Magnesium oxide supports proper muscle function and a healthy nervous system in horses. This essential mineral is required for bone growth, metabolic function and healthy hooves. Magnesium supplementation has been shown to have a calming effect in nervous horses.
Magnesium Oxide
Mad Barn’s magnesium oxide powder is a macromineral supplement that supports equine mood balance, performance, muscle function and metabolic health.
Magnesium plays many roles in the horse’s body. It is involved in the formation of bone and protein synthesis, helps to maintain electrolyte balance, influences nervous system regulation and is a co-factor for a number of enzymes.
This product is commonly used as an equine calming supplement. In one study, researchers in Australia fed 10 grams of added magnesium to horses (21 g total magnesium content in the diet) and observed a sedative-like calming effect that was comparable to a 0.04mg/kg bodyweight dosage of Acepromazine.
According to the NRC, horses at maintenance require 15 mg per kg of bodyweight of magnesium per day. For a 500 kg horse, this is an intake of 7.5 grams per day. Performance horses or lactating mares require more per day.
Low magnesium levels or deficiency can contribute to nervousness, depression, abnormal behaviour, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, respiratory problems, growth failure and more.
Magnesium is an important part of insulin’s ability to act on cells. Links between magnesium deficiency and insulin resistance have been shown in humans and rodents but remain to be confirmed in horses. Magnesium supplementation may lessen abnormal fat deposits such as cresty neck which could lead to improvements in metabolic health.
Magnesium and calcium work together to enable muscle function. Calcium is involved in muscle contraction in horses whereas magnesium is important for muscle relaxation. Subclinical deficiency of this mineral in horses can affect muscle relaxation causing muscle spasms.
Thumps in endurance horses which are spasms of the diaphragm can be addressed with magnesium and calcium to improve recovery. Supplementation with this mineral may also help treat chronic tying-up in horses.
Magnesium oxide is the recommended supplemental source of this mineral for horses with good bioavailability. Compared to Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts), it is safer and less likely to result in diarrhea.
Research shows that it is 70% absorbed from the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. While there are other magnesium sources with higher bioavailability, magnesium oxide provides the best value for supplementing your horse’s diet.
You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.
Consult with a nutritionist or veterinarian prior to use.
Top dress once daily on feed or ration.
Body Weight | Scoops | Dose |
< 200 kg | ½ scoop | 15 g |
200 – 500 kg | 1 scoop | 29 g |
> 500 kg | 1 ½ scoops | 44 g |
1 scoop = 29.6 cc = 29 grams |
A scale should be used with all individual ingredients to ensure accurate dosing
For equine use only. Not for use in horses intended for food.
Keep out of reach of children.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Per gram serving |
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Nutrient | Concentration | Per 29 G | ||
Magnesium | 56% | 16 | g |
Ingredients: Magnesium Oxide 56%
Recommended Use: Supports muscle and nervous system function.
Register & manufactured by: Mad Barn Inc., Petersburg, ON, Canada.
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Customer Questions About This Product
- Is this suitable for human consumption? I am having difficulty obtaining my usual brand.
- Q Is this suitable for human consumption? I am having difficulty obtaining my usual brand.Asked by June 7, 2023 1:45 amonAnswered by the admin Thanks for your question! Although we market our products for equine use, we are not able to recommend them for human consumption as Health Canada has specific regulatory/product licensing requirements for selling products as human nutraceuticals. I see that the Magnesium is only 56%, what is the remaining ingredients?
- Q I see that the Magnesium is only 56%, what is the remaining ingredients?Asked by June 6, 2022 12:57 pmonAnswered by the admin It is pure magnesium oxide. The 56% refers to how much elemental magnesium (mg) is provided. For example, 56% of a 29-gram serving is 16 grams of elemental magnesium. I was interested in adding this to my 4 year olds feed, she currently gets omneity, electrolytes, w-3 and three amigos all by you guys, is it safe to give her this and would it calm her down added on to her other supplements ? Thank you:)
- Q I was interested in adding this to my 4 year olds feed, she currently gets omneity, electrolytes,...... Read moreAsked by May 3, 2022 5:25 amonAnswered by the admin It is safe to give in combination with those. However, her magnesium requirement is likely being met with the combination of omneity and forages. It's not clear that magnesium supplementation significantly above requirement supports calming. If you'd like to add it, add 15 grams (1/2 scoop) of magnesium oxide in addition to Omneity. I am thinking if starting Visceral with a nervous older mare. Can I still feed supplemental Magnesium for its calming effect?
