Hey guys, haven't posted in a looooong time. I need help! My sweet gelding is a little spooky at races. At home, he runs a nice pattern but today we hauled out for time onlies and he was stopping and watching everything-I didn't run just went at his pace cause I don't want him to get so stressed he doesn't like his job. . I'm okay with this, but know he is nervous. I lunged him at the race, he had breakfast 2 hrs before, I gave him Perfect Prep (calming supplement) . I would say in comparison to a year ago, he is so much better but obviously would like to hear others experiences. I know a lot of this is just seasoning. What oral pastes/sedatives I can get from my vet would work? 

Don't flame me . Lol so since you asked....... the first option is to try and eliminate sugar / carbs out of his diet . If he is on sweet feed , molasses, soy, inflammatory diet , forage based is best. You can use a magnesium supplement as well . If still not what your looking for , ask your vet, there are options . I have used a little ace in the past with good results . Your vet can discuss those options and few others 

Ace. I give my gelding .25 cc orally 30 minutes out. It makes a whale of a difference. Guanabenz works well too. I gave .3 cc im. 45 minutes out. 
 
All zipped up in my flame suit. Ready for the hot comments about drugging. <insert eye roll>

Could he possibly have EPM?  

I'd rather have a horse a little relaxed on his first few trips to town than a basket case as long as it's because he needs help rather than it being a crutch due to lack of training. 

No flame retardant needed. 

AGREE---we like to give them just a little their first few trips to town. Want it to be a good experience right from the get go.

I had a mare get on the muscle when I started hauling her, I gave guanabenz oral paste (vet) and it helped her a ton! 

Anything I can do to make it a positive experience, she didn't require it after a few shows 

This is what I use, if I have a nervous horse....anywhere I haul, I rub this in their nostrils and wait about 20 minutes. Works well for my girls

Sedivet is my go-to. And the couch jockies are gonna judge regardless so you do you.

Chlorapromazine, given orally. A few times using this taught my horse that a trail ride would not kill him.

wet saddle blankets   and i am gonna misspell reserptine  but it does not work on all horse  go to a jackpot roping   load and go places

don/t keep him in a stall 

My horse has general anxiety and the vet proscribed her fluoxitine. Its not a sedative and its something you give them everyday. She has been on it for over a month now and it has made a huge difference. This was after already ruling out pain, ulcers, teeth, etc. I had tried using ace on her in the past but she would just sweat it out in half an hour and it didn't really help her.

Why is it a bad thing he is nervous?

Now maybe you can provide more details but sounds like this horse hasn't been hauled a whole lot? If so, you can't blame him for being nervous in a new place. This is part of the training process. I myself don't use sedatives. Because ultimately, this is a matter of training.  I do what I can to create the best experience possible for the horse. Find "good things" to praise them on. Every horse is different.  It just takes time. Be patient. JMO.