Best magnesium calmer

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kandm

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Hi folks,

I'm thinking of trying my mare on a magnesium calmer. However, not sure which one to go for? What are peoples experiences? And I heard you can buy straight magnesium - is this correct?

Thanks in advance :).
 
-Don't bother buying straight magnesium, it rarely works.

NAF Magic is very good - off the NAF website: Magic is a magnesium calmer with a difference. It's a five star formula that contains a unique combination of herbs and nutrients known to help relax muscle tissue and support concentration. Magnesium is an essential nutrient to a horse’s wellbeing, and among its many roles is the regulation of nervous tension. As magnesium also acts on muscle tension, a horse low in magnesium may appear ‘tight’ in his way of going and express excitability or a lack of confidence. Low magnesium may be caused by a grazing deficiency or simply a horse or pony’s individual metabolism. Magnesium levels can also be reduced by regular travel and competition. Magic is more than just magnesium; it also contains a blend of herbs chosen for their traditional use in supporting confidence and concentration. The unique blend of magnesium and herbal support of Magic enables the horse to tackle all that is asked of it, calmly and confidently. Note: NAF are pleased to confirm that the magnesium used in Magic does not contravene FEI rules and is safe for use in all horses.

I can thoroughly recommend it, Ive had my boy on it for over 12 months, have taken him off it twice to see if it makes a difference and within days he reverted back to how he was before he was put on it. It makes him calmer in general and he de-escalates a lot quicker than he did, his spooks are very few and far between now.

My friends mare has improved vastly from what she was like and she is able to hack her longer distances and also finds that she de-escalates from a spook much quicker than before.
 
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I bought straight magnesium to little or no effect. It only cost £5 for over about a months worth compared to £20+ tub for branded version, worth a try if you feel like it but I can't say it made much or any difference.

I have used the NAF magic syringes to good effect on my horse who travels well but doesn't like loading into a trailer (used to lorries) - I think it did take the edge off. My friend also used one on her youngsters' 2nd time travelling to help calm as he had just come in from the field all full of it and I do think it helped. Sorry can't help with a longer term use calmer but that is my experiences so far.
 
Thanks for your reply all experiences are helpful. I'm aware that it could make b*gger all difference but feel it's worth a shot. Not going to lose anything except a few quid (okay maybe more) :).
 
kandm said:
Thanks for your reply all experiences are helpful. I'm aware that it could make b*gger all difference but feel it's worth a shot. Not going to lose anything except a few quid (okay maybe more) :).
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Countrywide Farmers had a deal on recently, it might be worth you checking. Buy two of a product and get the cheaper one free. If you bought two NAF Magic at £22 a time, that £44 for three tubs, well worth it.

Maybe Magic has something in it that other calmers don't have.
 
I've used various ones over the years, Magic, Supercalm & straight magnesium from a livestock place & to be honest none of them have made any difference in the slightest. Some people will point at the rider & blame the way they ride & say that causes the issues. It may be with some but sometimes it's the horse.

The only one I found did anything is 'Nupafeed'. It is very expensive, almost £100 for a 5 litre container (you can buy smaller) but I've found it does work. I dose one of my horses with a shot every day & he's been great/ So far the container has lasted 10 months so just under 30p per day. I'll continue to use it, the results we've had with him have been great & he's much happier when normally he would be stressed. :)
 
kandm said:
Thanks for the reply it's good to hear people's experiences! How long would you say it takes for the calmer to cut in?
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Good luck
 
As you probably know, a magnesium based calmer will only help if the horse is magnesium deficient.

I think with calmers it really is trial and error and often I think there is a placebo effect where you expect the horse to be calmer so it is calmer (if you see what I mean)
 
eggs said:
As you probably know, a magnesium based calmer will only help if the horse is magnesium deficient.

I think with calmers it really is trial and error and often I think there is a placebo effect where you expect the horse to be calmer so it is calmer (if you see what I mean)
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Yes I understand that it will only have an effect if the horse is deficient. But I figure there's no way to find out unless I try her on it :). I agree it could be placebo. It's mainly seasonal with my mare, I put her on regumate at this time of year (recommended by the vet), and that does take her hormonal edge off. However, she is still more fussy, spooky etc at this point of the year compared to the likes of summer when she is a dream. I read of NUPAFEEDS that deficiency's can be seasonal - please feel free to correct if I am wrong. But thought what the heck, may as well try it as if it works great, if not then I will happily explore other avenues.
 
I'm usually sceptical about calmers but I've also found NAF Magic has made a difference to my boy. I think that you just have to try a few, maybe for 3-4 weeks at a time.
 
We have tried several different brands and now use this: 90% purity Magnesium Oxide 900g £5.99 from Natural Horse Supplies, we use it on both a DWB mare and Welsh Section D mare. I wouldn't say it has a dramatic effect, but it certainly takes the edge off.
 
eggs said:
As you probably know, a magnesium based calmer will only help if the horse is magnesium deficient.

I think with calmers it really is trial and error and often I think there is a placebo effect where you expect the horse to be calmer so it is calmer (if you see what I mean)
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Exactly. If the horse is mag deficient, it needs magnesium oxide - if it makes no difference it's because the horse isn't deficient. I would be very wary of various fillers in calmers.

I only use 98% mag ox from pro earth.
 
I did read somewhere that the likes of Magic don't contain much magnesium, which makes you wonder about placebo. I would be looking at mag ox, or even just trying a proper general balancer. Pro Earth are very good.
 
Nudibranch said:
I did read somewhere that the likes of Magic don't contain much magnesium, which makes you wonder about placebo. I would be looking at mag ox, or even just trying a proper general balancer. Pro Earth are very good.
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I've had my horse 11 years and when he spins on the road or shies at something I laugh it off. I don't get anxious or upset out hacking, haven't for many a moon. So as far as I am concerned there is no placebo effect in place. Having taken it Magic off him twice and each time he reacted I think that speaks for itself.

I don't think its the volume of the magnesium, I think its what its combined with that makes the difference. I know of many who Magic has worked for. But many people try supplements and if they get no results in a couple of weeks go on to try something else and then declare the product a load of rubbish. I think it took a good five or six weeks to have any effect on my horse. Like I said he will still spook, but not nearly as dramatically and he never spins on the road now.
 
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Toby_Zaphod said:
I've used various ones over the years, Magic, Supercalm & straight magnesium from a livestock place & to be honest none of them have made any difference in the slightest. Some people will point at the rider & blame the way they ride & say that causes the issues. It may be with some but sometimes it's the horse.

The only one I found did anything is 'Nupafeed'. It is very expensive, almost £100 for a 5 litre container (you can buy smaller) but I've found it does work. I dose one of my horses with a shot every day & he's been great/ So far the container has lasted 10 months so just under 30p per day. I'll continue to use it, the results we've had with him have been great & he's much happier when normally he would be stressed. :)
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Hi how long did it take to have an effect? Mine has been on nupafeed loading dose for 18 days and i'm still waiting for the significant improvement - it worked wonders for my previous horse
 
As magnesium only works when there is a deficiency in the diet it may be an idea to look at the soil analysis charts available online, they show clearly where magnesium is plentiful, and where there is very little in the soil (mainly mountainous and hilly areas are deficient). If your area has plentiful magnesium in the soil there would be no point in supplementing, but if it`s shown as deficient it certainly is worth adding to the feed, allow about 6 weeks to see the results.
 
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