Magnesium is becoming increasingly recommended by veterinarians for its therapeutic value. In this article, we discuss the top five uses of magnesium supplementation and how your horse may benefit.

• A calming agent: Most commonly, magnesium is used for its calming benefits. Many anecdotal reports link nervousness to magnesium deficiency in the diet. As magnesium levels vary in commercial horse feeds and pastures in New Zealand are often deficient in magnesium, magnesium supplementation can restore the balance of magnesium in the body.

• A faster recovery for synchronous diaphragmatic flutter: In addition to reducing nervous and excitable behaviours, magnesium supplementation has also resulted in dramatic improvements in reducing nerve excitability, including thumps. Usually seen in endurance horses with electrolyte imbalances, treatment with calcium and magnesium has minimised recovery time.

• Support for horses with tying up: While calcium and magnesium work together to enable muscle contraction and relaxation, magnesium deficiency in the diet may not be the only cause for muscle spasms. Many anecdotal reports have found positive outcomes using magnesium supplementation for horses with low magnesium linked to genetic conditions, such as tying up.

• Protection against inflammation and free radical damage: Veterinary medicine is showing promise in the protective role of magnesium supplementation against harmful free radicals. Horses with colic that results in laminitis (inflammation) or endotoxin release often have low blood magnesium levels. As such, it is hoped magnesium supplementation may be helpful.

• Support for horses with insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome: While scientific studies have yet to explore this in horses, researchers have discovered magnesium plays a critical role in human diabetes. Many anecdotal reports link magnesium supplementation to improved insulin response, reduced cresty neck and lowered laminitis risk in horses.

Using Placide

Many commercial horse feeds lack additional magnesium, and magnesium availability in forages can fluctuate drastically, depending on the amount of digestible fibre and the presence of oxalates.

As such, relying on commercial horse feeds and forage sources alone may not be enough to provide your horse with the optimum amount of daily magnesium to counter the health and behavioural issues linked to low magnesium.

At Placide, we only use organic chelated magnesium, which provides your horse with a 20% absorption rate - 12% higher than inorganic magnesium sulfate and magnesium oxide supplements - that can be used safely every day, without any side effects.

Placide is the number one equine calming supplement in New Zealand. Containing organic, chelated magnesium, Placide works to relax muscles, reduce stress and support your horse’s health for improved performance in less than one week. Click here to find out more.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as veterinary advice. At Placide, we encourage you to make health care decisions for your horse based on your own research and in partnership with a qualified veterinarian.