Feed Room Mythbusters: The truth about calming supplements

Has confusion about calming supplements got you feeling as anxious as your horse? Our friends at SmartPak give us the facts so you both can feel at ease.

MYTH #1

• Tryptophan and Magnesium are banned substances for horses that compete.

False.

These nutrients are normal and necessary components of your horse’s diet. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the production of serotonin and other hormones that transmit nerve signals in the brain. Magnesium is a mineral that is vital to both nerve and muscle health, and nervousness has been documented as a clinical sign of a magnesium deficiency.

While oral forms of magnesium are a crucial part of your horse’s diet, the recent practice of using injectable forms may be unsafe. For this reason, competitive organizations are now forbidding the use of injectable magnesium sulfate.

Read the rest of this article on the SmartPak Blog.

Go SmartPak, and Go Riding!