Speaking to the horse slowly, in a tone that is a few octaves lower than your normal speaking voice can also assuage your companion. Have your voice mimic your calm and relaxed body language. Supplements such as Finish Line's Quia-cal can also aid in calming an anxious horse.
Two herbs commonly found in calming products are valerian root and chamomile, both reported to soothe edginess and function as a sleep aid, although valerian is the stronger of the two and is considered a banned substance by some equine associations.
Fibrous feeds that are fermented in the hindgut to release energy are the most natural and also the 'coolest' sources of energy for horses. Using forages like pasture, hay, and chaff to provide the majority of the energy in your horse's diet will help to keep your horse calm and responsive.
Let the horse release some of its nervous energy by giving it a simple and familiar task. Doing one or two basic training exercises or going for a brisk trot can put your horse's attention elsewhere and lessen their anxiety. “He [the horse] can think of just one thing at a time,” said Zdenek.
Grab gently at the base of your horse's mane. Gently wiggle the muscle side-by-side. Gradually move from your horse's poll down to its withers while doing this. This will help to loosen this muscle and relieve tension through the topline.
Magnesium helps nerve cells transmit signals to each other and to muscles by regulating ion balance across cell membranes. It is thought to have a calming effect on horses, helping to ease muscle tremors and nervousness.
Magnesium plays an important role in nerve and muscle function. Horses deficient in this vital mineral often show signs of nervousness, wariness, excitability, jumpiness, tight sore backs (not related to saddle fit), muscle tremors, and hypersensitive skin – our products can help.
Magnesium deficiency and excess in horses
Excessive magnesium will be excreted in the urine, but overdoses have been linked to decreased calcium and phosphorus uptake, compromised intestinal integrity, heart conduction problems and renal trouble, so it's important not to over supplement.
Too much magnesium in the blood (hypermagnesemia) is rare, but horses receiving excessive doses of magnesium sulfate for constipation may show signs of sweating, muscle weakness, and rapid heartbeat and breathing rate. Cardiac arrest can occur with very high blood magnesium levels.
The fight against the horse's worst enemy: the fly.
Grass – horses love grass. It's their natural food and great for their digestive system (although beware of your horse eating too much lush grass in spring as this can cause laminitis).
The primary signs of nervous system disorders include behavioral changes, seizures, tremors, pain, numbness, lack of coordination, and weakness or paralysis of one or more legs. The effects of an injury on sensory and motor functions depend on its location and severity.
The number one trust builder is to be predictable by being consistent! Be consistent with your energy level, emotions, and how you show up around your horse. Stay consistent with your communication, always sending and receiving messages in the same way — a way that both you and your horse clearly understand.
What is labelled disrespect usually involves things the horse does that the person does not like: crowding space, ignoring cues, barging over the person, standing too close, biting, kicking, pinning ears, rubbing his head on the person, not standing still, turning hindquarters towards the person, spooking and not ...
Horses that are unhappy often have tense nostrils that appear very thin. If his nostrils are relaxed, it is a sign your horse is happy and content. Another sign of happiness is a relaxed tail. If the tail is constantly moving back and forwards, it may signify that your horse is stressed.
Furthermore, horses live in a social herd intrinsically and have great social cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is considered that horses have developed sensitivity to emotional human social cues, which is supported by some studies.
Sensitive horses usually have a healthy degree of forwardness, react well to light and subtle aids, and are usually obedient in a concerted effort to do everything right. That is one side of the coin. On the other side they are quick to take offense at anything and everything they don't understand.