Horse crazy from March to August

[horseqna]

Hello!

I have a 7 year old ISH, had him since he was 5. Every single year bang on in March he turns from dope on a rope donkey (all winter) to crazy in spring and summer?

he rears, he’s bargey, he’s like a kite to handle and it can get to the point I can’t even ride him for weeks cause he’s so naughty.

I’m at a loss at why this happens? I thought it was because he was young at first but I no longer think this is the case? I’ve now tried lowering his feed to see if that helps.

Any advice welcome please cause I’m at a loss!

 

[ycbm]

Do you feed him magnesium and salt? Spring grass is not good for a lot of horses, the mineral balances are all out of whack. I would be giving him 50g of salt and 25g of magnesium oxide (cheapest as calmag/calcined magnesium from an agricultural store).

And if that doesn't work I'd be cutting down on his grass intake in some way and feeding hay or haylage if he needs more food.
.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Do you feed him magnesium and salt? Spring grass is not good for a lot of horses, the mineral balances are all out of whack. I would be giving him 50g of salt and 25g of magnesium oxide (cheapest as calmag/calcined magnesium from an agricultural store).

And if that doesn't work I'd be cutting down on his grass intake in some way and feeding hay or haylage if he needs more food.
.

Agree with this mine are started on mag ox in March every year and fed table salt all year round.

 

[horseqna]

Do you feed him magnesium and salt? Spring grass is not good for a lot of horses, the mineral balances are all out of whack. I would be giving him 50g of salt and 25g of magnesium oxide (cheapest as calmag/calcined magnesium from an agricultural store).

And if that doesn't work I'd be cutting down on his grass intake in some way and feeding hay or haylage if he needs more food.
.

where would I get magnesium oxide? Thanks! Will try this!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

where would I get magnesium oxide? Thanks! Will try this!

I get mine from intra labs you can buy direct or they also sell from ebay.

If you put magnesium oxide 1kg into search box on ebay its normally the cheapest on there, you can buy smaller or larger quantities.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Have a look at Calm Healthy Horses website, it really helped me with mine and has so much information.

And ditto the other users that adding or increasing magnesium & salt levels is a huge benefit.

 

[Birker2020]

Do you feed him magnesium and salt? Spring grass is not good for a lot of horses, the mineral balances are all out of whack. I would be giving him 50g of salt and 25g of magnesium oxide (cheapest as calmag/calcined magnesium from an agricultural store).

And if that doesn't work I'd be cutting down on his grass intake in some way and feeding hay or haylage if he needs more food.
.

Would you feed this in electrolyte form?

 

[ycbm]

Would you feed this in electrolyte form?

They are electrolytes when they dissolve in the stomach, by definition, but I feed them as powder or granules.
.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Would you feed this in electrolyte form?

I'm very careful about feeding pre-made electrolytes as the ones I've looked at often contain potassium - which is what Spring-Autumn grass is often high in & can cause issues (or it does for mine, anyway).

 

[ycbm]

where would I get magnesium oxide? Thanks! Will try this!

I buy 25kg from an agricultural merchant for about £15.

 

[billylula]

Is feeding table salt OK for horses prone to ulcers?

 

[Highmileagecob]

Are you around mares coming in season? Some geldings continue to get revved up in the summer months despite their reduced hormones.