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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
 
| I have a 14 year old gelding that I assume has had some rough treatment in his past. ON the pattern he is great...makes the same run every time.....nothing spooks him while I am on him....walks through creeks....ponds....loves to work cattle...we have even jumped up deer....coyotes and a red fox and he never flinched...I can even ride him to our hog barns with pigs running everywhere and he just acts like it is no big deal (my other horses have unloaded me at the hog barn) but on the ground he is just a pile of nerves. I can walk in his stall and touch him and his skin crawls....it is so sad and I have never been mean to him. I can tell that someone has at some time or another. Any sudden hand movement by me just scares him really bad and he does not like men. He has nerve damage in one of his ears that my vet thinks was caused by many blows to that ear also. I just want to know what you think is the best calming paste....powder or anything! My vet suggested Thiamine and Tryptophan. He is an own son of FG and some people have told me that is his problem.....but that is very hard to believe. Any help would be appreciated. Have a blessed day! | |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
   
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | Poor guy, I've had good luck with Cur-OST Adapt and Calm along with a clean diet.
Good luck!! | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
| Animal Element Detox could probably help you out. There is also keep cool, vita calm, ex-stress from smartpak. I have heard good results for all of those. I used ex-stress for a while and it showed a dramtic improvement in my jumpy hot mare, then I found the Animal element and its worked just as great if not better. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| https://youtu.be/MPOWUIdohWg
This is him on the pattern....same run every time! Thanks for the help and the choices on something to calm him. He is a different horse in the arena.
Edited by mmfarms 2016-08-17 4:47 PM
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| What are you feeding him? I feel like I've heard of horses with soy sensitivies being jumpy. Could be off base, no personal experience with it but thought I'd heard it.
A friend used tryptophan for a while and it made hers kind of dopey. Lower dose than recommended and he was better. You might end up having to experiment some. I know another gal who had good luck with the feed through Pozzi relax pellets. I would think a pellet or powder formulated for daily usage would be better than a paste meant for stressful events | |
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 Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida |
He sounds like an awesome horse and I'm happy you have him and are trying to help him get over his trauma caused by some idiot! If you keep him long term, he may overcome it, but will have trust issues for quite a while. I had one like this a few years and she did overcome it. When anyone entered the barn, she would fly to the back of the stall and shake, literally, her legs, neck and back, just stand there and shake. People who do these things to horses need to be killed. I'm NOT joking! I spent a lot of time with her in the stall, just standing there, building trust. I'd drink a cup of coffee and read a magazine in the morning in her stall, then pet and love on her. Took a while, but she turned it around.
Meanwhile, the THE calming cookies (and powder) are great, and don't alter their personality or take the run out. Tryptophan will definitely take out the run.
Good luck with your horse! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| OhMax - 2016-08-17 7:03 PM
What are you feeding him? I feel like I've heard of horses with soy sensitivies being jumpy. Could be off base, no personal experience with it but thought I'd heard it.
A friend used tryptophan for a while and it made hers kind of dopey. Lower dose than recommended and he was better. You might end up having to experiment some. I know another gal who had good luck with the feed through Pozzi relax pellets. I would think a pellet or powder formulated for daily usage would be better than a paste meant for stressful events
I feed him bluebonnet. He is fine in the arena on the pattern....just scared on the ground. Thanks for the advice...I appreciate it! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| Runaway - 2016-08-17 7:53 PM
He sounds like an awesome horse and I'm happy you have him and are trying to help him get over his trauma caused by some idiot! If you keep him long term, he may overcome it, but will have trust issues for quite a while. I had one like this a few years and she did overcome it. When anyone entered the barn, she would fly to the back of the stall and shake, literally, her legs, neck and back, just stand there and shake. People who do these things to horses need to be killed. I'm NOT joking! I spent a lot of time with her in the stall, just standing there, building trust. I'd drink a cup of coffee and read a magazine in the morning in her stall, then pet and love on her. Took a while, but she turned it around.
