Just like humans, horses have their fair share of mood swings. Some days they are affectionate and eager to trek, and other days they wake up with their ears pinned, grinding their teeth.
Several biological and environmental elements can cause a horse to have mood swings and there are multiple factors to consider. Looking for patterns of disruption around specific activities, times of day, or social interactions may help you course-correct and get your horse mood swings in control.
Whatever the cause, fortunately, there are natural aids to placate those highs and lows. Nature has provided us with a wealth of herbs that can relax and nurture the nervous system and help calm the horse. This will allow our beloved companions to heal and strengthen.
- Valerian: This is probably the most widely known of the calming herbs for moody horses. Valerian has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety and stress in horses in several scientific studies. It has a calming effect on the brain, and is a proven mental relaxant and aid in sleep disorders. A lesser-known action of valerian is that it relaxes and calms the gut's smooth muscles, helping relax the digestive system.
Buy our Valerian Herbal Calmer here.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is a relaxant that is useful for both nervous and muscular applications. It is a very safe herb and can be used even on foals. Traditionally used to help with sleeplessness, chamomile is also excellent for relieving nervous tension, anxiety, pain, allergies, and gastrointestinal issues. Chamomile is also a digestive remedy with a specific use for nervous digestive conditions such as diarrhea and colic.
- Chaste tree berries: These berries have been used for centuries in both Asia and Europe as a women’s tonic and hormone balancer. This herbal supplement is especially suitable for behavioral problems in mares, which are often associated with fluctuating hormone levels. This treatment helps stabilise progesterone and oestrogen – the hormones most often blamed for moody mares. It also balances abnormal levels of thyroid and adrenal hormones, which are known to cause fluctuations in emotions. Chaste berries are also a relatively common dietary supplement for horses with equine Cushing’s disease.
Buy our Steady Mare tonic here.
To ensure our calming herbs can work their magic, make sure your horse is exercising regularly, has a consistent feeding schedule and overall routine, and has a nutritionally complete diet that covers all its needs.