Competitions, transports, stable changes, away training - all activities that can cause stress for horses. Some horses handle these situations well, quickly bouncing back and focusing on the task at hand. However, for horses that are easily stressed, have a delicate temperament, or struggle with unfamiliar situations, a trailer ride or first competition can easily throw them off track. And then, everything falls apart.

Whether it's the loading process for the journey back home or the start of a competition that ends in disappointment, your horse can become tense, resistant, and simply not at ease. Training with your horse in such situations is essential, especially if you know your horse reacts sensitively to new and unfamiliar circumstances - all in an effort to spare your horse unnecessary stress.

Why does stress affect a horse's stomach?

Observing your horse in a stressful situation, you may notice that it typically refuses to eat. Stress triggers an increase in stomach acid production, creating a harmful combination for the horse's stomach. With decreased saliva production due to not eating, the excess stomach acid is no longer properly buffered, leading to an acidic imbalance in the stomach. Recognizing and preventing stress is a crucial responsibility for horse owners!

As a result, the horse ends up with an acidic sludge and a pool of acid floating on top of its feed. When the horse moves or its stomach contracts, the excess acid travels to the upper part of the stomach. Unlike the lower part of the stomach, this area lacks glands and is more sensitive to contact with stomach acid. If the lining is already irritated or damaged, each acid attack becomes a painful ordeal for the horse.

How can I best protect my horse in these situations?

What sets Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax apart?

Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax is a supplement for horses and ponies that not only absorbs excess stomach acid caused by feeding and stress but also buffers the pH level in the horse's stomach. Additionally, it has the ability to form a protective film over the stomach contents, preventing aggressive stomach acid from reaching the sensitive, potentially damaged upper part of the gland-less horse stomach.

How does Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax work?

Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax is a special blend of Equine 74 Gastric and the algae-derived algin of Ascophyllum nodosum (Family Fucaceae), both sourced from the sea.

When the alginate enters the horse's stomach, it reacts with the acid to form a gel-like structure, creating a protective barrier that coats the stomach contents like a film.

This prevents the aggressive stomach acid from reaching and irritating the sensitive upper, gland-less part of the horse's stomach through the stomach's peristalsis and the horse's movement. After approximately four hours, the protective film dissolves and is excreted directly through the intestines without being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Equine 74 Gastric is derived from a special red algae species (Lithotamnium Calcareum) harvested from the seabed off the coast of Iceland and then gently dried in Ireland. This unique formula absorbs excess stomach acid in horses, effectively buffering the pH level in the stomach. By doing so, it prevents the horse's stomach contents from becoming overly acidic and damaging the stomach lining.

How is Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax administered?

Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax comes in a convenient paste form for easy administration. We recommend giving this tasty paste directly into the mouth of your horse approximately 30 minutes before stressful situations. For adult horses, the recommended dosage is 20 ml, while for ponies, small horses, and foals, it is 10 ml per serving. You will notice a positive effect within minutes, lasting up to 4 hours, allowing you to act swiftly and purposefully.

Which horses is Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax recommended for?

As Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax is free of doping substances, it can be used for any horse, whether it's a sport horse, leisure companion, foal, or small pony. Equine 74 Calm Relax is particularly suitable for horses that are prone to stress, have a sensitive stomach or irritated mucosa, and/or react sensitively to new, unfamiliar, or stressful situations.

When should Equine 74 Stomach Calm Relax be administered?

Stressful situations can lead to an increase in stomach acid production in horses, which can harm the stomach lining. This includes activities like competitions, trailer rides, herd changes, starting young horses, or weaning foals.

When faced with a stressful situation for your horse, such as heading to a competition, introducing them to a new herd, or taking them on their first trailer ride, giving them the recommended dose of Equine 74 Calm Relax beforehand can help ease their stress and prevent it from affecting their stomach.

Learn more about the topic?

Are you curious about why horses tend to experience stress and what you can do to protect them from stressful situations? Explore our comprehensive guide on stress, where you can learn about the 5 freedoms for analyzing stress triggers and more.