Many sport horses suffer from serious tension in a strange location. This can be annoying during competitions, because the horse cannot perform at its normal level due to the stress. In addition, excessive tension can lead to dangerous situations, for the horse, rider and other riders in the ring. To reduce this tension, there are some doping-free tranquilizers.
All these resources are doping free and therefore allowed at competitions, both national and international. They are not intended to anaesthetize the horse as, say, a vet would, but help overcome the worst tension to drain and let the horse react more calmly. This way the animal can concentrate better on its rider and better performance can be obtained.
Cavalor Calm, SoZen and Take it Easy
In addition to its traditional horse feeds, food manufacturer Cavalor also has an extensive line of care products and nutritional supplements. The range also includes three calming agents: Calm, SoZen and Take it Easy. The purpose of these three products is the same, but the effect is slightly different each time.
Calm works especially with horses that are under very tension spooky be and fast startle. These types of horses find the environment especially scary and look at everything around them, so that their concentration decreases. It is a drug that can be given for longer periods and not only in a stress situation such as a competition. SoZen is more suitable for horses that get nervous and hot. These horses can become explosive due to their ‘hotness’ or just close off from the rider aids.This product is more suitable to give just before the exciting situation, for example in the morning before departure to the competition location. Both products are sold in powder form and must be mixed with the feed. Take it Easy is one soothing paste which is also mainly used for acute stress, such as for transportation or for shaving.
Julian and Jones Relax and Easy
Relax and Easy from Julian and Jones is a powder that, like the Cavalor Calm, can be used for a longer period of time. It is not the intention to give this supplement for the first time on the day of the competition, because it takes a few days to work in. So if you still want to use the product as a calming agent for a one-off situation, it is best to give it three days in advance.
Confidence EQ
Confidence EQ is a gel based on pheromones. Unlike the previous products, this is not a dietary supplement as it must be applied in and around the nose. The pheromones mimic the signal that a mare gives to her nursing foal, and so gives the horse trust in a stressful environment. The horse instinctively recognizes this signal, so that it will relax more quickly.
Magnesium
In horses that are generally very nervous, it is common magnesium fed. Magnesium can be given pure or as a component of a dietary supplement. Magnesium is less suitable for acute stress, but is good for horses that are always hot, excited or spooky. Supplements containing magnesium include Pavo Nerv Control, Synovium Mgnium and Excellent Stress Mix.
General nutrition
For horses that are sensitive to stress, it can be interesting not only to work with supplements, but also because of it concentrate to adjust. There are several bag foods on the market that have a general calming effect, such as Cavalor Pianissimo and Pavo Energy Control.
