Magnesium Oxide

Available in 2kg bags

After oxygen, water, and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element needed to maintain health.  It has been reported to have a calming effect as well as being beneficial for obese horses and those predisposed to grass induced laminitis.

Magnesium is by far the most important mineral, regulating over 325 enzymes in the body.  Magnesium supplementation has been shown to improve performance as it increases oxygen delivery to muscle tissue; it promotes muscle strength, endurance and relaxation. Magnesium also activates enzymes necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids which lead to protein synthesis.

Calcium and magnesium work closely with each other.  Calcium needs magnesium to assimilate properly however magnesium does not need calcium.  Calcium is in charge of contracting the muscle and magnesium looks after the relaxation or release of the muscle much like a gas pedal and a clutch work together.    When a muscle cell is triggered, the cell membrane opens, letting calcium in and raising the calcium level in the cell setting off a reaction and the muscle contracts.  When the contraction is done, the magnesium inside the cell helps to push the calcium back out of the cell releasing the contraction.  This happens very rapidly.    When there is not enough magnesium in the cell, calcium can leak back in causing a stimulatory effect and the muscle cannot completely relax. This can put the body into a continually stressed state.  Low magnesium makes nerve endings hypersensitive thus exacerbating pain and noise.    

Magnesium is required for proper nerve and muscle function.

Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium can be too low or the calcium to magnesium ratio can be too high.
Horses with magnesium deficiency may have all or only a few of these signs so it is important be aware of them.    They may be borderline and only exhibit signs during competition or stress.  For instance, horses with magnesium deficiency often have very sore tight backs in spite of excellent saddles and pad, proper fit, conditioning and training.  They don’t respond well to chiropractic adjustments and massages or these treatments don’t last more than a couple days and the tension and soreness return.

Some signs:

~ Unable to relax physically or mentally
~ Muscle tremors, twitches, flinching skin, or all over body trembling especially after exertion (not related to outside temp)
~ Body tension
~ Does not tolerate long periods of work– often becoming more excited instead of working down
~ Has difficulty with collection or picking his back up under saddle, moves hollow
~ Random spooking, running through the bridle, inconsistent from one ride to the next
~ Angry about being brushed, blanketed or touched or palpated on either side of spine
~ History of tying up
~ Fatigue
~ Painful heats in mares
~ Bucking or rearing 20-30 minutes into a ride for no apparent reason
~ Requires long periods of lunging before being able to focus on work
~ Would be described as ‘thin skinned’ or over sensitive to sound or movement
~ Massage and chiropractic adjustments do not have lasting affects
~Teeth grinding
~ Irregular heartbeat or pounding heart- endurance horses often experience this at vet checks

Horses lose magnesium through sweat and urine and calcium rich diets can create an imbalance.
Magnesium toxicity is rare because excess is naturally excreted.   Magnesium should be split between morning and evening feedings to increase absorption and decrease its occasional laxative effects. Once a horse becomes low on magnesium, it is very difficult for them to catch up without supplementation.
Horse owners need to be aware that magnesium is in different forms and should avoid magnesium sulfate because of its laxative effect.  
Magnesium oxide is the best form as it's highly absorb-able, bio-available and has the least potential laxative effect.

Recommended dose:
Recommended dose is 6 to 10 grams daily or to bowel tolerance, for working horses exhibiting mild to moderate signs of magnesium deficiency.  Horses showing severe signs of deficiency may require more. Every horse is different and will have its own individual maintenance dose.

Magnesium Oxide costs can be found on the pinned post on this group page

Dosages for ponies:
Maintenance: 5g/day

Dosages for 500kg horses:
Maintenance: 10g/day

Dosages for 600kg+ horses:
Maintenance: 15g/day