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The versatile Eventing Competition tests a horse's psyche like few other disciplines. Dressage requires a cool head in a stimulating environment, cross-country demands courage and trust, and the show jumping trial requires freshness and focus after two demanding days. In all of this, one factor can undermine the entire preparation: stress. Horses are exceptionally sensitive to it, and tension directly translates into performance.
We asked two eventing riders and trainers – Jola Tarczyńska and Aleksandra Strońska – to share how they use gel Secure Horse Flash pheromones in their work with their own and entrusted horses. Both approach the topic from two perspectives at once: as a rider who competes themselves, and as a trainer responsible for the pairs under their care.
Table of Contents
- Why stress heavily impacts the horse in eventing
- Jola Tarczyńska's opinion – when the judge's bell stops exploding
- Aleksandra Strońska's opinion – what happens when you forget about pheromones
- Half a sachet per nostril – how much product is really needed
- Are calming pheromones safe for horses?
- Who are pheromones for in eventing training and competitions?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Pheromones (FAQ)
- Summary
Why does stress weigh so heavily on the horse in eventing?
Before we give the floor to the riders, it's worth explaining why a pheromone preparation works at all – because it is neither a supplement nor an intoxicating agent.
Secure Horse Flash is based on the technology of the French laboratory Signs (SIGNS Labs), which was the first in the world to fully dedicate itself to pheromone solutions. The laboratory belongs to Group-IRSEA – an institute with over thirty years of experience in research on animal chemical communication and maternal pheromones. The preparation works biomimetically: it recreates the natural signals that a mare sends to her foal in early life.
The function of these signals is precise. They help the animal accurately assess the situation – to distinguish ordinary novelty from real danger. This allows the horse to maintain emotional balance and remain able to react to the environment without exaggeration. When these calming signals are missing, the horse's ability to cope with daily challenges weakens, and the animal more easily falls into exaggerated reactions. This is precisely the mechanism that reappears in both accounts below.
Jola Tarczyńska's opinion – when the judge's bell stops exploding
Jola Tarczyńska admits directly that she was skeptical at first. She has known her horse, Czesio, for many years and knows well how violently he reacts to the sound of the judge's bell during competitions. This was their biggest problem: the signal announcing the start, heard while riding around the arena, had literally "blown up" the horse under saddle.
After administering the preparation, the situation was different. Czesio heard the bell and noticed it – but instead of exploding, he immediately redirected his attention back to the rider's signals. He remained calm, obedient, and focused solely on the rider's demands, ignoring external stimuli. The horse became fully concentrated on the task at hand and stopped being interested in what was happening around the arena.
This is an important distinction: the pheromones did not make the horse stop hearing the bell. They made him able to react calmly and return to the task – exactly as the science behind the preparation describes.
Aleksandra Strońska's opinion – what happens when you forget about pheromones?
Aleksandra Strońska approached the topic from a coaching perspective – she tested pheromones while working with different horses. Her starting point was simple: horses are very sensitive to stress, and this tension greatly affects performance.
The most telling example is her experience from a three-day competition. For the first two days, she used the preparation – and, as she says, the ride was phenomenal like never before. On the third day, in a hurry, she did not administer the pheromones. The horse behaved completely differently, and the ride turned out to be the worst of the entire weekend. It's hard to find a better illustration of the difference, as the comparison took place with the same horse, at the same competition, within one day.
The second example concerns her student and a horse with a difficult past. In the previous season, the animal could only be lunged in the warm-up arena, and the rider would only get on right before the start. After introducing pheromones, the horse became completely focused, which allowed for comfortable riding and translated into better results. Strońska summarizes it briefly: "pheromones are safety" – and recommends them to every rider and trainer.
This word – safety – carries particular weight in eventing. A focused, predictable horse means less risk not only in the dressage phase but also in cross-country, where the health of the pair can be at stake. Therefore, it is worth thinking about safety comprehensively, combining the horse's calmness with appropriate protective equipment for the rider, such as air vests used in cross-country.
Half a sachet per nostril – how much product is really needed?
Both accounts agree on one practical detail: there's plenty of product in the package, and usage is economical. The instructions recommend applying half a sachet to each nostril of the horse, but Jola notes that in their case, half a sachet was entirely sufficient for the entire competition.
The gel consistency allows for precise application directly to the nostrils, where the horse most effectively receives chemical signals. The preparation leaves no greasy residue and requires no additional tools, and the effect appears within a few minutes and lasts for several hours – which in practice means a calm entire round. It is usually applied 15–30 minutes before a stressful situation.
