Calming supplements for the Hunt Horse?

[LookinSouth]

Just wondering if anyone out there has had any success using Quietex or Calm and Cool pastes to take the “edge” off their horse when out hunting. Last season was my first season out and we went out totally au natural, no ace, supplements etc… My horse is very safe and sane BUT he gets very worked up and generally hot with the excitement of horses in front of him. He will travel at the very back of the pack but he wants to jig constantly, throw his head and work himself into a lather once we start moving at any speed beyond the walk. He definitely feeds off of other horses that get uppity too. Not to mention he gets very strong and it’s exhausting to keep him in check!!
He is controllable and safe, would never buck, rear, or truly bolt off but
it’s just not an enjoyable ride for ME when he’s like that.

I am certain in time hunting will be no big deal and he just needs the experience but I’m wondering if maybe something like Quietex or Calm and cool might help to simmer him down a bit when we’re riding in a big group:confused:

[JSwan]

Nope.

Only thing that worked for me was turnout, no am feed, more fat, a good workout the day before, and Scotch. Single Malt.

For me.

Some people swear by those B-1 crumbles - but really - nothing worked except what I wrote - and that info was given to me by folks on this forum.

Except for the Scotch. That was my idea. I think.

[SLW]

A few years back a gelding we were showing became angst at one indoor arena where we routinly showed due to a new sound system over the center of the arena. At the next show there I used a product w/ L-Tryptophan as the main ingredient. It was a paste and we dosed it per the label directions. It did make him yawn and take the edge off him. But, this was a veteran show horse doing something he had been doing for years. If it would have any effect on a hot horse, new to foxhunting, is beyond me. You might try it along w/ the excellent advice JSwan offered.

[LookinSouth]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. This horse is 17, lives outside with a run in on several acres 24/7, gets moderate work 5 to 6 days a week and is on a high fat, low protein grain. I don’t think there is anything else I can do as far as horsekeeping management to change the fact that he is race bred on both sides (APHA and TB) and although NEVER raced has a highly competitive and bold, leader type mentality when out in the open.

The prospect of being in 2nd flight with wimpy me I think bores him to death and he gets more worked up as the ride goes on it seems. Especially when he sees the 1st flight horses galloping off ahead of us and we’re just trotting along. :lol: Like I said, I am certain he will calm down over time and get over the fact that he can’t always be up in front but I was hoping there might be something to help us get to that point.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Why not ace?

[strawberry_roan]

Agree with JSwan. I have found nothing works except the Scotch! :D:D

[Elghund2]

Could be that he is just a first flight horse.

When I take mine second flight, I hang in the back and get a lot of gates. Pretty soon he figures out that that is his job for the day. Otherwise my arms would be a lot longer. Its not an issue when we go first flight.

[armandh]

my signature is what worked for me

a couple of years hauling back on the reins will give you plenty of lower back strength as an added bonus.
for me it was, for the first year, a ride the day B4, no grain the morning of.
year 2 just no grain the morning of.
by year 3 it was just tack and go
photo in my profile

[Horsepower]

In answer to your original question, yes, I had definate success using Quietex (in flake form from SmartPak) added to the feed to calm down my very high strung OTTB (who had one many races and could bolt). It was my understanding that there may be ingredients in it that are not allowed if you show the horse so keep that in mind. Also, I should warn you that I was told by a vet that when first weaning them OFF the Quietex they can get hyper; so if you use it and then decide to discontinue use, allow time for the horse to come down from the after-effects. I could not have ridden my OTTB without it for the first year I owned him and was retraining him. Good luck. Also, try tranquility oil from www.chevalinternational.com. It is an herbal oil (smells great) that you rub under the horse’s nose just before you ride (can also rub it under your own nose). My guess is that it calms down horses because they smell that rather than scenting other animals around them.

[Horsepower]

By the way, it is my understanding that L-Tryptophan is illegal for showing! So if drug-tested, SLW’s horse would have been disqualified from the show she described.

[Shadowsrider]

I’ve had excellent results in a variety of situations with Mare-Alleve Plus from Foxden Equine.

[LookinSouth]

@Horsepower;3161949

In answer to your original question, yes, I had definate success using Quietex (in flake form from SmartPak) added to the feed to calm down my very high strung OTTB (who had one many races and could bolt). It was my understanding that there may be ingredients in it that are not allowed if you show the horse so keep that in mind. Also, I should warn you that I was told by a vet that when first weaning them OFF the Quietex they can get hyper; so if you use it and then decide to discontinue use, allow time for the horse to come down from the after-effects. I could not have ridden my OTTB without it for the first year I owned him and was retraining him. Good luck. Also, try tranquility oil from www.chevalinternational.com. It is an herbal oil (smells great) that you rub under the horse’s nose just before you ride (can also rub it under your own nose). My guess is that it calms down horses because they smell that rather than scenting other animals around them.

Thanks for the info! Have you tried the Quietex paste at all? I am hesitant to put him on a daily calming supplement because he really doesn’t need it at all for daily riding. He hunter paces, trail rides and events w/o issue and would probably be TOO quiet in those scenarios. Hunting is really the only time I would need it for him.

[LookinSouth]

@Shadowsrider;3164228

I’ve had excellent results in a variety of situations with Mare-Alleve Plus from Foxden Equine.

Is this strictly for mares though?

[LookinSouth]

@Elghund2;3161839

Could be that he is just a first flight horse.

When I take mine second flight, I hang in the back and get a lot of gates. Pretty soon he figures out that that is his job for the day. Otherwise my arms would be a lot longer. Its not an issue when we go first flight.

’

I believe he IS a first flight horse. In fact he would be an awesome whipper in horse or field master mount since he has no qualms leading or going off on his own. He just hates to be at the bottom of the barrel and wants to be the decision maker it seems, he has a very opinionated temperment for a gelding:lol: One time a friend rode him up with 1st flight briefly and it seemed he was much happier. Problem is I am definitely not comfortable riding 1st flight yet myself, if it was all flats I probably could, but everyone in 1st flight seems to jump and some of the approaches to these jumps terrify me, they are quite a bit more complex than what I have experienced XC in BN eventing. I want the option to go around and I’m not sure that I could if everyone else goes over the jump.Not to mention I don’t think everyone in 1st flight has the patience for wussy beginners just starting out hunting; 2nd flight does:winkgrin: