The critical mineral that keeps horses calm and relaxed
When a horse gets excited, its body uses magnesium to calm down and relax. Magnesium plays an important role in nerve and muscle function. Horses deficient in this vital mineral often show signs of nervousness, wariness, excitability, jumpiness, tight sore backs (not related to saddle fit), muscle tremors, and hypersensitive skin – our products can help.
Signs that your horse may be magnesium deficient
- Very tight, sore back not related to activity, fitness level or saddle fit
- Horse never really relaxes
- Cranky about being brushed or palpated especially over the back on either side of the spine
- Cranky about being blanketed
- History of tying up
- Muscle tremors or all over trembling not related to outside temperature
- Requires long periods of lunging before being able to focus on work
- Does not tolerate work well and works up, not down
- Bucks shortly after workout begins, seems fine at first then bucks or balks
- Would be described as ‘thin skinned’ or hypersensitive to touch
- Chiropractic adjustments, massage and body work do not have lasting effects
- Has difficulty getting round or picking his back up under saddle, moves hollow
- Difficulty focusing on work, poor work ethic
- Can’t be still, repetitive movement, weaving, pacing, head bobbing
Your horse may show multiple signs, either continuously, or only during times of stress or competition when magnesium requirements are highest.
What contributes to magnesium deficiency?
- Stress, and stress hormones, adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol (Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands – it is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response to stress)
- Adrenaline, which burns through magnesium
- Physical exertion, sweat, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances
- Diuretics (Lasix given on the track routinely, and to speed event horses/barrel horses)
- Excessive sodium and/or calcium supplementation, or a calcium rich diet
- Imbalances in calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
How much magnesium is needed daily?
Why feed Magnesium to Horses?
Magnesium and the athlete – What the experts say