Ambassador Spotlight: Laurie Salmi
Building Confidence and Life Skills in Arabians with StressLess®
Laurie Salmi’s journey with StressLess® is a unique one. As an amateur rider based in Orlando, Florida, Laurie doesn’t have her own farm, rather boards her horse at Wilson Training and Bloodstock, an Arabian breeding and training facility. With a long history in the Arabian horse world, from managing shows, serving on the board of directors for the Arabian Horse Association and Region XII Arabian Horse Association, and traveling extensively, Laurie brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of these highly sensitive horses.
Arabians, as Laurie points out, are emotional and intelligent, often coming to owners with “PTSD memories” or behavioral baggage from previous experiences. Arabians, in particular, are affected by the foster home syndrome many training horses experience. Her gelding, Sheldon, exemplifies the sensitivity aspect of the Arabian breed: he is observant, cautious, always on alert for the mares and foals on the farm, and prefers solitary work over rail classes. When Dr. Hildebrand recommended StressLess®, Laurie decided to give it a try and immediately noticed a difference. “I describe it as his ability to remain in the moment and prioritize stimuli,” she explains. With StressLess®, Sheldon can stay focused amidst chaos- physical or emotional, retaining his training even if a dose is missed.
StressLess® has helped Laurie teach Sheldon important life skills, turning him into what she calls a “productive citizen” in the show ring. She emphasizes that horses need confidence in themselves, trust in their handlers, and stability in their environment to perform successfully, whether it’s dressage, jumping, eventing, or trail work. StressLess® supports this mental and emotional development, enhancing natural confidence without sedating the horse or dulling their personality.
Laurie also highlights the broader impact of StressLess® across the Arabian community. She has helped introduce other trainers and owners to the supplement, including Wendy Potts, a leading hunter pleasure trainer in the country, who now keeps StressLess® on hand for many of her training horses. The supplement is not only effective, it’s natural, dopamine-boosting, and safe, even for high-energy or performance horses.
“This does not sedate your horse in any way. It just boosts their dopamine and makes them confident and calm—but not calm in the sedated sense. That’s the difference,” says Laurie, “horses retain their natural behaviors in full capacity.”
StressLess® is widely regarded as one of the best equine emotional welfare supplements on the market because it addresses the mental and emotional needs of horses, helping them succeed physically and mentally. It’s available in 30- and 60-day tubs on Amazon and can also be purchased directly from us at Inspire Equine.
Through her experience with Arabians, Laurie demonstrates that supporting a horse’s mental health is just as important as physical training. By combining StressLess® with thoughtful care, she has seen firsthand how horses like Sheldon thrive, remaining calm, focused, and ready to give their best, every time.
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