- Q I am thinking if starting Visceral with a nervous older mare. Can I still feed supplemental Magne...... Read moreAsked by October 14, 2021 5:33 pmonAnswered by the admin Hi Shannon, Visceral+ contains 5,600 mg of elemental magnesium and in most cases it is not necessary to feed additional magnesium to produce a calming effect. If you are looking for help with supporting calming in your mare, I would recommend consulting with our nutritionists by filling out our diet analysis form: https://madbarn.ca/analyze-diet/ How does the palatability of magnesium oxide compare to magnesium malate?
- Q How does the palatability of magnesium oxide compare to magnesium malate?Asked by April 8, 2021 9:07 pmonAnswered by the admin Magnesium oxide is more concentrated than magnesium malate so you need a much smaller serving size to provide the same amount of magnesium. This can help with palatability as you will not need to feed as much. Iam going to be giving my horse amino trace+
But I was also thinking of your magnesium supplement for calmness, can I use these together or does amino already have enough magnesium?
- Q Iam going to be giving my horse amino trace+ But I was also thinking of your magnesium supplemen...... Read moreAsked by March 11, 2021 6:08 pmonAnswered by the admin Hey Samira, AminoTrace+ already has enhanced magnesium levels to support metabolic health. You likely would not see an added benefit from feeding more magnesium on top of this for calmness. How long is the bag good for once it is opened? Just trying to decide what size to buy.
- Q How long is the bag good for once it is opened? Just trying to decide what size to buy.Asked by February 25, 2021 6:22 pmonAnswered by the admin Hi Allison, The shelf-life for our magnesium oxide is 12 months from when it is opened. Would a 1300 lbs horse would need 2 scoops per day??
- Q Would a 1300 lbs horse would need 2 scoops per day??Asked by December 28, 2020 8:11 pmonA
Hi Tonia - this depends on their current diet and magnesium levels. A 1300lb horse at maintenance would require 11.6g total of magnesium per day. To ensure your horse is receiving enough magnesium, you may submit a diet evaluation request, and one of our nutrition consultants can look over your horse's diet: https://madbarn.com/analyze-diet/
Does this contain pure magnesium? - Q Does this contain pure magnesium?Asked by May 31, 2020 8:42 pmonAnswered by the admin This product is pure Magnesium Oxide. It has a magnesium concentration of 56%, and does not contain any fillers. If you were to supplement 10 grams, you would be supplying ~ 5.6 grams of elemental magnesium. The feeding rate of the Magnesium Oxide varies with the composition of your horse's current diet and what you are trying to accomplish. Is your magnesium oxide supplement a powder?
- Q Is your magnesium oxide supplement a powder?Asked by May 31, 2020 8:42 pmonAnswered by the admin Yes, it is a bulk powder. What dosage of Magnesium should I feed?
- Q What dosage of Magnesium should I feed?Asked by May 31, 2020 8:41 pmonAnswered by the admin The dosage of the Magnesium Oxide varies with the composition of your horse's current diet and what you are trying to accomplish. We can help you with an analysis of your horse's diet if you are interested. Generally, if the diet is balanced with a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement, there should be no need to supplement additional magnesium. Some health conditions warrant higher than the recommended levels, though, so that is why we have it available. I am interested in Magnesium, but also interested in your Omneity mineral and vitamin as it has a broader profile of ingredients. If I feed Omneity I gather that I don't need to feed additional magnesium. Is that correct?
- Q I am interested in Magnesium, but also interested in your Omneity mineral and vitamin as it has a...... Read moreAsked by May 31, 2020 8:41 pmonAnswered by the admin Omneity will certainly cover all of the key trace minerals and vitamins needed for optimal health that can't be obtained from hay alone. You're right that you wouldn't need to feed additional magnesium, because it already contains high levels. The thing about magnesium is, it can help with certain issues (muscle stiffness, excitability etc.), but that's usually only if it is low in the diet to begin with. How long will one kilogram of magnesium last for my horse?
