what herbs are good for calming a spooky pony?

[shadowboy]

I posted a few days ago about Howie getting spooky but he's just getting progressively worse, to the point where he spooked as I put his headcollar on, something he's never done! He spooks if I touch him, put anything on him, at the lorries he walks past to his field. No idea why? It started about 2 weeks ago. He already has magnesium in the pro hoof supplement he gets. So any ideas? Or any good calming herbs I can try? (he is out on a starvation paddock on his own sadly, from 9-5)

[claribella]

You could try magnesium oxide. It makes a difference when I give it to my girl who is rather spooky. You can get a high level one from natural horse supplies online.

[Fiona_C]

Additional magnesium will only have an effect if they have a magnesium deficiency to start with. I'd highly recommend Hilton Herbs Temperamend, works wonders on my spooky tb. Is full of useful herbs and you can get it with either valerian or valerian free if you intend to compete taking into mind valerian is a banned substance.

[shadowboy]

Ooh I might check that out. Thanks!

[horserugsnot4u]

If the spookiness is something new then I'd be looking for the cause. There is a possibility of eye problems in horses that become spooky when they haven't been before. Just something to consider.

[shadowboy]

I did wonder about eye issues. Could a vet actually see anything or would it have to be an expensive specialist? I was wondering could it even be ulcers?

[horserugsnot4u]

Yes the vet can do it and is usually done in a darkened stable. I only suggested eyes because a pony I had vetted had signs of cataracts in one eye and I read up on the subject and spookiness was a possible sign, particularly if it was out of character and there was no obvious reason for it.