Newbie and seeking advice on feeding magnesium?

[Tiffany Blue]

Hi all, hope everyone is having a good morning so far.

I have joined up to the H&H forum as it seems a good place to be and I am just wondering if anyone could give me some advice.

I was recommended to feed Epsom salts to my pony who I have had on a slight diet since owning him. He lives out and can be a little nervous however I read recently that we shouldn't feed Epsom salts. I quickly cut it out of his feed (he has hay when snow/grass is frozen) and a small scoop of safe & sound. He has never had laminitis but of course now he is at the weight I was hoping for, I don't want him to turn into a porker again.

I am not sure if it's the time of year, or the fact I've stopped the Epsom salts, but his been a little unsettled again and it's timed perfectly with me cutting them out of his feed.

Is there an alternative I can feed? Hope all of above makes sense and thanks for any help offered

 

[NeverSayNever]

I would feed actual magnesium as opposed to epsom salts - proearth on ebay are reasonably priced.

 

[Tiffany Blue]

I would feed actual magnesium as opposed to epsom salts - proearth on ebay are reasonably priced.

Great, thanks ever so much found it straight away

 

[tallyho!]

Yes definitely get magnesium oxide. High grade. Calmag is also available however, despite lots of people on here saying its good, all of ours have found it unpalatable.

You can feed 2g per 100kg of the high grade magox. Don't know about the ratios of any others.

To be honest I just sprinkle a teaspoon of it on the feed and mix in. The difference in ours is very noticeable.

 

[Tiffany Blue]

Thanks Tallyho! I was feeding a teaspoon before (just a teaspoon of the wrong magnesium oops)

NeversayNever, what would to recommend? 99.7% or 85% as just noticed it comes in different percentages?

Many thanks

 

[Pinkvboots]

I feed mag ox to one of mine but not all year round they are supposed to have a break from it, so I sill start feeding it about now and see how she looks and play it by ear really, its very good at getting rid of cresty necks and fatty deposits over the body.

 

[Tiffany Blue]

I feed mag ox to one of mine but not all year round they are supposed to have a break from it, so I sill start feeding it about now and see how she looks and play it by ear really, its very good at getting rid of cresty necks and fatty deposits over the body.

Thanks, how long do you give them a break from it for?

 

[tallyho!]

Spring time is a good time to feed it, I dont feed it in summer months then start again when there is a flush of grass in autumn and depending on hay quality, I sometimes continue over winter at a reduced rate.