Meanwhile, the THE calming cookies (and powder) are great, and don't alter their personality or take the run out. Tryptophan will definitely take out the run.
Good luck with your horse!
I have had him for almost a year...august 22 is when I purchased him. I don't want something that will take his run out just help him on a daily basis and take the edge off. He is a nice horse but just does not trust humans. It is a sad thing for him and I wish I could read his mind when he gets scared ....better yet I wish he could tell me what happened to him that made him so scared. Thanks for the help Runaway....I will look into that stuff! | |
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Sorry I don't have any advice
Posts: 1975
Location: Sunnyland Florida | mmfarms - 2016-08-17 9:07 PM Runaway - 2016-08-17 7:53 PM
He sounds like an awesome horse and I'm happy you have him and are trying to help him get over his trauma caused by some idiot! If you keep him long term, he may overcome it, but will have trust issues for quite a while. I had one like this a few years and she did overcome it. When anyone entered the barn, she would fly to the back of the stall and shake, literally, her legs, neck and back, just stand there and shake. People who do these things to horses need to be killed. I'm NOT joking! I spent a lot of time with her in the stall, just standing there, building trust. I'd drink a cup of coffee and read a magazine in the morning in her stall, then pet and love on her. Took a while, but she turned it around.
Meanwhile, the THE calming cookies (and powder) are great, and don't alter their personality or take the run out. Tryptophan will definitely take out the run.
Good luck with your horse! I have had him for almost a year...august 22 is when I purchased him. I don't want something that will take his run out just help him on a daily basis and take the edge off. He is a nice horse but just does not trust humans. It is a sad thing for him and I wish I could read his mind when he gets scared ....better yet I wish he could tell me what happened to him that made him so scared. Thanks for the help Runaway....I will look into that stuff!
I just wanted to add that I believe it was about 18-20 months before I had a break-through with mine and she began to look at me in the stall and finally realize I was not going to hurt her. Don't give up on yours, I pray he'll come around too!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| Runaway - 2016-08-17 8:11 PM
mmfarms - 2016-08-17 9:07 PM Runaway - 2016-08-17 7:53 PM
He sounds like an awesome horse and I'm happy you have him and are trying to help him get over his trauma caused by some idiot! If you keep him long term, he may overcome it, but will have trust issues for quite a while. I had one like this a few years and she did overcome it. When anyone entered the barn, she would fly to the back of the stall and shake, literally, her legs, neck and back, just stand there and shake. People who do these things to horses need to be killed. I'm NOT joking! I spent a lot of time with her in the stall, just standing there, building trust. I'd drink a cup of coffee and read a magazine in the morning in her stall, then pet and love on her. Took a while, but she turned it around.
Meanwhile, the THE calming cookies (and powder) are great, and don't alter their personality or take the run out. Tryptophan will definitely take out the run.
Good luck with your horse! I have had him for almost a year...august 22 is when I purchased him. I don't want something that will take his run out just help him on a daily basis and take the edge off. He is a nice horse but just does not trust humans. It is a sad thing for him and I wish I could read his mind when he gets scared ....better yet I wish he could tell me what happened to him that made him so scared. Thanks for the help Runaway....I will look into that stuff!
Thank you so much for offering prayers. Just breaks my heart for him to think I would hurt him in any way. I spend countless hours with him just petting him and trying to make him feel safe. It is a shame he has scary memories that haunt him. I appreciate all the prayers I can get!  | |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Pm me your address and I will send you some Calming Cookies made by THE to try out. It's a sample bag. They also make Calming Powder out of the same ingredients for horses that are too good for the cookies. My bestie that lives close to me is halter breaking one of her husband's skittish/sensitive horses. She wasn't making much progress with him so decided to give him a couple cookies before playing with him. She swears he is a total different horse. She ran out of them and he was not near as friendy. With them, she can pet him all over and pick up his feet without him batting an eye. Without he's watchy and nervous. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| wyoming barrel racer - 2016-08-17 8:54 PM
Pm me your address and I will send you some Calming Cookies made by THE to try out. It's a sample bag. They also make Calming Powder out of the same ingredients for horses that are too good for the cookies. My bestie that lives close to me is halter breaking one of her husband's skittish/sensitive horses. She wasn't making much progress with him so decided to give him a couple cookies before playing with him. She swears he is a total different horse. She ran out of them and he was not near as friendy. With them, she can pet him all over and pick up his feet without him batting an eye. Without he's watchy and nervous.
