Last Updated: 05/06/2025
Find out which calming supplement is best for your highly strung horse while you train them to become braver and less reactive.
Author: Dr Maree Monaghan BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 47 minutes - long read
Working with horses can be downright dangerous at times, particularly when the horse you are dealing with is hot, sensitive or anxious. When a horse is stressed and goes into "fight or flight" mode, their first instinct as a prey animal is to run. This response is not desirable if they are around humans.
Horses generally fall into two broad categories - those that are usually calm and tractable but react to certain situations and those that are always highly strung. If you own or care for the second type of horse, you may be considering using a calming supplement to help "take the edge off them" while you train them to become braver and less reactive.
Many people reach for a calming supplement for their horse without fully investigating the cause of their horse's undesirable behaviour. A horse that has become boisterous due to a sudden growth of fresh green grass in their paddock is very unlikely to respond to a calming supplement as this change is due to increased energy levels in the diet. Conversely, a horse in heavy training on a high grain diet that is stressed and has hindgut acidosis may not be producing enough thiamine in the hindgut and would benefit from a thiamine supplement.
A calming supplement should contain ingredients that have been scientifically proven to produce the desired effects in the target species - horses. The huge cost of testing substances in horses means that it can be difficult to find scientific evidence to support the benefits of commonly used ingredients in calming supplements.
The most common ingredients found in calming supplements are Tryptophan, Magnesium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Other B vitamins such as Vit B2 (Riboflavin), Vit B3 (Niacin) and Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) as well as Vit E, herbs, and probiotics may also be added. If you know how these ingredients work, then you will be able to make a better choice of calming supplements to suit your horse.
This is an essential amino acid that is required for the production of serotonin. Serotonin in horses is used in times of stress to send signals to the digestive tract muscles causing them to contract and empty the gut to prepare for a fight or flight response (the giant poo when they get on the float!). Serotonin also has a role as a neurotransmitter in the part of the brain responsible for maintaining a calm attitude. Although most calming supplements contain tryptophan, there is very little scientific evidence to suggest that it is beneficial and, at low doses, it may even cause excitation.
B vitamins are water soluble and, unlike fat soluble vitamins, they are not stored in the body. Horses get B vitamins from hay, pasture and the actions of hindgut bacteria and these vitamins play a role in the function of the nervous system. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is often included in calming supplements, however, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that it has a calming effect. B vitamin supplementation can be useful for horses that are under stress from heavy work, travel or illness.
Magnesium is an essential mineral for horses and, rarely, they can suffer from magnesium deficiency from low levels in their diet. The symptoms of mild magnesium deficiency can include nervous behaviour, tight muscles (tying up) and hypersensitivity. Supplementation with magnesium is warranted if a horse is found to be magnesium deficient.
Chamomile contains a variety of medicinal substances and has been used for centuries to treat many different human ailments. Scientific research has shown that substances in Chamomile act in the brain in a similar way to medications that are used to treat anxiety in humans. Chamomile can be useful in horses that suffer from digestive upsets such as diarrhoea or colic that are due to stress. It works by decreasing inflammation in the lining of the gut and relieving spasms of gut muscles.
Four factors to consider when choosing a calming supplement for your horse:
Our Pet Circle Vet Squad comprises 30 vets with over 120 years of collective, independent veterinary expertise. Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Ker B Quiet pellets and paste offer a targeted approach to managing nervous behaviour in horses, backed by Kentucky Equine Research's extensive studies.
They're packed with Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and Magnesium, crucial ingredients for nerve function and stress reduction.
This supplement is particularly beneficial for performance horses and those on high-grain diets, as it helps address potential Thiamine deficiencies and supports vital nerve transmission and carbohydrate metabolism.
While the pellets are easy to administer with clear pre-competition dosing instructions, remember to store them properly in a cool, dry place. It's important to note that while highly effective, Ker B Quiet is a supplement to manage symptoms and support your horse's well-being, not a guaranteed cure for all behavioural issues.
