Speak to me on topical/transdermal Magnesium

[Ghazzu]

Even if one posits the higher rate of absorption transdermally, how much magnesium can one put in oil? It would seem to be far less expensive, messy, and time-consuming to give magnesium orally. Absorption of MgO, MgSO4, and MgCO3 is ~70% in foals. The primary site of absorption is thee small intestine, which strikes me as a more efficient tissue for ionic absorption than epidermis.

[BatCoach]

I came by this topic after reading Pam Stone’s DT blog: http://dressagetoday.com/blog/cleared-trot-54040

and after looking at some commercially-made, marketed to horses products such as:

https://shop.performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-oil-p56.aspx

https://goldenmagproducts.com/collections/equine/products/equine-topical-magnesium-oil-16-oz-flip-top

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/dr-milts-magnesium-sulfate-liniment-gel-13632

It seems that these manufacturers are advocates for using a form of magnesium oil either in a pure form, or as an additive to a liniment base to spot-treat muscle soreness. However, there are not many reviews on these products, so I was curious to see if anyone out here in COTH land had any experience; but so far it seems that if I want to spot treat for some minor muscle soreness I should just stick to the sore no more that my horse loves.

[csaper58]

I would not experiment on my horse. They can’t say…“hey, that stings” or “hey, that itches” or “hey that does nothing”.

I would advise you to go for a long jog, or do a tough work out and then mix the Mg oil with some Ben Gay and put it on your muscles. If it makes you feel better, do that a few more times and see if your skin holds up.

I admit I am curious if it works, but not enough to apply it to myself, so I won’t put it on my horse either.

[eternalbeginner]

I bought a spray with liquid magnesium (not oil, more like water) for my pony with allegedly calming effects (better absorbed through the skin etc). The instructions said to be sprayed behind the ears… I don’t know who thought that spraying a liquid behind the ears of a nervous horse was a good idea at all, but they owe me a new halter.

[JB]

@csaper58

Thanks JB.

I will let others spritz their horses inner thighs and continue using my oral Mg supplements.

I do agree that there’s a lot more control and efficiency with using oral Mg supps. We know how much of a given product gives us X grams of elemental Mg with those. We don’t know that for the topical.

Do you know if there is any contraindication to applying Mg oil to the inner thigh of a breeding stallion or nursing mare?

Clearly not, since there aren’t studies on this with horses, but I would never use anything in those areas of actively breeding or nursing stock, I think that’s just a default.

@grayarab

Very interesting on the mag oil. Think i’ll skip the Hero supplement ,requires feeding alfa pellets or the such and fatties don’t need any extra feed. The mag oil though is very interesting deal ,think doing oral would be easier, well maybe depending on situation.

Nutrition & supplements are of great interest to me, as i’m always looking to learn more on both subjects.

It’s Heiro It doesn’t really require feeding alfalfa pellets, and I couldn’t find that info on the website, only:
"Regular Schedule: Mix one scoop (enclosed) once a day in morning feed.

If Foot Sore: Mix one scoop in morning feed and one scoop in evening feed for 10 days in a row, then switch to regular schedule."

But certainly many products strongly “suggest” how to use it, some even saying “feed only with clean oats” LOL Not necessary. You could feed it with just 1c alf pellets or beet pulp or something else they like.

There is negligible magnesium in it, so something else about its contents agrees with some horses. I wonder how many others would benefit from it when fed with significant Mg.

@cayuse

It came from the company that makes MagRestore. They sent me a free sample (which was nice of them) with an order I placed after having discussed how their MagRestore seemed to helped my mare with her issues.
This was about three years ago, so I can’t remember exactly how much I used, but it wasn’t a huge amount, enough to moisten her poll and rub it in.
I like and still use their magnesuim pellets on a different horse for different reasons, but I had no luck with the oil.

Yeah, enough to moisten the poll is nothing in the scheme of a horse. It might have benefits to a specific section of a smaller muscle, in that amount, just extrapolating from the general use for people.

@Ghazzu

Even if one posits the higher rate of absorption transdermally, how much magnesium can one put in oil? It would seem to be far less expensive, messy, and time-consuming to give magnesium orally. Absorption of MgO, MgSO4, and MgCO3 is ~70% in foals. The primary site of absorption is thee small intestine, which strikes me as a more efficient tissue for ionic absorption than epidermis.

Well, magnesium oil is just mag chloride flakes dissolved in water in a 1:1 by volume ratio. And I agree, it’s more efficient, by a lot, to use oral supplements

@eternalbeginner

I bought a spray with liquid magnesium (not oil, more like water) for my pony with allegedly calming effects (better absorbed through the skin etc). The instructions said to be sprayed behind the ears… I don’t know who thought that spraying a liquid behind the ears of a nervous horse was a good idea at all, but they owe me a new halter.

Caveat emptor? LOL The ears would be a good choice, given the thinness of the skin, I just think you have to use a LOT more than anyone is willing to use. Even so, it’s not a drug, it’s not “spray and instantly feel calmer”, it’s not "wait 30 minutes and have a great training session.’ Magnesium is NOT a calming agent, and will do nothing if there’s no deficiency. Even if there is, it takes weeks or even a month or more for levels to build up in the body to the point it can make a happy horse.

[Ghazzu]

@eternalbeginner

I bought a spray with liquid magnesium (not oil, more like water) for my pony with allegedly calming effects (better absorbed through the skin etc). The instructions said to be sprayed behind the ears… I don’t know who thought that spraying a liquid behind the ears of a nervous horse was a good idea at all, but they owe me a new halter.

“Magnesium oil” is actually just MgCl dissolved in water. Because it isn’t oil soluble.