Magnesium as calmer- experiences?

[Canelloni]

Thinking of trying magnesium supplement as a calmer. Interested to hear about any experiences of this. Success? How long did it take to work? What type of stressy behavior were you dealing with?

 

[Caol Ila]

My experience is that it only works as a calmer if magnesium deficiency in your hay/grazing is contributing to stressy behaviour. My very (very) lay person's understanding is that Mg is one of the things that helps the muscles funcion correctly, and a deficiency could cause issues like cramps and generally feeling off. Both of my horses are on Mg because I know our grazing has low amounts of it. One is a stressy idiot, and the other is so laid back she is almost horizontal.

My stressy horse is also on ashwagandha powder. I think it sort of works, and it has less side effects than stuff like valerian.