Valerian Root is an herb with specific actions on the nervous system. It helps maintain a healthy nervous system and balance in horses displaying nervous/anxious behavior. **Valerian root is a banned substance in many organizations, always check competition guidelines regarding its usage.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) plays a role in supporting carbohydrate metabolism and normal muscle and nerve function. Thiamine supplementation has been shown to have a calming effect in horses displaying anxious/nervous behavior as a result thiamine deficiency and/or increased requirements.
Tryptophan is an amino acid, converted by the body into serotonin, melatonin, and other hormones that transmit nerve signals in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in the horse’s brain that helps promote feelings of well-being/contentment as well as balanced behavior.
Taurine is an amino acid found in high concentrations in electrically active tissues such as the brain, heart, retina and muscle. It stabilizes membranes and assists in the movement of electrolytes in and out of cells, which is critical for proper nervous system and muscle health. Taurine is necessary for the absorption of fats and vitamins and helps support normal insulin and glucose levels. It can be found in supplements for growing horses, nervous horses and horses with metabolic issues.
Inositol is closely related to the B-vitamin family and is found in nearly every cell in the body. Because of its location within the cell membrane, it plays two major roles: transporting fats and assisting in nerve transmission. By participating in the action of serotonin, a neurotransmitter whose brain levels are known to be a factor in excess anxiety, inositol may be helpful in promoting a healthy balanced behavior in horses.
My gelding is a great horse at home and most of the time when we travel. He has difficulty in large indoor coliseum type arenas. He will do things he normally never do such as hollow/tense his back, spook and cross fire. Will this product help to take the edge off?
MVP: If your horse is generally well behaved at home, you might consider a calming support product that can be given on an occasional basis, such as Calmex-V Paste, which is designed for use during stressful situations such as travel or clinics. The paste should be administered orally 2 to 4 hours prior to an event, and may be fed in addition to a daily serving of Calmex-V or Calmex for additional support. *Please note that if you are competing, we do recommend checking your competition rulings regarding the use of valerian root.
My mare seems to be a bit better on Calmex-V paste when we go to a clinic but she still seems agitated, is there anything else that might help her? She just isn’t herself and it seems like she can’t help it.
MVP: Great question! Your mare could very likely be suffering from gastric upset. Often times this anxious behavior may be due to an increased level of gastric acid produced during periods of stress. We would recommend using the Gastro-Plex™ paste for as-needed support. Gastro-Plex™ paste works in part, by coating the stomach lining and in turn provides leverage against the abrasiveness of gastric juices. You can use it with the Calmex-V paste if needed for additional support.