~~Magnesium is the Anti-Stress Mineral~~

What are the signs of Magnesium Deficiency?

Some common signs of magnesium deficiency can include:

                Nervous, anxious temperament

                Sudden shying at familiar objects

                Violent pulling-back when tied up

                Dislike of grooming

                Aggression towards owners or herd mates

                Separation anxiety, herd bound

               Restless under saddle, unable to focus on rider

                Bucking

• Poor hoof quality, footsore without shoes or boots on hard or rough ground

                 Toe-first hoof landing in movement

                 Laminitis

                 Grass belly

                 Insulin resistant with heavy crest

                 Stiff, braced posture with deep ‘V’ behind withers

                 Front feet placed far back under body when resting

                 Tight, sloping croup

                 Stifle catch

                 Tying-up

• Excessive sweating in hot weather, shivering in warm, wet weather

                 Dry, flaky skin

                Sweet-Itch

                 Watery eyes

How should magnesium be given to horses?

Many different forms of magnesium are available for horses, ranging from very expensive chelated organic magnesium products to cheap inorganic raw materials.  Magnesium chloride in this form is a very good source of magnesium as it is easily absorbed by the body.  Other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) and others, must be broken down in the stomach by hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride. Feeding magnesium chloride eliminates the need for break-down in the stomach which results in a much higher absorption rate.  

How should magnesium flakes be used?

All forms of dry magnesium chloride are bitter-tasting and likely to be unpalatable for most horses. The unpleasant taste can be masked by dissolving the flakes in water before mixing into a feed. The flakes dissolve quickly in hot water but will also dissolve in cold water.  A convenient way to prepare the magnesium chloride solution is fill a large bottle with a measured amount of water, add an appropriate number of tablespoons of flakes, shake well and leave to dissolve.  The solution does not need to be prepared fresh each day so a bottle may last several days, depending on the number of horses being fed and the desired strength of the solution.

Suggested Way to Use Food Grade Magnesium Flakes:

Starting amount: Dissolve 15g (1 tbsp) flakes in 150ml water and add 10ml of the resulting solution to each feed, preferably twice daily. Increase by another 10ml every 2 or 3 days until 50ml is being added to each feed. Starting with this very weak solution allows the horse’s body time to adjust to a new source of magnesium. Increasing quantity or strength too quickly may cause scouring.

2nd Stage: Slowly increase the strength of the solution by increasing the quantity of flakes being dissolved, again increasing the amount given to the horse by 10ml every 2 or 3 days. Some easy-keeper type horses grazing lush pastures have been found to need the equivalent of 60g of dry flakes per day, split over two feeds.  Other horses may need much less than that, still others may need much more.

The plan is :To continue slowly increasing the strength of the solution over a period of some six weeks or so, or until a slight softening of the manure is noticed.  When this happens, reduce the amount of magnesium chloride fed each day to the previous level, then maintain at this level.  If a softening of the manure is again noticed after already having educed the amount of magnesium chloride being fed, this may indicate the horse’s body stores of magnesium are being well replenished, so the amount of magnesium can again be reduced.  It may also indicate the horse’s daily needs have reduced, even if only temporarily.  Lower sugar content of pasture or hay will reduce need for magnesium, for example. The horse should then be observed closely for any signs of returning magnesium deficiency so that the dosage rate can be adjusted back up if necessary.

How long does it magnesium chloride take to work? 

The first changes to a quieter, calmer temperament are often seen within a week, with progressive improvements continuing over a couple of months.  For laminitis horses, improvements in hoof form and function can take several months to be consistent as the new stronger lamellar connection grows down from the coronet, although improvements in foot comfort can often be seen within a month. Overweight or insulin resistant horses have been seen to lose their grass belly within a month – many of these horses also benefit from receiving a small amount of supplemental chromium. Relaxation of a stiff, braced posture usually occurs after a couple of weeks.  Feeding magnesium twice per day has been found to produce better results than feeding just once per day as the horse is able to absorb a higher overall daily amount.  For severe problems, an introductory period of feeding small amounts of magnesium throughout the day may be beneficial, providing there is no intestinal disruption.

Important:  Supplemental minerals, including magnesium, should not be fed to any horse with existing renal problems. Consult a veterinarian or a qualified natural health practitioner for animals, for advice before feeding any minerals to any horse with suspected kidney function issues. 

Note: This information is intended for educational purposes only.