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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Calcium instead of Magnesium for calming

On your recommendation I tried the magnesium supplement and I think it (along with lots of training) has made a difference with my horse. But I just stumbled on to this and just wondered what you thought.

http://www.horsehero.com/editorial/?feat=83626

Where are you from? Cool, CA

Re: Calcium instead of Magnesium for calming

Hello Sheila,

Very interesting article and I agree that too much magnesium can be detrimental. Adding calcium, however, doesn't make much sense to me since forage generally has far more calcium than magnesium. Adding more calcium can be risky for horses. Humans have the ability to block excess calcium absorption, but horses do not. Therefore, the calcium can spill into the urine, leading to the formation of bladder stones.

Most horses do not get enough magnesium. And for those that do not, a supplement is helpful. But, if the horse is already getting adequate levels (1/2 the calcium intake), adding more magnesium will have no impact on behavior.

Minerals must be in balance and when horses are able to eat a variety of feedstuffs through natural grazing, they are able to obtain all the magnesium they require. In a domesticated setting, however, where they typically get fed the same thing, day in and day out, imbalances are likely to occur.

So, I often recommend a magnesium/b vitamin calming agent such as MMX to see if it makes a difference. If it does, you've hit the nail on the head. If, after two or three weeks, it does not have an impact, then magnesium is not the issue.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Sheila
On your recommendation I tried the magnesium supplement and I think it (along with lots of training) has made a difference with my horse. But I just stumbled on to this and just wondered what you thought.

http://www.horsehero.com/editorial/?feat=83626

Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio