Equine 74 CALMRELAX – Ideal to help calm and relax horses in stressful situations

Equine 74® presents their new calming paste CALMRELAX

Until June 14th 2020, WoSJ readers get a 25% discount when buying CALMRELAX from shop.equine74.com. Use the code CALMRELAXWS6.

New on the market as of May, CALMRELAX builds on Equine 74®’s success product Equine 74® GASTRIC – a 100 % natural red algae-based supplement, that absorbs excess gastric acid to help create a natural and well-balanced horse stomach. Equine 74® GASTRIC, available as pellets, granulate or powder, has since its launch become a must-have in feeding rooms world-wide as an effective and natural preventer of stomach ulcers.

“Many riders using Equine 74® GASTRIC on their horses approached us and asked if we could not develop a quick-working paste for horses that are prone to stress,” Christian Dietz – CEO of Dietz & Consorten GmbH, owner of the worldwide distribution rights for the Equine 74® supplement series – explains.

Dietz, who has studied agricultural sciences with intensive work in animal breeding and husbandry, took the challenge. The result is Equine 74® CALMRELAX. “Next to stress relief, Equine 74® CALMRELAX is particularly suitable for horses with a sensitive stomach or irritated mucous membrane as well as for horses that are sensitive to new, unfamiliar or stressful situations,” Dietz tells. “Such situations can be anything from new situations in training, competitions, truck or trailer travels – especially for young horses, as well as changes in the herd or the weaning of foals.”

Why use Equine 74® CALMRELAX?

The CALMRELAX paste consists of a unique combination of Equine 74® GASTRIC and the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum – which grows off the coast of Scotland. “Each syringe contains about 3.80 gr. of magnesium,” Dietz tells. “Magnesium is proven to calm the nerves* and is therefore ideal to help relax horses in stressful situations. Due to the paste's rapid decomposition process and an extremely high bioavailability of 98%, the magnesium is very quick-acting.”

“Equine 74® CALMRELAX has been tested in the FEI's official anti-doping laboratory in Germany – and can be administered to any horse, whether a sport horse, leisure horse, foal or small pony,” Dietz tells.

“For horses, stressful situations increase production of aggressive gastric acid that can reach the sensitive lining in the upper, glandless part of the stomach. This causes stomach irritation and pain, which again can create additional stress,” Dietz explains. “We have developed Equine 74® CALMRELAX to blend with the stomach acid to form a gel-like substance, creating a protective barrier that covers the stomach contents like a film – preventing the acid from reaching these sensitive areas. This protective film then dissolves and is excreted directly from the intestine without being absorbed into the blood.”

“We did not want to become the tenth or twentieth supplier of a tranquilizer paste,” Dietz continues. “We wanted to create a solution that would enable the horse and rider to somehow cushion the stress-related overproduction of stomach acid. This is especially important in situations such as those that occur with young horses, for example at unknown training grounds, during transport or during shows. So somehow an immediate solution!”

“Our attitude is to look for the causes and work out a solution that can possibly influence the direct effects. So, if I know that my horse reacts – or will react – hectically and stressed to certain unknown situations, I can do something in advance.”

How is Equine 74® CALMRELAX administered?

“Equine 74® CALMRELAX comes ready to administer through a handy syringe,” Dietz tells. “The paste is very tasty with added stevia and vanilla, which the horses enjoyed without exception. Depending on the outside temperature, the paste will be a little thicker or thinner and is easy to handle.”

“For horses that are generally nervous and have sensitive stomachs, we recommend giving the paste directly into the mouth about 5-10 minutes before any situation that particularly will increase stomach acid production,” Dietz says. “For adult horses we recommend a 30-gr dose and for small horses, ponies and foals 15-gr doses. Positive effects will be noticeable within a few minutes and last for as long as the paste is present in the stomach.”

Jason Smith, www.jasonsmith.ch: "CALMRELAX gives the horses that extra help to relax in situations where they need it the most"

Jason Smith. Photo © Katja Stuppia/www.stuupia.com.

For nearly a year, Swiss-based showjumper Jason Smith has been using Equine 74® GASTRIC and a month ago he was one of the first to try out the new paste CALMRELAX.

Jason first decided to try out Equine 74® GASTRIC when two of his horses had been struggling with stomach ulcers. “I was actually very surprised about how well it worked, because both horses felt and looked better straight away,” Jason tells. “It was an immediate difference. Both of them started to eat better, and there was a noticeable change in their behaviour too as they were much quieter to ride.”

“Equine 74® GASTRIC has especially been beneficial for one of my mares, that is a bit of a hot and nervous horse with a sensitive stomach,” Jason tells. “One small problem was leading to another, she was a bit under-muscled, got easily tense when in work and then stiff afterwards. However, after adding Equine 74® GASTRIC to her daily feeding routine she started feeling a lot better in her body, got more relaxed to ride and consequently she also began building muscles with her previous problems disappearing. I did not change anything in my program with her, it was simply a result of feeding her Equine 74® GASTRIC.”

After such good results with Equine 74® GASTRIC, Jason recently tried out the new CALMRELAX paste, which he got from Martina Zahner – Equine 74 Distribution in Switzerland. “On two out of three horses, it had a very good effect – and it was definitely the more sensitive ones with a lot of energy that benefitted the most from it,” Jason tells. “I gave CALMRELAX a bit less than 30 minutes prior to jumping, and it worked quickly. The two horses were quieter than normal, as well as being more accepting and willing to do what they normally would find a little difficult. They also sweated less, and their stomachs were better both during and after work.”

“Obviously, with no shows in the calendar, I have only been able to test CALMRELEAX at home – but my first impression is that this is a product that could really help nervous or sensitive horses in situations that easily cause them stress,” Jason says. “I also like that both Equine 74® GASTRIC and CALMRELAX are natural products that you can give the horses without worrying about any negative side-effects. Whereas GASTRIC is great for maintaining the overall well-being of the more sensitive horses, I see CALMRELAX as a product that gives them that extra help to relax in situations where they need it the most.”