Wow! Thank you so much for this giving gesture. I will pm my address! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| What a nice guy. How long have you had him? He's really popping his tail, sometimes that's hocks, have you checked those? Horses that haven't had, well shall we say 'nice treatment' take a while to come around. Do you know anything about his history? Patience, and kindness make take a while, but will come around hopefully. Good Luck
Edited by chicks2 2016-08-17 9:39 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| chicks2 - 2016-08-17 9:37 PM
What a nice guy. How long have you had him? He's really popping his tail, sometimes that's hocks, have you checked those? Horses that haven't had, well shall we say 'nice treatment' take a while to come around. Do you know anything about his history? Patience, and kindness make take a while, but will come around hopefully. Good Luck
Had his hocks done just a month ago....Have him chiro every 2 months....I had a vet check done on him when I bought him...and he was good! Vet said some horses pop their tails out of habit. Went over him with a fine tooth comb when I had his hocks injected. I give him a joint supplement every day and OE align also. I have had him a year...on the 22 of this month. He belonged to a girl that did high school rodeo on him. He has had a rough go of it I'm afraid. He is a nice guy. He works hard in the arena for me and does his job well. | |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy.
Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there.
1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day.
2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here.
3. I took him off all processed feed.
4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too.
5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time.
6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated.
7. Chiro and massage.
8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him.
9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him.
10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL)
Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush.
Good luck.
Edited by azsun 2016-08-18 10:59 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM
I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy.
Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there.
1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day.
2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here.
3. I took him off all processed feed.
4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too.
5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time.
6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated.
7. Chiro and massage.
8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him.
9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him.
10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL)
Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush.
Good luck.
Thank so much for the info! I will look into it. I also use treats for him....he is always looking for a treat now. He wants to be loved....he just doesn't trust. I love the oil idea! I rub his face alot and sometimes he will just drop his head like he is relaxing. I use a soft voice also and tell him lots of stories....brush him and just run my hands over his body. For a long time when I would run my hands over his body his whole body would just tighten up.....and his eyes would get big and his heart would pound....I swear it has been the sadest thing. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck.
This is very interesting. Can you elaborate on why you added Magnesium to his diet and what exactly Magnesium is doing for him?  | |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | mmfarms - 2016-08-18 11:12 AM azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck. Thank so much for the info! I will look into it. I also use treats for him....he is always looking for a treat now. He wants to be loved....he just doesn't trust. I love the oil idea! I rub his face alot and sometimes he will just drop his head like he is relaxing. I use a soft voice also and tell him lots of stories....brush him and just run my hands over his body. For a long time when I would run my hands over his body his whole body would just tighten up.....and his eyes would get big and his heart would pound....I swear it has been the sadest thing.
If you are open to the idea of oils I use an oil made by Doterra called Deep Blue. You can get it in a cream. I use it for a massage on my boy. He really enjoys them after a run or after a bath. (Relaxes the muscles. You can buy a 10 packet sample on Amazon for like $10.) | |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 2:24 PM
azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck.
This is very interesting. Can you elaborate on why you added Magnesium to his diet and what exactly Magnesium is doing for him?
Several years ago, I read that magnesium has a calming effect on people and after it was recommended to me by my chiropractor when I mentioned I was having trouble falling asleep I tried it. It worked well for me. It didn't make me sleepy, just a little more relaxed. I started to research horse anxiety and rehabilitating a horse with a history of abuse. I came across an article about magnesium deficiency in horses and some of the the symptoms. It sounded a lot like my horse. (I found it using google). After researching magnesium supplements for horses, I came across Performance Equine's website. I had used their Focus product several years ago when I had a horse that just couldn't focus on the run and had good success with the product (they offered a trial size for $20 so if it didn't work, I didn't have a bag of supplements I couldn't use. They had several articles and testimonials (don't they all) and because I'd had good results with the Focus product, I figured I would give it a try.