From a competition budget perspective, this is important: if half a sachet is enough for one start, one package lasts for many outings. This is also an argument for keeping a supply in the tack box or trailer along with the rest of the equipment.
Are calming pheromones safe for horses?
This question always arises when talking about "calming" a horse – and rightly so, because no one wants a drowsy or lethargic animal.
Here it is worth dispelling a basic concern. Pheromones do not intoxicate or cause sedation – the horse remains alert, energetic, and ready to work. It is its ability to maintain calmness and concentration that changes, not its temperament or strength. This is evident in both accounts: Czesio still reacted to the bell, and Strońska's horses lost none of their movement quality – they simply stopped wasting energy on stress.
The preparation mimics natural chemical signals and does not contain doping substances, making it safe for use before competition. Nevertheless, responsibility for compliance of any substance used with current anti-doping regulations always rests with the rider, so for competitions under the auspices of federations, it is worth checking the status of the preparation in the applicable FEI Clean Sport regulations. More about pheromone technology itself can be found on the SIGNS Labs expert website.
Who are pheromones for in training and eventing competitions?
From both opinions, the same conclusion emerges: pheromones are most helpful where the problem is not a lack of training, but excessive reactivity to stimuli. A horse that "knows the material" in training, but falls apart at the sound of a bell, applause, or an unusual environment. A horse with a difficult past that needs an additional sense of security to be able to work calmly at all.
Since each horse reacts individually, the most sensible approach is to first test the product on your own horse – single sachets allow you to do this at low cost. For those who already know their horse's reaction, more cost-effective pheromone packs of 3 and 5 pieces are available, convenient for the entire season.
If you're unsure whether pheromones will work for your horse's specific problem, write to us or visit the Equishop brick-and-mortar store at Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska – we'll help you choose a solution for your pair and your competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pheromones (FAQ)
Are pheromones for horses considered doping?
No. Pheromones are substances that mimic natural chemical signals secreted by a mare – they are not a drug or a pharmacological substance affecting a horse's performance. Secure Horse Flash does not contain doping substances. The product works at the level of communication and the horse's assessment of the situation, not by interfering with its physiology.
Can pheromones be used in competitions?
Yes – the product is free of prohibited substances and is intended for use, among other things, before starting. However, it is important to remember that the rider is responsible for ensuring that everything given to the horse complies with current regulations. For competitions under the auspices of federations, it is worth verifying the status of the product in the applicable FEI Clean Sport regulations and in the regulations of the Polish Equestrian Federation.
Will my horse be drowsy or delayed after them?
No. Pheromones are not a calming or sedative agent – they do not cause drowsiness, slowed reactions, or loss of coordination. The horse remains alert, energetic, and fully ready to work; only its ability to maintain calmness and concentration changes. This is a fundamental difference between pheromones and chemical "calmers."
How quickly do pheromones work and how long do they last?
When the gel is applied directly to the nostrils, the effect appears within a few minutes, and the action lasts for several hours – in practice, it usually suffices for an entire competition round or trial. Therefore, the product is most often administered 15–30 minutes before an anticipated stressful situation.
Are pheromones safe for horses?
Yes. SIGNS Labs formulas are water-based, non-invasive, and developed specifically for a given species, without toxic ingredients. The product is safe for the horse, rider, and environment, does not require a prescription, and when used as directed, carries no typical drug risks.
Are horses addicted to pheromones?
No. Pheromones do not act like an addictive substance – they only recreate a natural signal that the horse knows from early life. They can be used occasionally (e.g., only for competitions) or regularly, without the risk of addiction or "habituation" that would reduce effectiveness.
Will pheromones work for every horse?
The reaction is individual. In most horses sensitive to stimuli, the effect is clear, but its intensity can vary – spectacular in some, more subtle in others. Therefore, it is best to test a single sachet on your own horse before deciding on a larger supply.
Summary
The experiences of Jola Tarczyńska and Aleksandra Strońska – two eventing riders and trainers – form a coherent picture. Secure Horse Flash pheromones do not replace training or change a horse's character; they help it remain calm and focused where stress previously prevailed – at the judge's bell in the arena, in the warm-up area, or in the stimulating environment of competitions. The product is not doping, does not dull the horse, and is intended for use before starting, with its effect appearing quickly and lasting throughout the entire round.
Since each horse reacts differently, the best first step is to test a single sachet on your own horse, and once you know its reaction, opt for more cost-effective season-long packages. If you have doubts about whether pheromones will help with a specific problem for your pair, write to us or visit the Equishop physical store in Ruda Śląska – we will help you choose a solution for your competitions.
