Magnesium Q & A
Q: What are some reasons to supplement magnesium?
A: Signs of magnesium deficiency can include nervousness, muscle tremors, spookiness, horse is easily excitable, muscle fatigue/soreness.
Q: Can I add Epsom salts to my horse's feed or water to supplement magnesium?
A: You can, but you shouldn't. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate – sulfate and oxide forms are not nearly as well assimilated by the body as organic (chelated) forms of magnesium. As well, regular feeding of things such as Epsom salts can cause side effects to your horse such as loose manure etc. You can also overfeed magnesium which leads to other mineral imbalances and the side effects they cause.
Q: So how/when should I add extra magnesium to my horse's diet??
A: Often just giving your horse the basic free choice minerals and having your horse on a good basic vitamin/mineral supplement will be enough. However if your horse is found to be Mg deficient, a supplement such as Easy Boy with organic chelated magnesium & the necessary minerals to balance it is a good place to start.
Table 6. Trace Mineral Levels Required, Toxic Levels, and Levels Found in Feedstuffs. |
|
|
|
Normal Range Found in Feed |
Mineral |
Required |
Toxic |
Roughages |
Grain |
Potassium, % |
0.4 |
|
1.5 - 2.5 |
0.3 - 0.05 |
Magnesium, % |
0.09 |
|
0.15 - 0.6 |
0.1 - 0.02 |
Sulfur, % |
0.15 |
|
0.15 - 0.5 |
0.15 - 0.4 |
Iron, ppm |
50 |
|
150 - 400 |
30 - 90 |
Zinc, ppm |
40 -60 |
200 |
17 - 22 |
17 - 50 |
Manganese, ppm |
40 |
|
25 - 190 |
6 - 45 |
Copper, ppm |
20-30 |
|
5 - 25 |
4 - 9 |
Cobalt, ppm |
0.1 |
|
|
|
Selenium, ppm |
0.1 |
5.0 |
|
|
Iodine, ppm |
0.1 |
4.8 |
|
|
Chart credit to ohioline.edu.isu
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