Supporting Your Horse’s Calmness and Safety in Stressful Situations

Horses, as "fright and flight" animals, can be easily excitable and stressed, especially in unfamiliar situations like new environments, competitions, or during fireworks. Managing their well-being in such conditions is essential to prevent distractions and maintain focus. Nutritional support with natural calmers can help ease their nerves and support a balanced, calm demeanour.

Key Nutrients in Calm-Enhancing Supplements

Magnesium: A critical mineral for nerve function and muscle relaxation, magnesium deficiency can heighten neuro-muscular excitability, increasing anxious behaviour. Ensuring an adequate magnesium level helps horses stay calm and focused.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Vital for nerve signal transmission and energy production, thiamine aids in maintaining calmness and focus under pressure.

L-Tryptophan: This essential amino acid is important for producing serotonin, which is linked to mood regulation. For anxious or high-strung horses, supplements containing L-tryptophan help support their daily serotonin needs.

Calcium: Working in tandem with magnesium, calcium is fundamental for proper muscle and nerve function.

Chasteberry Extract (Vitex Agnus Castus): Known to help balance mood-regulating hormones, this natural compound can reduce irritability and muscle tension, aiding calm behaviour.

Chamomile: Traditionally used for its calming effects, chamomile provides additional soothing support.

Choosing the Right Calming Supplement

Selecting the right calmer depends on your horse's needs and the timing of stressful events. Calming supplements like Super So Kalm are available in a paste and powder form, offering flexibility in use. It  can be added to feed to promote ongoing calmness, ideal for training or home use. For one-off stressful events, Super So Kalm Paste is convenient for direct oral use, with effectiveness peaking 1.5-2 hours after administration.

Importantly, calmers are not sedatives but natural aids that support the nervous system without affecting alertness, making them suitable for competitions under FEI and Racing Rules.

Fireworks Safety Tips

In Dubai, fireworks are a key feature during several major events throughout the year. Like:

• New Year's Eve - with multiple locations like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Festival City.
• Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) - held annually, DSF often includes fireworks shows across popular sites such as Al Seef, The Beach at JBR, and Bluewaters Island, generally from late December through January.
• Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha – in  locations like Dubai Parks and Resorts during these important celebrations.
• Diwali - celebrated with fireworks at multiple venues including Dubai Festival City and Bluewaters​.

For horses, these events can be particularly stressful due to the frequency and intensity of displays, especially around New Year's Eve and DSF. Planning ahead can help reduce anxiety.

Here are some tips to keep them calm and safe during displays:

Provide Distractions: Keep your horse engaged with ample forage (such as hay), or with treats, licks, and safe toys to provide comfort.

Minimize Noise and Light: Use a radio to cover loud bangs, and keep stable lights on to reduce the visual impact of flashing lights. For additional noise reduction, consider earplugs designed for horses.

Gradual Acclimation: To minimize stress, introduce changes such as stabling adjustments or noise exposure from radios well before fireworks events, allowing your horse time to acclimate.

Stay Calm: Horses can pick up on human anxiety, so stay composed to help them feel secure.

For horses with known adverse reactions to fireworks, consult your vet to develop an individualized management plan.

Super So Kalm, available in paste and powder form, is an effective choice for managing fireworks stress, particularly when used in advance or as a supplementary “top up” for anticipated events. Its natural ingredients provide optimal support without compromising alertness, making it a valuable addition for any horse's well-being during stressful situations.

For any questions or personalized guidance, please contact our sales team: sales@thevet.group