This highly palatable caramel-flavoured paste offers a comprehensive approach to managing equine stress and hyperactivity. It contains essential magnesium, known for its role in improving muscle function, and a blend of B vitamins that can help stimulate appetite in stressed horses. This Australian-made paste is particularly beneficial for horses on high-grain diets or with limited exercise, as it helps manage hyperactivity, reduces aggression, and promotes overall well-being.
Unlike many single-dose pastes designed for temporary relief, this formulation is intended for daily administration, offering ongoing support for your horse. However, be aware that its onset and duration of action can vary.
For optimal results, it's recommended to administer the paste four hours before anticipated stressful events, which requires significant foresight on your part. To maintain product integrity, remember to store it in a cool, dry place and keep the cap tightly sealed after each use.
Ranvet Calm Paste is an Australian-made, palatable supplement designed to provide natural, fast-acting support for your horse's nervous system. This versatile paste contains concentrated levels of tryptophan, B-group vitamins, and magnesium, all known for their roles in promoting calmness. A key benefit is its non-sedating formula, ensuring your horse remains alert and able to perform, making it suitable for a wide range of horses facing temporary stress.
Conveniently packaged in a single-dose format, Ranvet Calm Paste is intended specifically for temporary stress relief. For optimal results, it requires administration 2-3 hours prior to an anticipated stressful event. This timing means you'll need some foresight, as unexpected events might make administration difficult.
While highly effective for short-term use, frequent or regular use could become quite expensive. Also, as with many supplements, the degree of effectiveness can vary between individual horses. Be sure to store the paste below 30°C and away from direct sunlight to maintain its integrity, which is an important consideration, especially in Australia's warmer climates or when travelling.
Kelato Betacalm Paste is a fast-acting, non-sedating solution designed to support your horse's nervous system during stressful periods. Backed by science and a trusted brand, its formula includes key calming ingredients: L-Tryptophan, Magnesium, and Vitamin B1. This versatile paste also contains Vitamin E, offering additional antioxidant support, and herbal extracts for a broader approach to calming. Its convenient and accurate dosing makes it easy to administer.
Intended for short-term use only, Betacalm Paste requires administration 2-3 hours prior to a stressful event, which means some planning is necessary and might limit spontaneity. As with any supplement, its effectiveness can vary between individual horses. It's also strongly advised to consult your veterinarian before use, especially for pregnant mares or horses already on other medications. For optimal product integrity, store the paste below 25°C in a dry place and away from direct sunlight.
The EAC Animal Care Inside Out supplement offers a robust solution for your horse or pony's digestive well-being, especially if they're a fussy eater. This supplement is packed with a powerful blend of prebiotics and probiotics, including yeast culture, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus faecium, all working together to optimise digestion and nutrient absorption. Beyond gut health, it supports overall condition by bolstering immune balance, promoting healthy skin and coat, and even helping to reduce stress. What's more, it can aid in managing behavioural quirks like irritability, girth sensitivity, windsucking, cribbing, and teeth grinding.
This versatile supplement is suitable for horses and ponies of all ages, from foals to lactating mares, making it a great option for a wide range of needs. It's also incredibly easy to use - just mix the recommended dosage into your horse's food. However, keep in mind that the dosage varies depending on your horse's weight and activity level, so you'll need to pay attention to that.
It's always a good idea to consult your vet before introducing any new supplement. Finally, remember that as with most supplements, the degree of effectiveness can vary between individual animals.
The best way to ensure you are buying a good quality supplement that is going to benefit your horse is to choose one made by a reputable company that conducts scientific research on their products. These companies will have the active ingredients and their concentrations clearly printed on the labels of their products.
There are a number of active ingredients included in horse calming supplements and they all act in different ways so it's important to ensure that the calming supplement you choose is going to do the job you want it to do.
There's no point in putting a calming supplement in a horse's feed if they are not going to eat it. If you have a horse that is very particular about what it will eat, look for a palatable powdered supplement or paste.
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Veterinarian
Dr. Maree graduated from the University of Queensland in 1990 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and has worked in a wide variety of practices around Australia and in Papua New Guinea. She has cared for all creatures great and small and has a particular interest in senior pets and horse nutrition
