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| Author |
Message |
    
Sue McElroy (Jodi)
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 5, 2001 - 12:51 pm: |   |
I have a 9 y.o. thoroughbred mare who really has trouble settling down under saddle. She is very smart and sensitive. It takes her a while to warm up. It would be nice not to have to fight with her all the time to get her to settle down long enough to learn something.I just heard about a natural calming supplement called "quiessencehorse" it appears to be made up of mostly, magnesium. Has anyone heard of this or has tried it? |
josephine milano (Jojo15)
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 5, 2001 - 11:28 pm: | |
I have used Quietex before. Sounds like its the same, maybe different brands. I have only used before I trailer my TB, she would get so worked up and at new venues. It seems to work well. Its all natural ingredients. Whether or not she is just maturing is possible, but I never took the chance after our first "not so smooth" ride. I feed it an hour or so before I go. My vet even recommended it as opposed to a mild tranq. I'll see what the ingredients are if interested.
Also my farrier uses herbal/flower essences on his more difficult horses. dabs a little on their nose and horse remains calm and relaxed.
I would give it a try and see if you observe any difference. I did a test before I trailered her again (just gave her some and watched her reaction) but she was in her comfort zone and I didn't see much of a difference in that instance, but I saw it when I trailered her. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 6:44 am: | |
As always I must step in and be the party pooper with the following admonition: None of the agents have been shown to be effective and my experience suggests that most people with time quit using them feeling they either did not work in the first place or soemtimes they believe: they quit working. Before you pay high dollars for a "magnesium" supplement remember that Epson's Salts is pure magnesium sulfate and very cheap. You may have to do some calculations to get the dose the same.
DrO |
Amy E. Coffman (Redroan8)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 9:59 am: | |
Hi Sue,
There is an in-depth discussion between (among others) equine veterinarian Eleanor Kellon and biochemist Linsey McLean, on the benefits of magnesium, at http://members.screenz.com/gretchenfathauer/Magnesium_posts.htm
Magnesium deficiency can predispose a horse to a lot of different problems.
The type of agitation you are describing is often feed-related, so it would be helpful to know what you are feeding this mare, and if she is getting daily turnout. At nine, if she's getting something like 14% sweet feed, she's likely to have trouble settling down. Some horses have a very low tolerance for sweet-feed at all, and get wound up just like kids who've had too much sugar. It's an unpleasant state to be in, and they can't really calm down any more than we can force ourselves to be wide-awake after having taken antihistimines. Also, some horses react to alfalfa this same way--by having a hard time quieting down.
There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence as to magnesium's efficacy as a calming agent, but this probably has more to do with bringing things into balance in the body than any sort of short-term "tranquilizing" effect. And balance is what you want anyway... no more protein than required, no less turnout than needed, etc.
Best wishes,
Amy |
Sue McElroy (Jodi)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 11:10 am: | |
Thank you for responding. My mare's feed is not the problem. She is on a 10% sweet feed, excellent timothy hay and a sprinkle of alfalfa. She gets plenty of turnout and is ridden at least 3 times a week. I believe more than anything, it is her attitude as well as her nature; senisitive, smart and powerful. I just went to the website you referred me to and surpirsingly, Dr. Elenor Kellon listed quiessence as a quality product. You can go to www.foxdenequine.com to learn more about quiessence. It is 5gms of magnesium from magnesium oxide. I am not into chemistry so I really don't know what that means. I think I am going to try it and see if it makes a difference. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2001 - 2:37 pm: | |
The magnesium discussion is interesting but it should be noted that natural horse feeds supply between 100% and 300% of the daily requirements in horses, with rapidly growing grass being the lowest.
There are no reported cases of deficiency in horses on regular feed. In the literature, can only find a single possible case in a lactating mare developing calcium/magnesium deficiency tetany while being transported (and not being fed) over 30 years ago. Magnesium deficiency has been experimentally induced and symptoms were: muscle tremors, ataxia, sweating, and collapse. Some of these symptoms could be described as exhibiting nervousness.
The research I have indicates that Mg and Ca do not slow down the rate of digestion or absorption of each other. But, phosphorous will slow down the rate of absorption of both. The literature says that absorption rates of the oxide and sulfate form are about the same. These are contrary to Dr. Kellons statements and I would like to know if there is information to the contrary.
If you give it a try Sue, let us know what happens. Toxicity is even rarer (though not nonexistant) than deficiency so there is little risk to anything but your pocketbook. If you feel if helps I will get out my periodic chart and calculate a dosage using Epson salts and saving you big bucks.
DrO |
Sue McElroy (Jodi)
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 2, 2001 - 7:22 am: | |
Hi everyone, a month has gone by and I just wanted to update you on my use of quiessence. I thought I would give it month's try. I used 2 ounces daily. I want to report, that yes, I think it did help in calming my horse, but, that it is really hard to say if it was the quiessence or other variables, such as turnout, finally understanding what I am trying to teach her, change in bit, riding better etc. At first, I really did think it made a difference, and overall I think it did help, but, for the $25.00 a month to feed I think I can live without it. I am going to go off of it and see how she reacts. I'll keep you posted. |
Francine Arrington (Francine)
| | Posted on Sunday, Dec 30, 2001 - 8:11 pm: | |
Sue, the last message you posted re the "quiessence", was that "you thought it worked but wasn't sure" and that you were going to discontinue it's use and see if you noticed a difference in your horse. that was in April - It's now December -- did you see any difference? Did you go back to the quiessence? |
Leslie LD
New Member
Username: claudius
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 6:35 pm: | |
I had read that Epsom Salts in water used to be used as a "purge"....what is a purge? and is there any danger of "purging" a horse while adding Epsom Salts in place of Magnesium??? |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 1014
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 - 8:26 am: | |
A purge is a laxative. If you mix Epsom Salts in water and drink it, you will need to stay close to the bathroom! Works pretty fast.
I've never heard of using ES for magnesium for horses, just for plants. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 17766
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 - 12:50 pm: | |
For more on magnesium as part of the diet see, Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Feeds, & Feeding » Minerals and Nutrition.
DrO |
