SmartCalm Ultra?

[Draftmare]

To add to my current feeding woes, I have noticed that my mare has been leaving her magnesium supplement behind when eating. I am not sure why she has suddenly taken objection to it after cleaning her pan out for the past two years that she has been on it. I am hoping that with a bit more time she might settle into the new barn and start eating it again, but if that doesn’t happen I am looking for alternatives, probably something that comes in a pellet so she can’t skirt around eating it.

Right now I am thinking that my best bet is going to be SmartCalm Ultra, it has the dose closest to what she is getting now without spending a small fortune every month to get it. Anybody have any input on it? Most of the SmartPak reviews are positive (I love that they allow people to post bad reviews too) on their website, while places that aren’t there website seem to have a less positive view of it.

[FindersKeepers]

I used it for a year for a hot, dumb, spooky TB mare. (I say dumb with all the love in my heart. She really was/is. I sold her to a brave 14 year old.)

I did not notice anything positive, truthfully. She actually calmed a bit when I took her off of it. That was short lived though and could have been the result of something else.

[Draftmare]

@Stitch In Time

If you only need magnesium and not the other ingredients you could try MagRestore, its sold in a pellet or powder.

MagRestore was going to be too expensive. $80 a month for what they recommended I give her.

[JB]

What Mg supplement are you using now?

[PNWjumper]

I used SmartCalm on a horse I had that tended to get a bit worried at shows. It made him significantly worse. But to be fair to the supplement, I subsequently figured out that the horse had a serious “allergy” (or reactivity?) to alfalfa, and SmartCalm is made from an alfalfa base. Turned out with this horse that even the tiniest bit of alfalfa sent him into a bad place. So if your horse is “normal” (meaning not allergic to alfalfa) then I’m sure it’s fine. It definitely wasn’t fine for my guy, though!

[Draftmare]

@JB

What Mg supplement are you using now?

A 56% Magnesium Oxide that I was getting from the feedmill.

[JB]

Maybe try MVP’s Magnesium 5000? It’s a nice soft pellet that doesn’t smell nearly as mineraly as MagOx smells.

[leheath]

I have fed SmartCalm Ultra to 4 horses, including my current mare. It made no difference for one and significant improvements for the 3 others. Current horse was just “twitchy” - easily started by things around her (not really spooky per se) and a little tight overall. SmartCalm Ultra made the twitchiness go away completely and she was more relaxed in general. The other two horses just seemed tight and reactive physically and mentally. SmartCalm Ultra significantly improved that so they seemed much more relaxed overall. The pellets have been palatable for all four horses, but none were particularly picky eaters. The three that needed it were also prone to ulcers, which are often associated with magnesium deficiency, so it didn’t surprise me that they needed a magnesium supplement. I am very careful to only introduce one new supplement or management practice at a time when dealing with horse issues, so I am very confident of their effects (or lack thereof) when I use them. I don’t waste money on things that I don’t think are making a difference.

[lintesia]

SmartCalm Ultra made my horse even more nervous. There is something in the SmartPak formulation that had that effect on him – I had the same problem with the SmartPak hoof supplement.

I second MagRestore. Even it may look pricy, you might find that you need to give much less than what is recommended. My gelding received a scant scoop (and it’s a tiny scoop!) each day for the desired result.

[findeight]

The manufacturers of all this stuff as well as animal food can and do change the formulation and ingredients. It’s a nasty surprise when they quit eating the stuff. Be It dog, cat or horse eating the same thing for months or years then suddenly, carefully eating around it or turning up their nose at the whole meal.

BTDT with all three species. Annoying at best, gets expensive too. Try another brand if she is mag deficient and her behavior measurably improves when on it. If she’s not been tested and proven deficient, skip it…,expensive piss.

[Draftmare]

She needs the magnesium to help with the symptoms of her PSSM. When she isn’t feeling good she tends to be spooky, and adding magnesium seems to really help that and help her overall comfort.

[quietann]

@JB

Maybe try MVP’s Magnesium 5000? It’s a nice soft pellet that doesn’t smell nearly as mineraly as MagOx smells.

This is a very economical alternative and most horses will eat it right up IME.

SmartCalm Ultra was “too much” for my mare, who is a bit of a worrier. Over the years, I’ve used SmartCalm, MVP Magnesium 5000, and a half-dose of Quiessence. She’s currently on the last of these and we’re all happy A full dose of Quiessence was too much. It also has chromium, which is supposed to help “metabolic” horses, and since she’s a nearly 19-year old Morgan, she’s at risk for that.

[Draftmare]

@quietann

This is a very economical alternative and most horses will eat it right up IME.

SmartCalm Ultra was “too much” for my mare, who is a bit of a worrier. Over the years, I’ve used SmartCalm, MVP Magnesium 5000, and a half-dose of Quiessence. She’s currently on the last of these and we’re all happy A full dose of Quiessence was too much. It also has chromium, which is supposed to help “metabolic” horses, and since she’s a nearly 19-year old Morgan, she’s at risk for that.

Actually chromium can be very harmful for metabolic horses. Most people with metabolic horses are told to stay away from Quiessence because of the chromium in it.

[Draftmare]

I am almost wishing that I had gone with the MVP 5000, but the SmartCalm Ultra is suppose to be here tomorrow. Oh well. I guess I will see where it gets us.