Don't get me wrong, he's not suddenly become bombproof, he's still watchy and will spook at the tractor and deck chair near his stall, the difference is he isn't jumping away and trying to run away regardless of who is nearby. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 2:26 PM
mmfarms - 2016-08-18 11:12 AM azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck. Thank so much for the info! I will look into it. I also use treats for him....he is always looking for a treat now. He wants to be loved....he just doesn't trust. I love the oil idea! I rub his face alot and sometimes he will just drop his head like he is relaxing. I use a soft voice also and tell him lots of stories....brush him and just run my hands over his body. For a long time when I would run my hands over his body his whole body would just tighten up.....and his eyes would get big and his heart would pound....I swear it has been the sadest thing.
Thanks! I will have to try that for sure! | |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | azsun - 2016-08-18 2:58 PM IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 2:24 PM azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck. This is very interesting. Can you elaborate on why you added Magnesium to his diet and what exactly Magnesium is doing for him? Several years ago, I read that magnesium has a calming effect on people and after it was recommended to me by my chiropractor when I mentioned I was having trouble falling asleep I tried it. It worked well for me. It didn't make me sleepy, just a little more relaxed. I started to research horse anxiety and rehabilitating a horse with a history of abuse. I came across an article about magnesium deficiency in horses and some of the the symptoms. It sounded a lot like my horse. (I found it using google ). After researching magnesium supplements for horses, I came across Performance Equine's website. I had used their Focus product several years ago when I had a horse that just couldn't focus on the run and had good success with the product (they offered a trial size for $20 so if it didn't work, I didn't have a bag of supplements I couldn't use. They had several articles and testimonials (don't they all ) and because I'd had good results with the Focus product, I figured I would give it a try. Don't get me wrong, he's not suddenly become bombproof, he's still watchy and will spook at the tractor and deck chair near his stall, the difference is he isn't jumping away and trying to run away regardless of who is nearby.
This is very interesting. Thank you for the reply. I will have to use trusty Google to do some research on my own. My horse doesn't have these problems but I find it very interesting how horses respond to different vitamins and minerals. Good for you for finding some relief for your Horse.  | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 3:18 PM
azsun - 2016-08-18 2:58 PM IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 2:24 PM azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck. This is very interesting. Can you elaborate on why you added Magnesium to his diet and what exactly Magnesium is doing for him? Several years ago, I read that magnesium has a calming effect on people and after it was recommended to me by my chiropractor when I mentioned I was having trouble falling asleep I tried it. It worked well for me. It didn't make me sleepy, just a little more relaxed. I started to research horse anxiety and rehabilitating a horse with a history of abuse. I came across an article about magnesium deficiency in horses and some of the the symptoms. It sounded a lot like my horse. (I found it using google ). After researching magnesium supplements for horses, I came across Performance Equine's website. I had used their Focus product several years ago when I had a horse that just couldn't focus on the run and had good success with the product (they offered a trial size for $20 so if it didn't work, I didn't have a bag of supplements I couldn't use. They had several articles and testimonials (don't they all ) and because I'd had good results with the Focus product, I figured I would give it a try. Don't get me wrong, he's not suddenly become bombproof, he's still watchy and will spook at the tractor and deck chair near his stall, the difference is he isn't jumping away and trying to run away regardless of who is nearby.
