Image credit: John Kohnke Products

Is your horse anxious, nervous or spooky?

There are many causes that can trigger a fear response in flighty, reactive, anxious or wary horses.  Behaviours such as hesitation, loss of impulsion, whirling sideways, shying, baulking, backing up, shaking, snorting and even rearing and bucking can unfortunately be common in horses that struggle to adapt to their situation. Many horses are also very wary and unsettled when away from home, during competitions, travelling or in new environments that can cause nervous or anxious behaviour.  It is during these times that their riders most want focused behaviour and calm performance.  The safety of horse and rider are of concern to all horse owners.

Anxious or reactive behaviour often begins with young horses which lack the experience and confidence to cope with new challenges or situations in training and are more likely to react with a fear response. As a result of not coping with situations, many horses develop an avoidance routine or fear reaction, to new or unfamiliar objects. The underlying causes of such behaviours can be difficult to establish but can include bloodline/breed characteristics, learnt behaviours, environmental influences, ‘heating’ feeds, nervous riders, pain or magnesium deficiency. Low magnesium levels can cause altered nerve function and result in a horse being unable to cope with new surroundings, travelling and competition.

Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is an interesting cause for anxious and nervous behaviour in horses, which was first noticed over 20 years ago.  The cause of magnesium deficiency can be linked to horses which have a genetic disposition to poor magnesium absorption or simply interference in the uptake of magnesium in the small intestine by other competing small molecules, such as potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus.  Many horse owners may notice the tendency of ‘spring fever’ in their horses, which is caused by high levels of potassium in spring grasses blocking the uptake of magnesium. 

Which form of Magnesium is Most Effective?

There are many forms of magnesium available for horses.  However, the type of magnesium is an important consideration to horse owners who wish to purchase the most effective and beneficial form for their horse.  Inorganic forms, which are chemical magnesium compounds, include magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts).  These forms are commonly not completely pure, and may have other chemical contaminants. 

Magnesium oxide has a reduced uptake ability in the horse’s small intestine because it competes with other chemicals to be absorbed into the body.  Magnesium chloride, which has recently been marketed as a calming supplement, has poor absorption and a risk of bowel irritation at the dose rates usually fed.  These reactive forms of chemical magnesium, such as magnesium chloride or sulfate, can result in diarrhoea, which should never be discounted as a serious side effect in horses. 

Many horse owners are becoming aware of the beneficial organic form of magnesium which is a protein-chelate (magnesium proteinate).  This organic magnesium proteinate allows optimum uptake and usage of the magnesium in your horse’s nerve cells quickly and efficiently. These organic forms are also found in plants – the natural source of magnesium for horses.  Organic magnesium is safe to use long term and has a much lower dose rate than chemical magnesium. 
 

Image credit: John Kohnke Products

After 4 years of research and field trials, Dr John Kohnke developed an innovative supplement of organic magnesium proteinate, combined with natural vitamin E and vitamin B1, to help maintain normal nerve and muscle function. After 9 years on the market, Kohnke’s Own Mag-E® (or Harmony™, as it is known in the UK and Europe) is helping many horse owners with their nervous, spooky or stressed horses and is the most popular calming supplement in Australia. Mag-E® and Harmony™ can keep your horse steady and focused through the demands of training and competition.  Mag-E is a natural feed supplement and does not contravene the rules of racing or FEI competition.

Contact the friendly team at John Kohnke products by Free Call to 1800 112 227, email to info@kohnkesown.com, or message their Facebook page to find out more about Kohnke’s Own® Mag-E®.  If you have a nervous or anxious horse, their friendly Nutritional Advisors will be able to provide advice and information specific to your horse’s needs. 

Photo credit: John Kohnke Products