Calming Supplement for Stall Rest

[Horsecrazee85]

Hello!

Does anyone have recommendations on a calming supplement or something similar? My horse has a large laceration right on the front of his hock and has been placed on stall rest. Because of the location he needs to really be as still as possible. So far he is not being unreasonable at all, but he is very concerned about where his buddy is and so just moves around more than he really should. We don’t have an actual barn, just the one stall that we added to their run in when he got hurt. Plus it is only him and one other horse on the property. So I don’t really have the option of just stalling a buddy next to him 24/7. Thankfully he can see his friend no matter where he goes in the pasture. He is also supposed to be scoped for possible ulcers on Friday so I don’t want to use anything that is known for being tough on their bellies. I’d love to stay away from ace or other sedatives/drugs unless we really need them.
I’m sorry for the long question, but have any of you had good results from more of a supplement just to take the edge off? (He is already taking Magnesium per dr instructions unrelated to this event). He also has multiple slow feeder hay nets and doesn’t tend to mess with toys. But I’m open to other distractions as well 🙂
Thank you for any insight you have!

[Ceffyl_Dwr]

I’d be curious to know if music makes any difference. There are a number of studies to suggest it does have a positive effect, though most of what Google returned was research by someone who, albeit has spent decades studying music and behavior, is also selling “equine speakers.”

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/hea…39;s%20stress.

[wildlifer]

I just asked my vet about this because I have a young horse on pen rest who is being pretty good, but has occasional moments. I was already skeptical of them because I am a scientist & my own past research on them has been that the vast majority of “calming” supplements are ineffective, although you will find plenty of anecdotes swearing by them. I was willing to consider it though, if my vet made a recommendation – I have worked with him for a long time & trust his experience & knowledge. Vet confirmed that they are not effective & I shouldn’t waste my money. The only exception I can see is if a horse had an existing magnesium deficit, but it sounds like you’ve already taken care of that. Make sure he has a solid, balanced diet otherwise too.

I do think music is worth a shot (but do turn it off at night, horses’ need for sleep is well-documented). Sounds like you already keep him stocked with hay.

One “toy” that I would look into is the treat dispensing balls. I got one earlier this year for my young horse & I was shocked to find that the first one to figure it out & LOVE it is my older horse who does NOT care one whit about playing with things & is not even that treat motivated. I put alfalfa pellets in it & both horses now come running as soon as I shake it. I’ve never been a big horse “toy” person, but this one has been totally worth the $15. It’s well-designed, they have to work for the food & young horse has demonstrated that even if they try to chew or stomp their way into it, it may deform a little, but it will not die!

One other thing that has been shown to help some horses in research is to put up a mirror. Of course, it needs to be a safe mirror designed for stall application, but if you have access to such a thing, that may be also worth a try.

[Horsecrazee85]

Thanks for those responses! Music is definitely something I’m willing to try, since that’s about as safe as you can get!
I agree about the calming supplements, I think I’m just wishful thinking 🙂
Is there a particular brand of treat dispensing ball or just one in general?
And I’ll have to look into the mirror idea, I’m not sure if I can with our set up. But it’s definitely worth some research!

[BatCoach]

Maybe my horse is more chill than I give him credit for, but I think that Animed Via Calm has helped keep him sane during stall rest. Its has some magnesium, but I believe the main active ingredient is L-Tryptophan. Its really quite affordable, so its worth trying to see if it has an effect.

[RhythmNCruise]

I swear by Smart Calm Ultra as a regular calming supplement for my horse who exhibits symptoms of magnesium deficiency (spooky, tense, tight back). He’s a new critter since being on it. But I’m not sure it would help with stall bound horses as he hates being in a stall even when on SCU. Paces and frets and runny poops…not good.

Since it’s just short term, some calming pastes like Quietex could at least help. I had a horse who was hospitalized for a major leg injury as a 2-yo and he had to be cross-tied in his stall 24/7 for the first week after we brought him home (after already being hospitalized for a month!). I gave him Quietex and it helped. He was a pretty quiet colt anyway, but I could tell when the Quietex was starting to wear off…as he was squealing and bucking in place in his cross-ties when a horse was led by his stall (oops…not good for skin grafts, LOL).

[lenapesadie]

My horse is on calm and cool since his turn out has been reduced. I feel it has made a big difference.

[Happyrider1000]

If he normally is fed grain, reduce it to a handful if possible. Your slow feeders are a great idea.

[Calhoun]

I have used Vision made by Vita Flex with good results. It’s also not expensive.

[beowulf]

Take him off all grain if you can. If he needs calories, transition to alfalfa pellets + oil.

If he is at home, see if he can go in a 12x12 “medical paddock” vs being in a stall. It can make a big difference in the horse’s quietness, if they can munch hay “outside” next to a friend. Both the location and the ability to see their friends matters. As soon as my vet gives me the okay, I always graduate as quickly as I can to round pen panels outside, in whatever size vet says. I’ve found they are much quieter and more manageable if they share a fence line with friends and are outside, vs being isolated and locked in a stall.

Keep up with the hay nets, see if it helps.

You may not need any kind of supplement at all, if you do all of the above. I’ve rehabbed several horses (most TBs) that way and have not needed a calming supplement… but I do believe in better living through chemistry, and if being quiet is a must I would consider Reserpine – but it is not without side effects.

[LittleMare]

Trazodone!!! It’s a prescription medication, but it worked wonders for my mare when she was on stall rest. It’s been used in dogs for a long time, but seems to work just as well in horses. You can titrate the dose up or down depending. 1200mg twice daily worked well for my mare. You can go 2000-3000mg per horse though, but it sounds like your guy might need just a low dose to keep him a bit less interested in his friend. Walmart has 180 count bottles of 150mg tabs for $20.

Edited to add, I realize you asked for non sedative type things, but used at low doses trazodone is really more of an anxiolytic than a sedative. No GI side effects in my experience and I felt like if anything my mare ate better/more of her free choice hay on it because she was not busy watching/calling to her friends.

[wildlifer]

@Horsecrazee85

Thanks for those responses! Music is definitely something I’m willing to try, since that’s about as safe as you can get!
I agree about the calming supplements, I think I’m just wishful thinking 🙂
Is there a particular brand of treat dispensing ball or just one in general?
And I’ll have to look into the mirror idea, I’m not sure if I can with our set up. But it’s definitely worth some research!

This is what I have-
https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Shires_Horse_Treat__Pellet_Ball_Feeder_Toy/descpage-HBF.html

It has been gnawed & stomped repeatedly by a 16.2 6 yo OTTB who is extremely persistent & it’s not dead yet, lol.

[Horsecrazee85]

Thanks guys for all the helpful responses!! He is only on a 1/4 LB ration balancer with chopped forage twice daily. The “stall” that he is in is actually right in the middle of the two pastures and is pretty much exactly what Beowulf mentioned which I do think is helping. I’ve considered Trazadone (I work in a small animal Practice so am pretty comfortable with it. If the toy and possibly quietex doesn’t work, that’ll probably be my next step. Thanks again for all your thoughts, they’ve been a huge help!