Calimero-A is a 12-year-old sp gelding, a sport horse competing regularly in national showjumping competitions up to 135 cm. He's an ambitious horse, highly engaged in his work. The problem was never his willingness, but the stress related to competing and the show environment itself.

The following account from his rider describes what that stress looked like, from distraction in the warm-up arena, through stomach issues, to a lack of appetite at shows, and the changes she observed after introducing Hempqualizer Compete. We're publishing it in full, unabridged.

Case study: Calimero-A

Name – Calimero-A

Age – 12 years

Sex – gelding

Breed – sp

Height – 175 cm

Calimero is a sport horse we regularly compete with in national showjumping competitions up to 135 cm. He's a very ambitious horse, highly engaged in his work, but previously the stress related to competing and the show environment itself was a major challenge for us.

SYMPTOMS

Before starting supplementation, Calimero got very stressed during competitions. He was completely tense, nervous, and often paced around his stall. There were also digestive issues, including diarrhoea. Eating during competitions was also a big problem - he often didn't finish his meals.

This was most visible in the warm-up arena. Calimero got distracted very easily, and it was hard to keep his attention on the work. There were times when, instead of focusing on a fence, he'd look in a completely different direction and practically ignore both the fences and me. Because of this, normal warm-up was very difficult, and his level of tension strongly affected the quality of our work.

Before starting on Hempqualizer products, we tried various methods aimed at reducing Calimero's stress and improving his comfort at competitions. We tested various pastes and supplementation methods, but we didn't see as clear or as consistent an improvement as after we started using your products.

EFFECTS

After introducing the Hempqualizer Compete paste, I noticed a very significant change in Calimero. He became distinctly calmer and much more focused on his work. At competitions, it's easier to hold his attention, he gets distracted noticeably less, and a normal warm-up is much easier to carry out.

What's particularly important to me is that the change is visible not only during the actual start. During competitions, Calimero is also calmer in the stall and, above all, eats his meals normally, which he practically never did before. He's no longer as tense and nervous as before.

I have the impression that thanks to the supplementation, he copes much better with competition-related stress. He's calmer, more focused, and cooperates with me significantly better, which lets us concentrate on what matters most, the work and the round.

Key takeaways from the case study

• Horse: Calimero-A, gelding, 12 years old, sp breed, 175 cm
• Discipline: showjumping up to 135 cm, national competitions
• Problem: severe competition stress affecting the horse's work and comfort
• Symptoms before supplementation: tension and nervousness at competitions, pacing in the stall, distraction in the warm-up arena, digestive issues, lack of appetite during competitions
• Previous attempts: various pastes and supplementation methods — without lasting improvement
• Product used: Hempqualizer Compete
• Observed changes: greater calm and focus, easier warm-up, less distraction, calmer behaviour in the stall, return of normal appetite

How does stress affect a sport horse during competitions?

In the case described, competition stress showed up on three levels at once: in behaviour (nervousness, pacing in the stall, distracted attention in the warm-up arena), in the digestive system (stomach issues, lack of appetite), and in cooperation with the rider (difficulty holding the horse's attention on the work). This shows that stress in a horse isn't just "nerves before the start," but a response of the whole organism.

What is Hempqualizer Compete?

Hempqualizer Compete is a natural preparation that supports sport horses in situations of tension and stress, tested for the absence of doping substances at the LCH laboratory in Paris. It's intended for use in a competition context and, according to the account, supports the horse's calm and focus without a dulling effect.

Does Hempqualizer Compete help with a horse's distraction in the warm-up arena?

In the case study described, the rider observed that after introducing the preparation, Calimero became calmer and more focused, his attention was easier to hold, and normal warm-up became simpler. However, this is an individual observation concerning one horse — the reaction may vary depending on the animal and the situation.

The case study above describes an individual case and the horse owner's observations. Hempqualizer Compete supports the horse's comfort in stressful situations and does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. The effects of use may vary from animal to animal.