100g Valerian Root
100g Valerian Root
100g sample pack
Valerian is ideal for helping an anxious horse to relax without causing any drowsiness, or affecting their performance. It can be helpful in particularly stressful times such as travelling, shows, box rest etc.
It should, however, be noted that valerian is a banned substance by the Jockey Club and FEI. For competition calmer, please look at my magnesium supplements, vervain and chamomile.
Valerian is helpful for those horses whose anxiety is not helped by a magnesium supplement, as they are either not magnesium deficient, or their behaviour is not caused by the deficiency.
As with all calmers, it is important to also consider all factors affecting a horses behaviour, such as hard feed, turnout, pain, fit of tack etc.
Valerian root has a distinctive aroma, but as you need to only feed 15g a day, it is not too much to add to the feed. However, a fussy eater can often be tempted by adding apple juice or spearmint to the feed. It can also be helpful to gradually introduce the valerian.
Feeding Guidelines: Feed 15g per day
Feeding as an Infusion
Many herbs, including Valerian, can be fed in their dried form, but this may mean that it sometimes takes a while for full benefits to be seen.
There is a way to speed up the effect! By simply making an infusion with the herb, the active constituents are made more readily available and are more easily absorbed by the horse.
Ideally, add a ½ litre/pint of boiling water to the herbs to be given that day. When cooled, the whole infusion (including the herbs) can be used to dampen down the horses feed. If access to a kettle is not practical, soaking overnight in cold water will also help to release the active constituents.