Magnesium, Enemic horse and Vitamins HELLLLLP PLEASE

[BeckiBoo]

I have a 17.1 thoroughbred, he is a rele calm horse and isnt usually sharp, however in the summer he seems to have an allergy to the pollen or something in the air and becomes a violent head shaker. Even though a nose net does calm his head shaking down he still gets very stressed and upset. I have been told by a few people at my yard to give him Magnesium as it is a natural calmer. Does anyone agree or disagree with this? Or have any past experiences?

ALSO

Freddie(same horse) is enemic, again a few people at my yard have told me that root vegtables are a really good source of vitamins and other nutrients that can help with his iron defficiency. Again does anyone have any views on this?

I would rele appreciate them as i am only a young (16) rider and would love to compete this summer but his health is more important

THANKYOU

 

[RachelB]

I think I remember that JessPickle's horse is anaemic... she might be able to give you some pointers on managing it if you send her a PM

I assume you have talked to your vet though about what you can do to help your horse?

 

[JessPickle]

Anemia is helped by iron supplements you can buy them, there is red cell/equisup and others. However they do give an energy boost as anemia usually causes lethargy so be careful!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Has the vet told you that Freddie is anaemic BB? Just asking because anaemia can be caused by things other than not enough iron in the diet. Dark green vegetables are a good source of iron but to be certain, I'd get a supplement that is high in iron. Your vet surely recommended this?

My horse Sunny is allergic to tree pollen and develops a dry hacking cough from May to September, poor lad. But headshaking is not well understood yet and isn't likely to be a simple allergic response. If you Google headshaking in horses, you will see how little is known about the causes and treatments. It is one of those problems that has a lower end and a higher end. At the lower end, the horse may just need to rub his nose on his foreleg when sweaty after a ride. At the higher end, you have horses that are unrideable because of the violence of their headshaking. It sounds as if your horse is somewhere in the middle but if he needs more help than a nose net to be a safe ride, you could be entering very expensive territory. How long have you had him hun? Has he always been like this in the summer or is he getting worse? Linking the two issues, you might try Coligone which soothes the stomach and gut of stressy horses: when your boy gets really stressed and headshakes so much, he could give himself ulcers which might also be a cause of his anaemia, because stomach ulcers bleed.

If you haven't before, I think you need the vet out to investigate his anaemia and to get some up to date advice on headshaking. Be warned, it's a vast subject with many differing views. You will need to pick your way through the jungle with the best advice possible.

 

[teddyt]

Magnesium helps the nervous system but will only help if the horse is lacking in magnesium. It is worth a try though, because head shaking may involve one or more of the facial nerves.
The cause of headshaking is unknown and could be one of many things. These include exposure to the Herpes virus at some point in the horses life, facial neuralgia, bright sunlight, pollen and there may also be a hereditary link. Bringing the horse in during the day when the sun is strong may help, and an all over fly mask at other times when out in the field. New research is being carried out into contact lenses for headshakers. The list really is endless! The best thing to do is to keep a diary and try to work out what makes the horse worse, for example what the weather was like on a good/bad day.
Anaemia can be treated with an iron supplement. If you havnt already it would be best to get your vet to investigate possible causes of anaemia, then he/she can also help you with the treatment.
Here is some more info on headshaking. It may not all be relevant to your horse but may help

http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/dbs/research/headshaking/what.htm


http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/fear-of-the-bit-part-2.php

 

[Cuffey]

What is the reason for the anaemia?
Can be caused by redworm?
Has your horse been wormed with either Panacur 5day or a Moxidectin wormer to deal with encysted redworm?

I dont think a magnesium supplement will help the head shaking
This probably needs expert help--a horse can be in great pain and cause itself further pain by hurting its head when headshaking
Sorry not much help

 

[kellyeaton]

if you know that our horse is anaenic iron is very good for that you can get something from the vet called vi sorbin very good for that sort of thing!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Re anaemia, it's worth repeating: even if you know for sure (blood test) that your horse is anaemic, pumping iron and supplements into him will only be of benefit if his diet is lacking iron. If he is anaemic from internal bleeding from eg worm damage, perforated ulcers, tumours etc then iron supplements will NOT address the underlying cause.