Chill Out! Does Your Horse Need a Calming Supplement?

In today’s world, where horses are carefully managed and cared for, it’s easy to forget that they are still prey animals instinctively wired to “run first, think later.” This natural flight response is essential for wild mustangs, where survival depends on reacting quickly to potential threats. However, when you saddle up for a relaxing trail ride with friends, the last thing you want is a horse that’s overly reactive and seems to spook at every little thing.

Some horses are naturally more high-strung than others and may become tense or anxious in situations that might not phase a more laid-back horse. If you have a nervous horse, you may have wondered whether there’s a way to help “take the edge off” without resorting to drugs or sedatives.

This is where calming supplements come into play for many horse owners. There’s a wide range of products on the market that are formulated with ingredients intended to support a more relaxed demeanor, better focus and minimize reactivity in horses. These supplements come in various forms, including powders, pellets, pastes, liquids and wafers, and can be added to the daily grain ration or administered directly, depending on the product.

However, it’s important to note that not all calming supplements are created equal. What works for a friend’s nervous gelding may not have the same effect on your reactive mare. That’s why it’s important to consult your veterinarian and do your own research to review ingredients and understand how they may support the horse’s nervous system and behavior. While online reviews can offer helpful insight, results can vary widely from horse to horse, and no calming supplement works the same way for every individual.

Common Ingredients

Calming supplements often contain a variety of ingredients, including herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The most common minerals found in calming supplements are magnesium, zinc and calcium because they each play roles in nerve and muscle function, which can influence a horse’s reactivity and stress response. Magnesium plays a key role in nerve and muscle function to suppoprt a relaxed state, while a proper balance between calcium and magnesium is important for maintaining normal muscle function and steady behavior. Zinc supports nervous system health and can influence how a horse responds to stress. Vitamins, such as thiamine (a B-complex vitamin), is also used frequently to help manage stress and support a more balanced nervous system, which can contribute to a calmer demeanor. Vitamin C is also sometimes used for its role in supporting the body’s natural response to stress.

Another popular ingredient is the amino acid, tryptophan, which cannot be produced by the horse’s body and must be obtained through the diet. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation and known as the “anti-stress” hormone.

Calming supplements may also include herbs, such as valerian root and chamomile, both traditionally used to support relaxation and help ease nervous tension. Valerian root is considered to be the stronger of the two herbs, and is thought to influence neurotransmitters in the brain, which may help maintain a calmer state and reduce reactivity in some horses. However, due to its potency, it is classified as a prohibited substance by many equine associations. Chamomile is used to help ease nervousness, support relaxation and digestive comfort.

Calming supplements often combine multiple ingredients to create a more comprehensive approach to supporting balanced behavior. Because each ingredient may target a different pathway invovled with relaxation and behavior, multi-ingredient formulas, such as Farnam’s Quietex™ II and Quietex™ Show supplements, are designed to provide broader support than single-ingredient products.

Quietex™ II products are formulated to help horses stay calm and focused during training sessions, events, trail rides, trailering, vet and farrier visits, or other stressful situations without causing drowsiness or hindering performance. Available in economical pellets or paste for fast, convenient calming support, it combines several stress-relieving ingredients – L-tryptophan, thiamine, inositol, magnesium, vitamin B6 and valerian root extract – to help maintain normal stress levels and balanced behavior.

Quietex™ Show products provide show-safe, herb-free calming and focusing support designed to help performance horses stay calm, composed and relaxed when nervous or unsettled in the show ring during competitions, busy show environments or training activities. Formulated to support normal stress levels, balanced behavior and cognitive function without sedation or hindering athletic ability. The paste includes key calming ingredients – magnesium, EPA, DHA, zinc, vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 – to provide fast, convenient stress relief, while the pellets also adds prebiotics to leverage the two-way communication between the gut and the brain to address behavior, cognition and performance.

If you decide to use a calming supplement, give it a “trial period” of about one month to evaluate how your horse responds. If you don’t get the desired results, you can discontinue use and try another. Avoid using more than one calming supplement at a time. Combining products may lead to unwanted interactions and makes it difficult to deterimine which formula or ingredient is effective for your horse.

Look at Big Picture

Before starting your horse on a calming supplement, you may want to take a closer look at your horse’s overall management. In many cases, adjustments in certain areas can greatly reduce your horse’s level of tension and unease. For example, diet plays an important role in a horse’s behavior and overall demeanor.

“High-starch feeds can make a horse more ‘high,’ ” notes Faith Hughes, DVM, DACVS, who has been with Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, Florida’s largest equine veterinary hospital, since 1991.

“There are many gut-related reasons to feed a low-starch, high-fiber, high-fat diet if your horse needs additional calories. One reason is that these types of feeds are easier on the digestive system and produce less gas during digestion, which supports gut health,” says Dr. Hughes.

“One of the main benefits of this type of diet is that horses often become noticeably calmer, and in some cases, the change can be fairly dramatic. They also tend to have more steady, sustained energy,” says Dr. Hughes. “If I were advising a client on how to help calm their horse, I would first recommend transitioning to a low-starch, high-fiber, high-fat feed, as most commercial feeds offer this type of formula. Secondly, I would recommend considering a calming supplelment.”

Other management practices – such as stabling routines and turnout – can also contribute to significant stress and tension. A horse may feel intimidated by a more dominant neighbor in an adjacent stall or paddock, even with a barrier in between. Pay close attention to how your horse interacts with nearby horses; repeated behaviors from a neighboring horse, like pinned ears or kicking the wall, can create a stressful environment. In some cases, rearranging stall assignments may be necessary for a more peaceful barn.

The same applies during turnout. Watch closely to observe herd dynamics when horses are turned out together. Horses that are lower in the pecking order and constantly getting pushed around can experience ongoing stress, and it may be beneficial to adjust turnout groups or provide individual turnout to help reduce anxiety.

It’s also important to consider a horse’s training background if he’s routinely nervous. Some horses become upset because they lack a solid foundation and may not fully understand what’s being asked of them. Working with a professional trainer can help build confidence, improve communication, and ensure your horse has the skills he needs to feel more secure and relaxed.

If your horse has a stable vice, such as weaving, stall walking or cribbing, a calming product may offer some support, but it won’t address the root cause. These behaviors are often linked to stress, boredom, or environmental factors, so it’s important to identify what may be triggering them and make appropriate changes to your horses routine or surroundings.

“Sometimes we rush to treat issues with drugs or supplements without taking the time to understand what’s causing the problem,” notes Dr. Hughes. “Management, social interaction, environment, and diet all have a significant impact on a horse’s level of calmness. It’s important to take a step back and evaluate the whole picture to identify the source of stress. While calming supplements can be beneficial, they work best when combined with good management, consistent training, and a supportive environment.”