Magnesium deficiency in winter?

[MickeyFinn22]

I am wondering if anyone else can shed any light on magnesium deficiencies in the winter, as I am womdering if its possible my boy is suffering. This is only the second winter I have had him, and both winters he has suddenly overnight become overly sensitive and very spooky. The worst is the top end of the arena. He will hardly entertain it and the tiniest noise he is bucking and carrying on. Tonight I brought him in and tried to groom him, which he was twitchy and grumpy about (usually LOVES grooming). I dared to cough and he nearly shot through the roof . He is fed a very low starch and sugar feed once a day and gets unlimited hay in the field, haylage on a night. He is exercised 5 times a week. This behaviour is only through the winter, in the summer he is good as gold!

Ive done loads of in hand work, positive reinforcement training and let him explore the top end of the arena and he sometimes has better days, but as a rule, the minute he comes in for winter its the scariest thing in the world. I did just wonder if it could be a deficiency of some order rather than just the usual "winter dragon" behaviour?

 

[Nudibranch]

In terms of grazing, the spring and autumn flush are the worst for magnesium deficiency, particularly spring. At least from a farming point of view!
Possibly more likely might be reduction in turnout? Also, check he's not a bit chilly. Mines hunter clipped and definitely goes spooky when she feels a bit cold.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Could be I feed magnesium all year round it doesn't do any harm and is cheap enough, I find mine go spooky and silly just after clock change and if it gets colder which is around about now and they were twits last week.

 

[MickeyFinn22]

In terms of grazing, the spring and autumn flush are the worst for magnesium deficiency, particularly spring. At least from a farming point of view!
Possibly more likely might be reduction in turnout? Also, check he's not a bit chilly. Mines hunter clipped and definitely goes spooky when she feels a bit cold.

Oh indeed I don't doubt that the stabling contributes, he tends to run warm too and he has a chaser clip and always feels warm under rugs. Its the total edginess!

 

[MickeyFinn22]

Could be I feed magnesium all year round it doesn't do any harm and is cheap enough, I find mine go spooky and silly just after clock change and if it gets colder which is around about now and they were twits last week.

I could be tempted to bob a bit in his feed, i can understand spookiness and general giddiness due to change of routine but he just seems always on edge!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Have a look at poiuytrewq's thread about selling a horse. That horse also changes personality as the nights draw in.

 

[lynz88]

Mine is grumpy guts to groom in the winter. I've given up trying to figure out what his problem is!

(Tbh, once he's been moving/exercised, he is happy to be groomed. Before then....watch out)

 

[ycbm]

I found some research for another poster recently. It shows there are lower magnesium and calcium and calcium controlling hormones the shorter the hours get.

Both minerals are known to cause behaviour problems when too low. You probably need to supplement both.

I don't know why this isn't better known, it must affect so many horses.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jpn.12477

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I could be tempted to bob a bit in his feed, i can understand spookiness and general giddiness due to change of routine but he just seems always on edge!

It's quite common I think a combination of colder, in more can affect some horses more, mine do settle after a while it's like they just adjust.

I get my mag ox from intralabs it's the cheapest I could find and they do loads of different sizes of bag, they are on ebay as well so easy to order.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I found some research for another poster recently. It shows there are lower magnesium and calcium and calcium controlling hormones the shorter the hours get.

Both minerals are known to cause behaviour problems when too low. You probably need to supplement both.

I don't know why this isn't better known, it must affect so many horses.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jpn.12477

I've never considered calcium deficiency never knew this was a thing I might try feeding that as well thanks

 

[MickeyFinn22]

I found some research for another poster recently. It shows there are lower magnesium and calcium and calcium controlling hormones the shorter the hours get.

Both minerals are known to cause behaviour problems when too low. You probably need to supplement both.

I don't know why this isn't better known, it must affect so many horses.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jpn.12477

Oh excellent thank you! Didnt think of calcium. I only got concerned because of the total alertness and jumpiness it is literally every tiny thing! I know they all go a bit crackers when the hours change and they are stabled but he is just completely the opposite of his summer self. I will defo give this a read thanks!

 

[MickeyFinn22]

It's quite common I think a combination of colder, in more can affect some horses more, mine do settle after a while it's like they just adjust.

I get my mag ox from intralabs it's the cheapest I could find and they do loads of different sizes of bag, they are on ebay as well so easy to order.

Yeah I understand him getting giddy or fizzy in the winter but he just seems scared and wary every waking hour! Thank you I will have a look at Mag Ox. Ive seen magnesium oxide on the horse herbs website at a reasonable price too.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yeah I understand him getting giddy or fizzy in the winter but he just seems scared and wary every waking hour! Thank you I will have a look at Mag Ox. Ive seen magnesium oxide on the horse herbs website at a reasonable price too.

I suppose they are all different how it makes them feel, my Louis gets very head tossy and a bit bargy and turns into a very opinionated Arab

 

[MickeyFinn22]

I suppose they are all different how it makes them feel, my Louis gets very head tossy and a bit bargy and turns into a very opinionated Arab

Oh absolutely! Oh good lord we have to love their extra spicy opinions

Also I have found Equimins do a supplement woth mag and calcium in! Its called Equimins magnesium calmer

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Oh absolutely! Oh good lord we have to love their extra spicy opinions

Also I have found Equimins do a supplement woth mag and calcium in! Its called Equimins magnesium calmer

Ok thanks will look at that