- Q How long will one kilogram of magnesium last for my horse?Asked by May 30, 2020 9:17 pmonAnswered by the admin It depends on your feeding rate. For a 500 kg horse, a typical feeding rate is 10 grams per day. At that rate, 1 kg will last 100 days. Can I buy this ingredient at retail stores that carry Mad Barn products?
- Q Can I buy this ingredient at retail stores that carry Mad Barn products?Asked by May 30, 2020 9:15 pmonAnswered by the admin We do not currently have plans to make our single ingredient supplements available as retail products in brick and mortar stores. Our ingredients are available online and we provide free shipping on orders over $40. I am interested in the magnesium supplement. Do you have stores that carry it or is it online only?
- Q I am interested in the magnesium supplement. Do you have stores that carry it or is it online only?Asked by May 30, 2020 9:12 pmonAnswered by the admin Our Magnesium Oxide is only available online. We provide free shipping on all orders over $40. How do I feed the magnesium to my horse? Does it come in a block? Do I mix it in water or in their feed?
- Q How do I feed the magnesium to my horse? Does it come in a block? Do I mix it in water or in thei...... Read moreAsked by May 30, 2020 9:12 pmonAnswered by the admin Our magnesium is a bulk powder and intended to be mixed in with your horse's feed or top dressed. If I sign up for a subscription to Magnesium, how do I manage it? Can I adjust the dates or cancel at any time?
- Q If I sign up for a subscription to Magnesium, how do I manage it? Can I adjust the dates or cance...... Read moreAsked by May 30, 2020 9:12 pmonAnswered by the admin Our subscriptions are designed to be very flexible. You can cancel at any time, pause or skip a shipment if you don't need it that month, or change the size of your order at any time. If you'd like to change the dates of your subscription to a custom duration, just let us know in the order notes and we can do that for you on our end. How much magnesium oxide should I feed per day?
- Q How much magnesium oxide should I feed per day?Asked by May 30, 2020 9:11 pmonAnswered by the admin The typical amount to feed per day is 10 grams and the concentration is 56% magnesium, so 10 grams would supply 5.6 grams of actual magnesium. Can I give my horse magnesium if he is already getting Omneity?
- Q Can I give my horse magnesium if he is already getting Omneity?Asked by May 30, 2020 9:11 pmonAnswered by the admin Omneity already contains an optimal amount of magnesium. You wouldn't need to supplement with magnesium if your horse gets Omneity, unless his work level gets up into the heavier level. Is your Mag/oxide pharmaceutical grade? ie: no filler?
- Q Is your Mag/oxide pharmaceutical grade? ie: no filler?Asked by May 27, 2020 9:57 pmonAnswered by the admin Our magnesium oxide is a pure ingredient that does not contain any filler. Hello, I feed omneity premix, to my both mares. I had switched over from amino trace as they just weren't eating it. How much of this magnesium could I add to omneity to bring the magnesium level up to around that of amino trace? I want her to have increased magnesium as she as a tendency to get fat pockets- will that throw the calcium or phosphorous out of balance? I know a hay test would be ideal, but I am hoping that I can do that on this seasons supply
- Q Hello, I feed omneity premix, to my both mares. I had switched over from amino trace as they just...... Read moreAsked by May 25, 2020 1:16 pmonAnswered by the admin
Add another 10 grams of magnesium oxide. This will provide the equivalent amount of magnesium that was coming from AminoTrace+. It should be fine fed at that level, but an hay analysis is the only way to be sure.
What is the dosage of your product if the minimum requirements is 10 grms. does it come with a 10 grm scoop for easy feeding? How long does your small container last in terms of using 10grms? I understand that Magnesium has a varied amounts in its makeup of commercial products ie. 50% magnesium and 50%other minerals per scoop. what is your ratio>? - Q What is the dosage of your product if the minimum requirements is 10 grms. does it come with a 10...... Read moreAsked by May 20, 2020 9:12 amonAnswered by the admin The concentration of our product is 56% elemental magnesium. So if you were feeding 10 grams of magnesium oxide, this would amount to 5.6 grams of actual magnesium. We provide a 9 cc scoop which is approximately 9 grams. However, to ensure accuracy with dosing, we strongly advise all customers to use a scale to measure the exact amount to feed. If you were to feed 10 grams per day, the 1 kg bag would last 100 days.