I am extremely sceptical when it comes to supplements, feeling like it was a bit last chance to try something before admitting defeat and selling my daughters horse i enquired about a calmer and received a call and was asked why i had enquired, i explained he resembled and over excited toddler in his work, struggled to focus and maintain any concentration and was like a ticking time bomb ready to explode any moment, i explained about his eating habits and how he was extremely fussy! it was suggested to try this product, no hard sale what so ever, i was encouraged to research the product and read the reviews and to get back in contact if i were interested, this for me was a very pleasant surprise. I did go away and read up and I purchased the product, excellent customer service, it was delivered next day and i was kept updated.
Admittedly i honestly didn't expect him to eat it but knowing i could mix with water and syringe i was willing to give it a go, he is the fussiest horse i have ever come across (I have owned many horses and worked in several competition yards over the years) it takes him the best part of 6-8 hours to eat his feed, so realistically that only gave me the option to feed him once a day. Anything i have previously tried to add to his feed, including electrolytes has been refused, no matter how gradually introduced.
The first few days i syringed it in, then put one dose in his morning feed and syringed the second one as he is currently in during the day and out at night. Since going on to maintenance dose he is eating it happily in his feed, which is just unbelievable in itself.
He is now clearing his feed within an hour, actually seeking his second feed and calling for his feeds - which he has never done in nearly 2 years of owning him, previously you could feed everyone else and he wouldn't even come looking over his door.
He is a lot more content both in and out the stable, not stressing as he was previously was when a horse left the yard to be exercised etc.
So much more relaxed in the stable, Floppy lip and just generally more chilled.
He spends more time in the paddock with his head down grazing, everyday he would throw all sorts of shapes in the field but he just seems more content and happier than ever!
In his work he is much calmer in general, still very alert and off the leg but has a new level of concentration and hasn't had a total melt down since starting step 1 - Gastro 2 weeks ago.
We are yet to take him to a competition, but the difference in him at home alone has definitely been enough to convert us and continue with the product going forward.
i always question how genuine reviews are but i really am so impressed with the difference Gastro step 1 has made to him, even my non horsey husband cannot believe the difference in his appetite and how he now talks for his feeds!
My 10 year old can actually lead him and can safely go into the stable with him and i now feel my eldest daughter has a horse to work with going forward.
