Frequently Asked Questions
What is temperament?
Temperament is the inherited physical and emotional makeup of an individual.
Is temperament the same as personality?
Temperament and personality can be the same but not always. Temperament is the inherited makeup of an individual that does not change but personality can be altered based on environment or life experience.
What are the temperament types?
The Five Element pure temperament types are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. The combination temperament types are Fire/Wood, Wood/Fire, Fire/Water, Water/Fire, Earth/Metal and Metal/Earth.
How is temperament determined?
Body type, physical characteristics, health challenges, and emotions are all considered in determining a horse’s underlying Five Element Temperament type.
What is the advantage of knowing my horse’s temperament?
Knowing your horse’s temperament type can help you make dietary and lifestyle choices for him that will best support his individual needs. If you are looking for a new horse, Five Element typing will aid you in selecting the horse that is best-suited for your skills, lifestyle, and horse activity choice.
How can I find out my horse’s temperament?
The best way to know your horse’s temperament is to have a professional Typing Consultant type him. Some horses are very easy to type and fit nicely into the descriptions. Other horses have significant personality traits masking their underlying temperament. Talk To: Temperament Consultants
What is the advantage of feeding a Five Element formula?
Each element has organ systems that are associated with it and these organs can be the first ones compromised when the horse is under stress. Each element temperament type also has certain related body tissues that tend to need extra support. Each temperament type will also have a specific emotional response to stress. The Five Element formulas support and balance the specific organs, tissue and emotions for each type. When the correct formula is fed for an 8 day course once a month or when needed during stressful events it will help prevent physical and emotional problems from developing.
Why do I just feed the formula for 8 days instead of all the time?
The Five Element formulas are not complete nutritional supplements. These formulas have concentrated nutrients that are needed in larger amounts when a certain type is stressed. Most horses are under continued stress due to their domestic lifestyle that is much different from their natural lifestyle. Feeding the Five Element formula for an 8 day course each month will help your horse stay balanced and avoid the development of any physical or emotional issues.
Can I feed the Five Element formula more than 8 days a month?
Some people have found that their horse does well when getting the formula but not as well in the interval where the formula is not being fed. In this case it is acceptable to give 1/2 dose for a continued time until the horse’s system can build up nutrients that may have been deficient.
Will the Five Element formulas treat problems?
The Five Element formulas are not designed to treat serious health issues. The formulas are designed to keep the horse in balance so he does not develop stress related symptoms. The Five Element formulas can balance the body so mild health and emotional problems can resolve but when a problem is advanced you will need a supplement specifically designed to treat the issue.
I've typed my horse but his symptoms don't match his type’s description. Which formula do I feed him?
Pick the symptom of most concern.
If it is a physical symptom, feed the formula that matches his symptoms.
If it is an emotional symptom, feed the formula that matches his type
Can I mix the formulas if my horse is a combination type?
It is best not to alter the formula by combining it with another supplement or Five Element formula. Choose the formula that best fits your horse or order both types and feed one in the morning and one in the evening.
Should I feed the formulas every time I go to a show?
Shows are stressful even when horses enjoy them. It is best to give a 4 day course of the formula that covers the time immediately before, during and after any stress.
How do the formulas address stress associated with bad weather?
The formulas are designed to bring balance so any horse that is suffering from an excess of any climate condition can be helped by short term use of the formula that counters that condition.
My horse is generally healthy but develops symptoms during a certain season?
Starting about 2 weeks before the season starts, feed the Balancing Formula for that specific season.
For example, If you have a horse that develops hives in the fall, that is a sign of a Metal imbalance.
If you have a horse that gets a swollen sheath in the spring (April showers/excessive dampness) that is a sign of an Earth imbalance.
How long will a bag of formula last?
Each bag contains 30 doses of balancing formula. If the formula is used for just 8 days each month the bag will last 4 months.