until springtime. Someone else mentioned giving him a shot of Depo?

                      Regarding his routine- he gets a handful of pellets, all day turnout, easy keeper. His training routine (or lack of it) is the main cause.

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                      • #31
                        I have had my mare on Thia-Cal (a liquid) for about a year now. Huge difference in her calmness, and super easy to dispense. She gets a couple squirts on her pellets (high fat and fibre local feed store brand) for breakfast and dinner. I would recommend it to anyone. So easy to give and it is apple flavoured so she eats it right up. (and this is a horse that can pick through supplements and leave them at the bottom)

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                        • #32
                          Originally posted by Dapple Dawn Farm View Post
                          Shhh...don't tell my "studdish" TB but I have him on Easy Mare (Hilton Herbs through Smartpak). He is much calmer and definitely not as studdish, spring seems to bring out the worst in him!! I tried the smart calm ultra but no positive results. I really like the Easy Mare!
                          HA HA! He's going to start whinneying like a girl!

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                          • #33
                            Does it loose effectiveness?

                            I have my guy on Smart Calm Ultra, and I have really liked the results. Someone at my barn said she heard they build up an immunity and it stops working if you give it as a daily supplement; that you should only feed it in chunks of time. Like go through one container, then let him "rest" for a month, then back on.

                            Has anyone had any experience of the Smart Calm Ultra seem to stop being effective after a while?

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                            • #34
                              Smart Calm definitely stopped working for my gelding after about 90 days. A noticeable difference!
                              Gone gaited....

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                              • #35
                                I had the best success with Quiessence. I've tried many of the other calming supplements on my gelding including Smartpak ultra and seen no effect.

                                I think it's a bit hit or miss if you're looking for a nutritional deficiency (unless you have a mineral hair analysis).

                                I agree that you should start with diet. My gelding does best on a ration balancer and free choice hay, with 24/7 turnout. Feeding him even a low-starch complete feed was just too much fuel. Now he is a naturally "up" horse so some days he's still a handful, but that's just his personality.
                                Equine Ink - My soapbox for equestrian writings & reviews.
                                EquestrianHow2 - Operating instructions for your horse.

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                                • #36
                                  I have a young gelding that is just being started under saddle. He has a ton of energy despite being on 24/7 turnout and getting a forage based diet with very little concentrates. I put him on Smart Calm Ultra hoping to gain some focus for training. I swear I saw a difference within 24 hours, a huge difference in that first week. I too had heard of the immunity build-up and I took him off it for the last month while we've had a rain-induced hiatus in our training.

                                  On another note, I've used also the Quitex powder and saw no results, but did have good results on a single event type usage of the Quietex paste
                                  "You'll never see yourself in the mirror with your eyes closed"

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                                  • #37
                                    Has anyone tried switching back and forth between supplements to see if that can have a constant calming effect (as it were)? Like Mare Magic one month and Smart calm the next?

                                    My gelding really can get hysterical and throw a fit when things confuse him. But when the calming supplements are working we get so much work done and he learns so much. I really think that as he has more exposure things will become less anxiety-producing, and theoretically need less calming supplement. But right now he needs it all the time, not every other month. But I really think the Smart Calm Ultra, which worked so good for the last two months is starting to wear off.

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