With 53 races behind him, off-the-track Thoroughbred Riggs, 15, is not just a true work horse, but a war horse, says owner Jordan Bauer, DVM. Bauer purchased him when he was 8. But in 2019, 2 years into his new career as an eventer, the handsome bay was at war with himself.
Equine Anxiety Held Him Back
“He’s got an amazing work ethic and he tries so hard he makes himself anxious. He just struggles with mental anxiety,” says Bauer, an adult amateur rider in Florida.
Riggs would jig. His back got super tight.
“He’s very, very oral and he’d chew on his bit,” says Jordan. “He develops a lot of tension in his neck.”
She could feel the power that launched the horse thundering down Florida’s racetracks build and build beneath her. A small animal veterinarian with a background in nutrition, Bauer had Riggs thoroughly checked for physical issues that may have been causing anxiety-inducing pain. The vets found and treated the gelding for ulcers. Three months of drugs helped the ulcers—but not the stress symptoms.
“We tried everything,” says Bauer, whose veterinary knowledge of ingredients surpasses that of most owners. “We tried every product from SmartPak. We tried melatonin. We tried Zylkene.”
But Riggs’ mental battle marched on. Nothing helped. The athletic horse was clearly not happy—and neither was his devoted owner.
“He’s my heart,” says Bauer.
Until StressLess
Finally, Bauer discovered StressLess online. Developed by veterinarians, the all-natural formula promotes a calm mind, focus, and mood balance for happier, more trainable horses.
The active ingredient, casein hydrolysate, is a protein found in milk. Casein has been found to reduce stress, enhance sleep, and even help boost levels of dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemical. It’s why drinking a warm glass of milk before going to bed can help you fall asleep.
StressLess promotes relaxation while maintaining mental alertness. The powdered supplement, which is made in the USA, does not make horses dull, drowsy or impair motor function. Learn more about how StressLess works.
Bauer began giving Riggs StressLess every day with his feed. After trying so many other products, she didn’t expect much. But, within a week, she noticed a difference. “It’s his brain,” she says. “He was able to focus…he’ll come deeper into contact, he’s less looky. And he’s not at all groggy. He’s just more focused in general.”
On StressLess, Riggs has become “more solid in my hand,” says Bauer.
‘“He’s more solid moving in his body, he’s more rhythmical and he’s more thoughtful.”
Bauer was so impressed with the supplement, she now gives it to all seven of her Thoroughbreds, from the ‘greenies’ to the senior. Without the buzzing mind and the coiled muscles sabotaging their sessions, Bauer and Riggs were finally able to begin to progress through the fundamentals they struggled with for so long.
This year, the pair were even able to qualify for the American Eventing Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park in the Starter division. Bauer recalls an experience she’ll never forget there, as she realized how far she and Riggs had come in the years of struggles through which they worked and persevered.
Rigg’s Battle Won
At the competition, Bauer’s ride time was at 7:30 pm, when the low sun gave Riggs’ coat a golden glow.
As they walked down the rubber brick pathway to the hallowed grounds of the Rolex Arena, Bauer’s father walked beside them. The 74-year-old was a lot slower than when he held 2 year-old Jordan in the saddle in front of him during the trail rides that hooked her on horses forever.
“Riggs slowed down to walk slowly with him, and was really careful, because my dad is a little off balance.” Right before they entered, Bauer leaned down from the saddle for a father-daughter high five.
“This is my Olympics and my dad is here,” she remembers thinking, glowing with happiness, gratitude and the setting Kentucky sun.
Sniffing back happy tears, Bauer trotted into the Rolex Arena with her war horse. The stadium’s seating towered around them and the massive scoreboard showed their names, as it did for the decades of world champions who have competed on those revered grounds.
Any horse would have a good reason to tense up in such a venue. Instead, completely focused, Riggs went to work, as Thoroughbreds do.
“He found his distance for every jump,” says Jordan, beaming at the memory. They went double clear. “It was amazing,” she said. She knew her war horse’s battle was finally won.