What is the calmer being tested?
Science Supplements ProKalm. It’s not magnesium based, and unusually for a calmer seems to actually work. Details about it can be found here: https://equinemechanics.com/Prokalm
Do you make the calmer?
No, I’m just interested in whether it affects the gait quality.
What will you be measuring?
Stride length and regularity (rhythm and temp), engagement (hock and fetlock joint angles, step length, overtrack, protraction and retraction angles, spine and pelvic angles, centre of gravity displacement), and responsiveness (transition quality). In addition a List One Judge will also score the “tests”.
How will you do that?
I’ll come and film you in your home environment. I won’t anything to the horse so as not to put you, the horse or the judge off.
Who and where are the other trial members?
All trial members are in BD Northern Region. Feel free to out yourself on http://www.facebook.com/EquineMechanics
Can I take part from Scotland?
At the moment it’s restricted to BD Northern region, but I’m currently looking at opening it up to Scottish BD members. UPDATE: we have now included a Scottish member or two.
Does my horse need to be currently competing?
No, it’s training level that counts.
Will you include my competition?
Maybe, but probably not.
What if my horse is too tense or unreliable or performs badly?
You can’t do badly or be too tense. Each horse is being compared only with itself to see if there’s an improvement in quality and regularity. We’ll be using a high number of strides and comparing averages, so it won’t matter if they vary or you make mistakes.
What if I’m more relaxed thinking the horse is on a calmer? Won’t the calmer have a placebo effect on me?
No doubt, that’s why you’ll also test a placebo. I’m afraid that neither you nor the judge will know which is the calmer until the end.
Why hasn’t the trial started yet?
We had to narrow people down from a lot of volunteers, and then get hold of enough calmer! UPDATE: Trial now starting!
Why can’t I find the Facebook page?
It’s case sensitive: EquineMechanics http://www.facebook.com/EquineMechanics