Magnesium Chelate For laminitis, magnesium deficiency, insulin resistance

• Magnesium Chelate
• Application
• Ordering

The purpose of this page is not to explain the use of magnesium; we have created a separate page about magnesium for that purpose.

When we published studies on the link between magnesium deficiency, insulin resistance, and laminitis, we received many inquiries about sourcing suitable magnesium. We searched ourselves and discovered that it wasn't easy to obtain; you could say there was simply nothing suitable available in the Benelux.

Many supplements containing magnesium are offered, but they come with competing minerals (such as calcium) or low-quality ionic bonds (magnesium oxide) that are so poorly absorbed you cannot expect favourable outcomes.

After extensive research, we found a high-quality manufacturer who could provide magnesium chelate of excellent quality.

Magnesium Chelate

The magnesium chelate we offer is an organic form of magnesium; it is a bond between magnesium and an organic substance. The magnesium is incorporated into a ring-shaped amino acid. The advantages of such magnesium chelate are:

Extremely Good Absorption: - The bond between the magnesium atom and the amino acid is very stable, unaffected by the stomach or intestines. Magnesium chelate is absorbed by the body not as a mineral, but as an amino acid, resulting in much better absorption and less interaction with competing minerals.

No Side Effects: - Magnesium chelate is considered an amino acid by the body, and the digestive tract is well-equipped to process amino acids in large quantities. It is chemically stable, does not decompose in the digestive system, and does not react with other substances therein.

Application

Magnesium chelate is intended for horses that have developed a magnesium deficiency, suffer from laminitis and/or insulin resistance. Please read the relevant pages first.

Administering magnesium poses no risks if done wisely. Magnesium is non-toxic, with excess amounts simply excreted by the kidneys. However, prolonged use can lead to osteoporosis from excessive magnesium. Offering magnesium during a "trial period" of several weeks is advisable to see if there are any effects.

Researchers suggest magnesium chelate is so well absorbed that a quarter of the calculated amount suffices. While not scientifically tested, this reduced amount frequently yields good results. Thus, we assume this reduced dosage in the treatment plan below.

Administer according to the steps below:

1. Although magnesium chelate absorbs efficiently without much interference from competing minerals like calcium, avoid supplements high in calcium.
2. Use a calcium-free lick stone. The Paard Natuursteen Mg+ is particularly suitable as it is calcium-free and contains a lot of well-absorbed magnesium. This lick stone significantly supports Magnesium Chelate!
3. Provide 8 grams (small pony) to 30 grams (large horse) of Magnesium Chelate daily. Maintain this for 4 to 6 weeks.
4. Evaluate symptom status. Improvement should be visible. If no improvement occurs, there probably wasn’t a magnesium deficiency, and you can stop the treatment.
5. After improvement, halve the dose and continue for another 6 to 8 weeks. Optionally, give a dietary supplement with good minerals, vitamins, and amino acids simultaneously. Este Balancer is an excellent addition to magnesium chelate.
6. Establish a diet incorporating all minerals in normal proportions and amounts. Understand how the magnesium deficiency occurred. If it wasn't due to high calcium in additional feed but low magnesium in grass and hay, you can continue providing magnesium chelate. Horses with insulin resistance also benefit from a maintenance dose as magnesium sensitises cells to insulin. If your grass/hay is insufficient, and you wish to add more supplements, Este Balancer is a quality addition to magnesium chelate.

Success Formula for Getting Horses to Consume Magnesium Easily:

Choose a product your horse or pony enjoys and add a small amount of magnesium chelate. It’s easiest when moistened, but do not heat it. Warm magnesium tastes odd!

If your horse likes grass pellets, this method is both successful and healthy:

Soak a handful of grass pellets in water until they disintegrate (note: it happens quickly in warm water but ensure it's completely cooled before adding magnesium as it tastes bad otherwise!). Use just enough water so the pellets fall apart but feel dry afterward unless your horse enjoys slobbering ;-) Let your horse try these moist pellets to see if they like them immediately (almost always yes). If not, offer them over multiple days; it may take some getting used to, but all horses should end up eating it (don’t all horses love grass?).

Once your horse enjoys the pellets, mix in the magnesium. For fussy eaters, gradually increase the amount to adapt to the taste. Does your horse find it so-so? Just increase the pellet proportion, so the taste is diluted! The taste is quite neutral (try it) unless heated up, ensuring success if done correctly.

Things go awry if too few pellets are used for picky eaters and (proportionally) too much magnesium. Just use more pellets, and the already neutral taste will be insignificant. Success is virtually assured!

The Pre Alpin wiesencobs from St. Hippolyt are highly suitable, delicious grass pellets, very tasty, fragrant, and healthy.

Packaging

Previously packaged in white buckets, magnesium now comes in resealable pouches for environmental reasons. These pouches are more eco-friendly, weighing only 7 grams compared to the bucket’s 170 grams, 24 times less plastic! They are special food-grade bags ensuring magnesium’s longevity. Prioritising minimal resource usage, we chose the bags for good packaging without requiring extensive raw materials. As fully recyclable paper bags weren’t available, the initial packaging was completely plastic so it could at least be disposed of with plastic waste. A paper exterior with an internal plastic layer looks eco-friendly but is problematic, unsuitable for plastic or paper disposal.

Years later, a new type of bag was introduced! Paper outside, starch inside! Completely plastic-free yet offering essential (moisture) barriers and sealable. These bags can be composted or placed in the organic waste bin. While paper recycling is preferable, it’s commendable they’re entirely plastic-free, not residual waste, but compostable. Making the right choice is tricky, but this bag is the best available for this product.

The 3 kg packaging is cost-effective yet retains shelf life due to its three 1 kg bags, requiring only the bag in use to be open, keeping others sealed from moisture and light.

Concerns about scooping from pouches instead of a bucket? Feedback from customers shows most prefer bags, although a few prefer buckets. Scooping from bags with a short measuring spoon is less convenient but solved easily by using a tablespoon, measuring once. If you prefer a container, you likely have one handy. An empty ice cream tub, perhaps? Dark-stored, empty glass jars work well too.

To Order

Tip: The mineral lick Paard Natuursteen Mg+ supports horses on Magnesium Chelate perfectly, as it’s calcium-free and rich in magnesium.

To preserve the environment, measuring spoons are no longer automatically included: Many customers are repeat buyers who already have a measuring spoon. If it’s your first purchase and you have no 8ml spoon, you can order it for a small additional charge.