Mare/calming supplement

[Moshposh]

couldnt find a current thread on this so here goes…

quick background:

KWPN coming 5, doing low level eventing. Extremely easy keeper, happy-go-lucky kind of mare. Eats very small amount of pianissimo by Cavalor, and hay 3x/day. Has zero health issues, no ulcers either. Saddle fits.

Very pleasant to work with on the ground.
When ridden she is GO GO GO. The hyperactive type. Occasionally “looky”. She’s not “mean”, and doesn’t do anything naughty. She is sensitive as in preferring a gentle touch/grooming/tacking up.

Im an experienced rider and am not frightened by her; It’s just hard to be productive-even worse when she’s in season.

Can anyone recommened USEF/FEI compliant mare supplements? Or calming?
thank you for suggestions!

[TWH_Girl]

I LOVE Smart Calm Ultra (despite SP’s super bad shipping issues as of late). I used Training Day but it did not help, nor did Via Calm or Vita Calm or whatever from Tractor Supply. I’ve used Smart Calm Ultra for about 3 mo now on my 5 yr old gelding who was spooky. I literally have not had ONE spook since he has been on it, despite wind, a spooky indoor and even a lesson in 7 degree temps alone in indoor.

[Hayburner]

For my mare who is a very quick mover and can spook at noises, I had her on SP ultra for 9 months and I don’t think it helped. When talking to a SP rep about other sips, I mentioned I didn’t see much improvement with the ultra, she said Harmony would be a better fit for her. Ultra has a lot of magnesium and if she’s not deficient it won’t help the issues. I don’t know if it’s legal, you may need to call SP to see if you can use it. I also give a double does of Mare Magic, not sure if it helps, but she likes it.

[BigMama1]

We’ e had good results in our barn with Feisty Mare by Herbs for Horses, however I believe it is not competition legal in Canada. Would have to check your own rules to be sure.

My favourite calming supplement overall is Hypona MagVet. It’s just a magnesium supplement and it really seems to get rid of the looky / reactive / silly tendencies without maki g the horse full or lazy. And it’s show legal as far as I know.

[TWH_Girl]

It’s going to be trial and error to find one you like that works. I like the higher magnesium levels (10,000mg) vs some that are 2,500 or 5,000. B1 is important as is thiamine. The Smartcalm Ultra also has L-tryptophan.

SP has a Smart Mare formula as well. Or just start with plain old magnesium and see if that takes the edge off.