I have a 12yo Appendix QH gelding who we rescued from neglect last year. He is very green, but still amazing to ride! So willing and never does anything bad. He‘s just MELLOW at home and at shows when I‘m on him. On the ground is another story. He‘s so anxious, even at home. It seems to be quite a bit just his nature and probably a bit of anxiety he picked up being with his old owners who weren‘t all that nice to him, but never rode him. A few knowledgeable people who know him well (one even used to own him 3 years back) have recommended trying a calming supplement to help with his anxiety, but I‘m worried it will make him to mellow under saddle (as he is a timed jumper). What is your experience with calming supplements? Does it just take the edge off, or will it minimize their energy levels? Would it help his situation with anxiety on the ground, but not make him lazy under saddle? Thanks!
A calming supplement will not help the problem entirely. There is no supplement out there that can help with your horse's nerves. He's not confident. It's in both of your best interest to do a lot of ground work! Ground work is the best way to go. Some horses are just anxious on the ground. It can be fixed, but using a supplement is not a good route to take.
A regular herbal supplement is Dodson and Horrels Placid, this is full of calming herbs and can take a slight edge of a spirited horse, it is completely legal, it is about ?15 for one tub. I feed a lot more than recommended. Nupa Fed is fed daily and is also given inaddition in syringe form on competing days, or just for hacking if necessary. This is expensive but does work. It is completely legal for FEI competitions. The recommended doses work. These two are the only ones I have found that work, without resorting to heavier stuff, ACP etc. A new idea is that magnesium is a calmer, so any supplement with that in may work as well.
