magnesium

[Glenys]

Hi everyone
has anyone used epsom salts (magnesium) as a calmer ? have been reading about it on line and wondered whether to add it to feed once horses come in on our yard, my pony just hates being in her stable but during the winter they hardly get any turnout, she screams and kicks the wall, before I had her she lived out 24/7

 

[PapaFrita]

There are several people on here who have, and in fact I have too (after reading about it here) though I can't say for certain whether they really did work (PF's personality is such that she can behave like a donkey one day and be a firecracker the next!) Certainly worth a go. They don't taste very nice though and a bit of salt helps mask the bitterness.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I have not used epsom salts but have been using Magnesium oxide for the past two months- its not too exspensive, I bought two bags for about £13 (I think - goldfish brain) and have not even finished the first one yet (I am giving it to a 15.3, 14.1 and two sec A's).

There has been a noticable (but not imediate) calming. My 14.1 has separation anxiety when even one of the others is taken away, instead of screaming and cantering around the field she now just paces and gives thge odd neigh - not a magic cure but definately an improvement.

The 15.3 is a 5YO, she was being a typical TB baby, napping and all the usual capers, she has been much better too. I also read that its supposed to be good for acid and ulcers. As she had been on a racing yard I thought it wouldnt harm her to try it. The littlies I just give it to because they are on restricted grazing and the feed balancer they are on doesnt mention magnesium!

 

[pagancluf]

My neddy two weeks ago was a nightmare, so much so I was nervous of riding him again

, he was running backwards on a hack, jogging, doing mini rears etc, so thought right need to do something; went to tack shop and bought Magnesium "magic" calmer - been putting in his feed for 10 days and he is DEF better - we even managed to get through water (he hates it) and also past a tractor (he usually bolts or runs in a hedge), so I am def impressed. Didn't know about the ulcer thing Magicmillbrook, so thisis even better news as he was an ex-racer.

 

[Chex]

I feed magnesium, but not as a calmer. I would use magnesium oxide, rather than epsom salts though. Chex is a chilled out pony anyway, so I imagine that why it hasn't affected him.

 

[JillA]

MagOx transformed my horse from being scared of his own shadow and unsafe to ride into a chilled one who's favourite thing in the whole world is standing still. Took just a week to 10 days to totally transform him.
I'm told it works by blocking adrenaline, so works best on those horses who are constantly running on adrenaline. It's cheap enough to give it a try in my opinion, and it benefits their feet too.

 

[Glenys]

Thanks to all of you for you advice will try the MagOx its worth a try, just dont like my Neddy being stressed out when she has to stop in, Thought I might try some rubber on the wall as well, scared incase she hurts herself when kicking the wall.