Magnesium Flakes for Horses

  • As a horse owner, you know about magnesium chloride, a vital mineral that can have a huge impact on the health, performance, and wellbeing of your horse. Most horse feeds contain phosphorous and potassium but often lack magnesium.

    These magnesium flakes are mined in the Tobetan Plateau and are the purest flakes on the planet.  Magnesium Chloride Food-Grade Flakes Magnesium (Mg) plays a number of important roles in your horse’s body. It is a vital mineral used in over 350 biochemical processes and involved in thousands of others. For example, magnesium is required for cellular energy or energy production. It also plays an important role in muscle and nerve function.

    Horses deficient in magnesium can show signs of nervousness, excitability, wariness, and have muscle tremors. Magnesium is also known to help reduce equine obesity as well as lessen the risk of laminitis in horses that are prone to it. An increasing number of veterinarians are recommending magnesium to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms that are commonly found in horses.

    Magnesium is known to help with:

    • Nervousness
    • Anxiety 
    • Horses that spook easily
    • Wariness
    • Excitability and irritability
    • Muscle tremors, spasms, and twitches
    • Stress 
    • Insulin resistance 
    • Hoof problems
    • Laminitis
  • Here are a few of the most common signs of magnesium deficiencies 
    • Sudden shyness at familiar objects or people
    • Aggression towards owners or herd-mates
    • Separation anxiety
    • Excessive sweating in hot weather, shivering in warm, wet weather
    • Stiff, braced posture with deep V behind withers
  • Hexahydrate 98% MgCl2.6H20 (min 46% MgCl2) - Food-grade quality magnesium chloride salt with sea trace minerals

  • Here are some suggested tips that can help your horse’s muscle relax and recover after an afternoon ride or competition.

    Suggested Procedure* from some horse owners in Australia. 

    • Create a 30% solution by dissolving 300g of MgCl flakes in 1 liter (33.8 fluid oz) of hot water.   Any remaining liquid can be reheated in a saucepan or microwave for the next day’s application.
    • Wash the horse to remove oils and dirt that may reduce absorption of the MgCl solution through the skin.
    • Rinse with warm water to open pores in the skin
    • Apply the warm MgCl solution to the neck, back, rump and hamstring muscles using a small sponge, as indicated in yellow on the diagram below.  It may be preferable to avoid the saddle area if the horse is in ridden work.
    • Massage the solution into the skin gently.
    • Cover the horse with a light rug to prevent the solution from drying too quickly, and to keep the skin warm.
    • Leave horse tied to stand quietly for 30 minutes, to prevent rolling. Rinse the solution off the skin to prevent any possible irritation.

    Suggested Use for Feed: Dissolve 3 tbsp in 15 oz of water Put 2 tsp of dissolved magnesium solution onto the feed twice a day Increase every three days the dosage by 1 tsp per feeding until you reach 8 tsp. If your horse's manure is softened at any time, back off a dosage until the bowels have built up a tolerance. Slowly add magnesium to your horse's diet to avoid scouring. if your horse is not showing any signs of loose manure, you can continue to increase the dosage as before. After a month on magnesium, your horse may have loose manure. That is a sign that your horse is receiving more magnesium than needed. Reduce the dosage to the previous level.

    Suggested Use for Hoof Soak: Add 1/4 c of magnesium flakes into a bucket with two gallons of warm water. Soak the hoof for 15 min and then let stand for 5 minutes.  Rinse off the hoof with warm water.

    Suggested Use for Bath: Add 1 c of magnesium flakes into a 5 gallon bucket of warm water. While the flakes dissolve, hose your horse off. Scrap any water off your horse. Soak a sponge into the solution and apply all along your horse's back, withers, hind end, and legs.  Let is soak for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

    *Suggested use from horse owners from Australia. Please consult your vet before using any new products on your horse. 



Next Previous

Related Items