This is the article that convinced me to add magnesium to an anxious horse I had. It did help.
http://performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-101/magnesium-miner... | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| BamaCanChaser - 2016-08-18 4:06 PM
IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 3:18 PM
azsun - 2016-08-18 2:58 PM IRunOnFaith - 2016-08-18 2:24 PM azsun - 2016-08-18 10:57 AM I have a horse that was severely abused in the past and he has some quirks. Sounds similar to your guy. Here's what I've had success with .. I've come to accept the fact that there are just some things that will always be there. 1. He doesn't like to be hard tied. If he spooks and pulls back and comes is hard tied, he will fight to get away until something breaks. I use one of those ties where they can pull loose. If he starts to pull back and feels he can pull, he stops. I only have to loop his lead to the fence and he'll stand there all day. 2. I treated him for ulcers. Probably the biggest change here. 3. I took him off all processed feed. 4. I added magnesium to his feed. I use the MagRestore crumbles. This made a huge difference - even my farrier said not to take him off. After hearing the progress on magnesium, my vet gave me some biovigor (or something like that to try). This helps too. 5. I never approach him without letting him know I'm coming. I talk to him all the time. 6. I get some debate on this, but it works for me. I give lots of cookies - my guy is very food motivated. 7. Chiro and massage. 8. My farrier is really calm and quiet with him. We don't get farrier work if the wind is blowing - we try to make the experience a positive one for him. 9. No matter what, I try to keep myself calm and not get too excited or rattled about anything around him. 10. Lavender essential oils. I spray some on my hands and his brush to put it on him. (This might actually be more for me! LOL) Sometimes when I go into his stall and he acts afraid, I will just stand there with my back turned a little bit (keeping him in my peripheral vision) and 'ignore' him. He will come up and look for cookies, eventually. I always have to have extra time to take my time. He can tell when I'm in a rush. Good luck. This is very interesting. Can you elaborate on why you added Magnesium to his diet and what exactly Magnesium is doing for him? Several years ago, I read that magnesium has a calming effect on people and after it was recommended to me by my chiropractor when I mentioned I was having trouble falling asleep I tried it. It worked well for me. It didn't make me sleepy, just a little more relaxed. I started to research horse anxiety and rehabilitating a horse with a history of abuse. I came across an article about magnesium deficiency in horses and some of the the symptoms. It sounded a lot like my horse. (I found it using google ). After researching magnesium supplements for horses, I came across Performance Equine's website. I had used their Focus product several years ago when I had a horse that just couldn't focus on the run and had good success with the product (they offered a trial size for $20 so if it didn't work, I didn't have a bag of supplements I couldn't use. They had several articles and testimonials (don't they all ) and because I'd had good results with the Focus product, I figured I would give it a try. Don't get me wrong, he's not suddenly become bombproof, he's still watchy and will spook at the tractor and deck chair near his stall, the difference is he isn't jumping away and trying to run away regardless of who is nearby.
This is the article that convinced me to add magnesium to an anxious horse I had. It did help.
http://performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-101/magnesium-miner...
Wow that was a great article! I had no idea about magnesium! Thank you! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | Love THE Calming Cookies and Calming powder. | |
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Member
Posts: 9
| Try Thunder Mountain Minerals. We are having amazing success with the product. I developed it for this special reason...to calm horses and help with their hoof problems. PM me at tmhorses@gmail.com and I will give you further information. Go to the website and read the testimonials. It is a miracle. http://www.thundermountainminerals.com/
Here is a testimonial from Shawnalee Hinkins:
Hi Sandy,
Thank you for making such a great product! It has worked miracles on my futurity colt! He went from inconsistent, nervous wreck to a quiet and confident competitor! Dr Utley recommended your product, Thunder Mountain Minerals, after we had a bad experience with Fluphenazine. And I am happy to say, he is now drug free and clocking the best times of his young career. He went from running 4D times, not wanting to leave his friends and tying up at races to warming up quietly, walking in the gate, and even clocking in the 1D! I believe the minerals are filling the nutritional gaps he had, and are helping him feel better, so anything I ask of him is a lot easier on him. I now have all my barrel horses and colts on your product, and are seeing amazing results with them too! Not to mention, the incredible hoof growth we are seeing as well! Thank you again!
Shawnalee Hinkins
Owner, Breeder, Trainer
Rainbow Glass Ranch
http://www.rgrhorses.com/
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What you use to "CALM" your horse...need input please