This is a common problem because we all want our horses to look nice and behave well. Sometimes those two objectives are at odds with each other. My advice on how to avoid the sedative drug trap:

1. feed a high quality hay and a ration balancer; feed no conventional hi-carb grain
2. develop your horsemanship skills—watch their ears and move their feet
3. supplement wisely for example magnesium oxide @1-2 oz per day
4. try a Liquid Titanium mask for calming effect

 

Follow scientifically sound principles based on assessing each horse individually.
 
1. Vaccination: administer core vaccines (as defined by AAEP) based on titer testing. If titer testing is not available, consider geographical area, horse’s environment (ie stabling/showing/travelling schedule) and horse’s current health and immunological history in deciding which vaccines to use. Always spread out vaccines as much as possible throughout the year

2. Deworming: administer on an “as needed” basis depending on fecal egg count testing
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3. Supplements: invest only in proven treatments 

​Many cross-ties in barns I visit are attached so high on the walls that horses are forced to extend their necks while tied. Heights should be adjusted so that their nose can be level with the point of their shoulder. In humans, studies have shown that posture affects mood. We all know intuitively that a relaxed horse lowers its head—so maybe in the horse, just like in humans, we can facilitate a proper posture (lowered, flexed neck) to encourage a desirable mood (relaxed).

 The best thing about riding bit-less is that it forces the human to ride better—reducing reliance on the hands and bringing more attention to the aids of the seat and legs.
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The best thing about a saddle blanket is that you can throw it in the wash. Even the best do not make up for a poorly-fitting saddle.
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The best saddle can’t help an improperly conditioned horse. 

​As a veterinarian whose majority of clients are in the polo and eventing worlds, I get the chance to see the similarities and differences between the two sports. In both, athleticism and fitness of the horse are of utmost importance, however there are few similarities in how the two disciplines train and prepare their horses. I have come to the conclusion that there are some “best practices” to be gleaned from each sport, which could be duly applied to the other, and that could further soundness, horsemanship, and welfare goals.
 
Training ideas regularly employed by eventers that could improve the athleticism and responsiveness of polo ponies are lateral work and striding. Common routines would be moving horses in leg yields and moving shoulders separately from hind end in corners. Of course one of the biggest benefits from lateral work is increased straightness. Working on striding can be accomplished by placing two poles on the ground about 60’ apart and practicing cantering 4,5, or 6 strides between them. This ability to collect and extend is as important in polo as it is in eventing but is often overlooked.
 
Polo ponies greatly benefit from the routine of going in “sets.” It is an easy way to accomplish the incredibly important building block of fitness through long-slow-distance work. They get the additional benefits of truly swinging through their backs with no rider on them, and psychologically, exercising in groups is socially rewarding for horses. Another valuable tool good polo riders develop in their horses is self-carriage. By always riding on a loose rein and allowing the horse to carry itself in its natural frame, polo ponies learn to maintain their own rhythm, and develop strong musculature and mental confidence.