Calming supports the nervous system’s natural balance - helping your horse feel safe, focused, and settled. Sedation dulls or suppresses reactions. True calm isn’t about shutting behaviour down; it’s about reducing the cause of anxiety so your horse can process calmly and respond safely.

Yes, very possibly. High-starch or high-sugar feeds can spike adrenaline and blood glucose, causing fizz or 'nervy' behaviour. 

Switch to a low-NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) diet, provide ad-lib forage, and check your mineral balance. Gut discomfort, ulcers, or magnesium deficiency can also trigger spookiness.

That depends on the root cause. Herbal nervines and adaptogens - like Matricaria, Melissa, Withania, Verbena, and Avena sativa - can help short-term tension by supporting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA. 

But - no calmer will fix stress caused by pain, ulcers, or poor management. Always start with the basics: comfort, forage, routine, companionship.

Support from both ends:

• Practically: Use positive, force-free desensitisation and plenty of breaks.

• Nutritionally: Feed hay beforehand, avoid sugary feeds, and consider a short-term herbal calmer.

Our CalmTonic has excellent reviews for helping with nervous travellers.

Yes - but it’s not a 'calmer' per se - it's more about biology.

Magnesium works with calcium for nerve and muscle function. UK soils are typically magnesium-deficient, so horses often need extra through their mineral balancer or feed. 

Correcting that balance can noticeably soften behaviour because muscles and nerves can finally relax.

🔗 See our Blog: The Great Magnesium Calming Debate

Absolutely. A small hay net 20-minutes or so before work will help buffer stomach acid and prevent the painful acid splash that can trigger tension, resistance, or bucking. Riding on an empty stomach can quickly undo your calm training work.

Very likely. Hormonal changes affect the same cortisol and dopamine pathways that influence mood and reactivity. 

For mares with pre-season tension or grumpiness, see our Mares Advice page and our  MellowMare for support.

Short-term tension (e.g. spooking at a pheasant) is natural and resolves once the threat passes. Chronic stress is ongoing anxiety that lingers long after the trigger. 

If your horse is always on edge or hypervigilant, see our Stress Advice page - chronic stress affects the gut, hormones, and immune system and needs deeper support.

Valerian can be very effective for non-competing horses (listed as a banned substance). 

Our valerian-free CalmTonic is competition-safe.