For many horses, a calming supplement can be a helpful part of a bigger routine, but what worked brilliantly last year won't always suit your horse this year. Life stage, routine, companions and even the season can all change how your horse feels. If you're second-guessing your horse's calming routine, our simple self-check below will help you work out what's changed and what to review next.
It's a really common worry. Your horse settled beautifully when you first started a calmer, but lately the old behaviour is creeping back. Is the calmer not working any more? Or has something else shifted? More often than not, it's the latter.
Key takeaways
- A calming supplement for horses works best alongside good management, not instead of it.
- Changes in age, routine, companions or workload can all affect how calm your horse is.
- Review your horse's calming routine at least once a season.
- Any sudden change in behaviour needs a vet check first.
Do horse calmers work?
Calmers can work well for many horses, especially when especially when fed alongside an appropriate diet and paired with correct management practices. A calmer supports your horse but it doesn't replace proper management and training. If a horse is reactive because of pain or anxious due to a big change in their life, a calmer alone won't solve that.
Calmers come in lots of forms. Some are herbal, using plants like chamomile, lemon balm or vervain. Others focus on nutrients such as magnesium, which plays a part in normal nerve and muscle function. Some combine both.
There's no single best horse calmer for every horse. The "best" one is the one that suits your horse's diet, workload and the reason for reactivity. That's why reviewing the whole picture matters more than simply swapping products.
How long should a calmer take to work?
How long a calmer takes to work depends on what's in it and on your horse. Some owners notice a difference within days, while others find it takes a few weeks of consistent feeding. Always follow the feeding guidelines with the correct dosage and keep notes so you can see real progress rather than relying on memory.
It's worth being patient. If you change several things at once (a new calmer, a new field, a new rider), it's impossible to tell what's making the difference. Where you can, make one change at a time.
What changes can affect how calm my horse is?
Lots of everyday changes can affect your horse's temperament. Age, new stressors, a change of routine, losing or gaining a companion, shorter days and more stable time are all common culprits. A calming routine that suited your horse in summer may need a rethink by autumn simply because their world looks different.
Here are the big ones to think about:
- Life stage. A young horse starting work, a mare's natural cycles or an older horse slowing down can all change how your horse copes.
- Routine. A new yard, new turnout times or a switch from living out to more stabling. World Horse Welfare recommends introducing autumn stabling gradually and watching for signs of stress (World Horse Welfare).
- Companions. A field friend leaving, a new herd member or being turned out alone. If your horse has lost a companion recently, our guide to helping a horse after losing a field companion may help.
- Workload. More competing, a new discipline, or less work over winter.
- Diet. A new feed, forage or grazing can change energy levels and gut balance. We explore that link in how gut health links to behaviour in anxious horses.
- The season. Wind, rain, fireworks and dark evenings bring their own challenges.
Your calming routine self-check
Work through these questions and jot down your answers. If you tick "yes" to any of them, it's a sign something has shifted and your horse's routine may need a review.
- Has your horse's behaviour changed suddenly or become out of character?
- Has there been a change of yard, stable, field or turnout time in the last few months?
- Has a companion left, or has your horse joined a new herd?
- Has your horse's workload changed?
- Have you changed their feed, forage or grazing recently?
- Is your horse spending more time stabled?
- Are they moving into a new life stage, such as starting work or getting older?
- Are you feeding the calmer at the recommended feeding rate, every day?
- Are there new triggers, like fireworks, building work or a new dog on the yard?
- Has your own routine changed, meaning less time with your horse or a different rider?
Once you've been through the list, look for patterns. Often the answer isn't that the calmer has stopped working, but that your horse's needs have changed.
When should I review my horse's calming routine?
Review your horse's calming routine at least once a season, following any big life changes. Autumn is a great moment for a check-in, as more stabling, shorter days and fireworks season all arrive at once. A quick review now can help you plan ahead rather than react after a tricky week.
A good review looks at the whole routine, not just the supplement:
- Is your horse getting enough forage, turnout and time with friends?
- Does their feed suit their current workload?
- Are their tack, teeth and feet all checked and comfortable?
- Is the calmer being fed consistently at the right amount?
When should I speak to my vet or a nutritionist?
Speak to your vet if your horse's behaviour changes suddenly, gets steadily worse, or comes with other signs like weight loss, a dull coat, changes in droppings or reluctance to work. Pain is one of the most common reasons for behaviour changes, so ruling it out comes first. A nutritionist can then help you review the diet as a whole.
It's also worth getting advice if you compete, as some ingredients may be restricted under competition rules. Always check anything you feed with your governing body.
Questions to ask your vet or nutritionist:
- Could pain or discomfort be behind the change?
- Does my horse's diet suit their workload and temperament?
- Is there anything in the current routine that might be adding stress?
- What should I change first, and how long should I give it?
FAQ
Can a horse get used to a calmer?
Many owners feel their horse stops responding to a calmer over time, but often it's the horse's circumstances that have changed. New stressors, a change in routine or a different workload can make it seem like the calmer has stopped working. Run through the self-check above before deciding to change anything.
Should I stop the calmer over winter?
It depends on your horse. Some horses need more support in winter, while others do not. Keep notes on how your horse copes. If removing a calmer from the diet, reduce the amount given gradually to monitor behaviour changes.
Your horse's needs change as their life does, and that's completely normal. A regular check-in keeps their routine working for them, season after season. You can find more ideas in our range of natural horse calming supplements.
References
- World Horse Welfare. Changing horses' routines.
About the author
Alexandra Frazer, Founder of EquiNutritive, BSc Equine Science. Alexandra is the equine scientist behind EquiNutritive's natural, science-backed nutrition for horses.