Magnesium - what strength do you feed

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dancingkris

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Hi all

I have been feeding my boys the 99% heavy magnesium and am just about to run out. I have been looking at the lower strength (85% I think it is) and as it is considerably cheaper I wondered if anyone knew of the differences (apart from the amounts to be fed) between the two?

Thanks
 
I am the same as you. Have just bought some of the weaker stuff since it was cheaper. If u do get the weaker stuff, buy 2 bags as the bag is smaller since its heavier per volume if that makes sense?

Even though it says feed 1g more per 100kg body weight to the 99% stuff, because it's heavier, I am actually feeding them the same size scoop as before if that makes any sense. It's also bigger granules do less messy than the powder of the 99% stuff.
 
From my experience the main differences are, (i) the consistency: the 90%+ mag ox is generally finer (like a fine powder) and mixes better into feeds/chaff and is supposed to be more palatable (although I've never experienced a palatability issue with any mag ox I've fed) and, (ii) the Fe (iron) content is normally higher in the lower % versions. Worth checking if your land is already high in Fe, like mine is.

My land is particularly low in magnesium and I've fed both high and lower % mag ox, both to good effect.
 
Unfortunately it's not quite as simple as that, what you're getting is whatever percentage it is of magnesium oxide, not straight magnesium so your horses are actually only getting half what you think they are.

I'm not scientific at all so don't really understand the science behind it but it's the information Nic Barker gave me when my lad left Rockley. Apparently whatever strength it is she recommends feeding a 50g scoop daily. Any less and it doesn't work as well as it could. For anyone worrying about overdoing it, any excess is simply wee'd out and not harmful.
 
I have been reading a pamphlet that came in H&H this week from equifeast where it states that excess magnesium blocks calcium receptors in nerve endings thus sedating the horse and causing a ticking time bomb if the horse gets excited causing adrenline to pump round what is essentially a sedated horse ? of course they are promoting a calcium product but is there any truth in their statement re magnesium. They state that most horses are high in mag anyway, so dont know what to believe.
 
irishdraft said:
I have been reading a pamphlet that came in H&H this week from equifeast where it states that excess magnesium blocks calcium receptors in nerve endings thus sedating the horse and causing a ticking time bomb if the horse gets excited causing adrenline to pump round what is essentially a sedated horse ? of course they are promoting a calcium product but is there any truth in their statement re magnesium. They state that most horses are high in mag anyway, so dont know what to believe.
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Hmmm.... I have the MOST wired horse on the planet. My grazing/hay is also very high in calcium and very low in magnesium and I've noticed a very pleasant and consistent change in my mare's behaviour since I've been able to balance her ration. She's prone to tantrums and I'm sure if there was any chance of her getting an extra adrenalin rush from the magnesium supplementation, I would have experienced it before now. LOL.

That said, we genuinely do have low magnesium levels where we graze and cut our hay, so I doubt I'm providing excess mag to mine. Quite possibly, it might be a different story if I was over supplementing the mineral. Interesting.
 
I have a friend who's horse gets more excitable when on magnesium than when off it, assuming he is getting enough magnesium in his diet there so the effects described in the leaflet could be correct? Also if you feed too much magnesium it gives the horse diarrhea.
 
jaye1780 said:
I have a friend who's horse gets more excitable when on magnesium than when off it, assuming he is getting enough magnesium in his diet there so the effects described in the leaflet could be correct? Also if you feed too much magnesium it gives the horse diarrhea.
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I thought that, ordinarily, excess magnesium fed in the form of magnesium oxide is excreted via urine, although the diarrhoea rumour might come from when people use/d Magnesium sulphate (AKA Epsom salts), traditionally fed with a bran mash to "keep things moving". Not sure about CalMag though, or other forms of magnesium supplementation less used for equines, like Magnesium lactate, Magnesium chloride and Magnesium gluconate. These other forms of magnesium are supposed to be better absorbed that Mag ox, so might be more likely to be consumed to excess. :confused:
 
claribella said:
Just to add, the weaker of the two tastes diff. My girl won't eat it but I think the higher percentage is virtually tasteless.
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Yes, had read some people have found the coarser, lower % versions to be less palatable. Luckily, mine eats it, but I guess it's a definite consideration if you've a fussy feeder. No point buying something they wont eat.
 
Calmag is what I feed my horse. The only difference between it and the powders you buy online is that it's less refined and does taste stronger. Luckily my horse is happy to eat it, and I must admit the price difference is amazing. A whole £17.40 for 25kgs, and mine is more expensive than some of the others on here!

Magnesium oxide isn't a risk with causing problems because it is wee'd out if fed in excess. I don't know about the other forms of magnesium though.

I'm going to take my other horse barefoot soon and knowing she's a fussy eater I'm planning to give her copra meal to help take the taste of the calmag away a bit. Works for the horses Nic has at Rockley. :)
 
bikerchickone said:
Calmag is what I feed my horse. The only difference between it and the powders you buy online is that it's less refined and does taste stronger. Luckily my horse is happy to eat it, and I must admit the price difference is amazing. A whole £17.40 for 25kgs, and mine is more expensive than some of the others on here!
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Not used CalMag myself. How much magnesium does it provide and how much do you feed yourself?
 
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