Sources of Magnesium for Your Horse
Magnesium is a crucial macromineral necessary in the equine diet to aid muscle contraction, maintain ion balance in the blood, and activate enzymes throughout the body.
Signs of magnesium deficiency in horses include anxious behavior, such as spooking, shying, pacing, weaving, muscle tremors, and poor coordination. It can also cause choppy, or short strides, girthiness or 'cold back'. Severe magnesium deficiency along with excessive exercise can result in tying up.
Magnesium supplements for horses come in various forms and are helpful for supporting muscle function and promoting calmness, which is why we call our magnesium supplement "Calm Mix".
Whenever we post Calm Mix on social media, inevitably someone will comment that magnesium oxide is not as bioavailable as other sources. This is not correct.
When selecting a magnesium supplement, consider the concentration and bioavailability of different products. Magnesium oxide is highly concentrated, making it one of the most cost-effective options for horses.
Aside from improving muscle health and disposition. Oral administration of magnesium has proven to assist in headshaking and insulin resistance.
It's important to consider the bioavailability and concentration of magnesium because less concentrated sources will need to be fed at higher levels to supply the same amount of elemental magnesium. This has cost and palatability implications.
Only magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) and magnesium carbonate (half of dolomite) have had their bioavailability studied in horses, and all three have the same bioavailability of 70%.
The bioavailability of other magnesium compounds is unknown in horses, and their values are derived from studies on humans and rodents. This is important, because the social media posters are generally supporting magnesium citrate.
Magnesium oxide has the highest concentration of elemental magnesium per serving, meaning you can feed much less than others.
You only need to feed 36 grams of magnesium oxide to yield 20 grams of elemental magnesium. In comparison, you would need to feed 125 grams of the less-concentrated magnesium citrate to yield the same dosage. And it's cheaper!
Dosages on Calm Mix will vary greatly depending on the size of your horse, the amount of macro-minerals in the rest of the diet, the amount of stress and exercise that your horse is experiencing.
We always encourage owners to vary their Calm Mix dosage depending on their own horse's circumstances.
You might increase the dose before and after travelling or competing. As a rule of thumb, if you feed too little, signs of deficiency will return, and if you feed too much, generally their manures will become loose.
Benefits of Magnesium for Your Horse
Supports Nervous System Function
Magnesium is essential for nerve function and can help horses with nervous or anxious tendencies. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to muscle twitches, tremors, and even seizures.Â
Promotes Relaxation and Calmness
Magnesium has a calming effect on horses and can help reduce anxiety and stress. This is especially beneficial for horses that are easily stressed, such as those that compete or travel frequently.Â
Supports Muscular Health
Magnesium is essential for healthy muscle function and can help prevent muscle cramps and stiffness. It also plays a role in energy metabolism, which is important for horses that are in training or competition. By supplementing with magnesium, horses can maintain healthy muscle function and recover more quickly after exercise.
Promotes Bone Health
Magnesium is also important for bone health and can help prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. It works together with calcium and vitamin D to promote strong bones and teeth. Horses that are older or that have been injured may benefit from a magnesium supplement to support bone strength and repair.
Calm Mix is available in 1kg, 3kgs and 5kg (5kg is a drop down option in the 3kg listing)
Commentaires