Summer is the perfect time to enjoy long, leisurely hacks through countryside trails and quiet lanes. For many horse owners, it’s a season filled with adventure, fresh air - and hopefully - relaxation. But for some horses, the change in routine, new surroundings, and warmer weather can bring about nervous energy that affects their behaviour and, in turn, your safety in the saddle.

Understanding the Summer Trigger

Horses are creatures of habit, and even subtle seasonal changes can lead to increased tension. Busier bridleways, new hacking partners, unfamiliar routes, and buzzing flies all heighten a horse’s natural alertness. Add to that rising temperatures, altered grazing patterns, or changes in management, and you may notice signs of anxiety - jogging, spooking, head tossing, or just a general sense of unease.

Recognising these signs early and taking steps to reduce their impact can help you and your horse enjoy safer, more confident rides.

Supporting Calmness Through Nutrition

Behavioural support doesn’t just start in the saddle - it begins with the feed bucket. Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting a horse’s mood, energy, and resilience to stress. High-starch or sugary diets can result in spikes of excitable energy, particularly in horses with a sensitive digestive system or metabolic profile.

Instead, horses that are prone to fizzy or unpredictable behaviour often benefit from a high-fibre, low-starch, and low-sugar diet. A feed that delivers slow-release energy without overstimulation is key.

Enter: Rowen Barbary Calm & Comfort

This non-heating, cereal-free feed is specially formulated to promote calmness from the inside out. With just 4.0% starch and 3.7% sugar, it’s ideal for horses that require dietary support to maintain a steady temperament—especially during the excitement of summer hacking season.

Key nutritional highlights:

• No cereals, molasses, or alfalfa, reducing the risk of dietary-triggered excitable behaviour.
• Calcareous Marine Algae & ActiSaf live yeast to support optimal digestion and gut stability—vital for horses prone to stress-related digestive issues like ulcers.
• Chamomile, Nettle & Mint offer a natural calming botanical blend that gently supports mood and comfort.
• Cleavers & Marigold provide additional lymphatic support, particularly beneficial for feathered breeds and those prone to conditions like CPL.

Crucially, Calm & Comfort is fully balanced with essential vitamins and minerals—so there’s no need to add extra supplements - and it's also biotin-free, catering to horses with specific sensitivities.

Whether fed dry or as a mash, it offers a flexible, palatable solution that fits easily into most summer feeding regimes.

Routine, Rhythm & Reassurance

Alongside a thoughtful feeding plan, maintaining consistency in turnout, exercise, and handling helps create a reassuring routine for your horse. Practising groundwork and transitions at home builds trust, while hacking out in company or on familiar routes can further boost confidence.

Extra Tips for Calmer Hacking

• Hack with a steady buddy: A calm partner can help nervous horses settle.
• Fly management: Use sprays or masks to minimise irritation and fussiness.
• Stay in tune: Horses respond to your energy - ride quietly, breathe deeply, and project calmness.
• Keep sessions short: For anxious types, short, positive experiences can build confidence better than long ones.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Calmness isn’t achieved overnight - it’s the result of consistency, thoughtful handling, and the right nutritional support. For leisure riders looking to make summer hacks safer and more enjoyable, it’s worth starting from within.

With its digestive and behavioural support, Rowen Barbary Calm & Comfort could be the ideal feed to help your horse stay settled and focused - so you can both make the most of the summer, one relaxed ride at a time.