Mag-E is safe to use long term without build-up or ill-effects.  This is because Mag-E uses a special organic chelate of magnesium, which actually has a low level of magnesium per dose, but is much more effective.  Other calmers using magnesium oxide, chloride or sulfate at high amounts may cause ‘overload’ of mineral absorption and lead to digestive upset, loose manure or diarrhoea.  Mag-E is especially beneficial to sensitive horses as it doesn’t cause digestive upset, even at high supplementation rates.

Many riders find that once training has progressed and Mag-E has successfully enabled the horse to feel more confident and settled, that supplementation can be reduced to a dose on alternate days or just in the lead up to and during competitions.

There is no need to ‘wash out’ Mag-E or rest from supplementation as long term use will not cause ‘build up’ or lose effectiveness. 

Some horses have a naturally more tense and reactive disposition, which can make training and competition difficult for horse and rider.  If you find your horse is over-reactive or ‘flighty’, even in normal everyday situations, Kohnke’s Own Mag-E can be extremely beneficial as a routine daily supplement for calm and steady behaviour.

Other horses are relaxed at home in familiar surroundings, but become fidgety, stressed or anxious during travelling, at competitions or other busy events.  In these situations, Mag-E may only need to be supplemented for a few days before and during the event to support a focused and calm performance.

Magnesium is regarded as being beneficial for muscles and Mag-E can help sensitive horses which have muscle fatigue or soreness.  However, the magnesium in Mag-E, as well as the synergistic nutrients included in the formulation, are particularly targeted to normalise nerve and muscle function to help ensure calm and focussed behaviour. 

Optimal muscle performance is often complemented by the addition of specialist antioxidant blends, such as Kohnke’s Own E-Se Supplets or Cell-E Premium, which includes a higher level of multiple nutrients for optimum muscle health, strength and stamina, such as organic chelated selenium. 

Mag-E does not swab or contain banned substances and does not contravene the Rules of Racing or FEI Competition.  This product is a nutritional supplement to support the health and well-being of a horse. It does not artificially enhance the performance of racing or competition horses. Rules prohibiting the use of any pre-race supplements within 24 hours of racing should be followed if applicable in the local jurisdiction.

Mag-E is a proven and effective supplement to help calm and relax, however there are many factors which can contribute to a horse being nervous, fidgety or flighty including diet, age, training level, amount of exercise or underlying health issues such as gastric ulcers.

Mag-E is most effective as a tool to help horses who are naturally anxious or those which struggle to cope with new or stressful situations such as travel and busy competition environments. Mag-E is can help to relax a horse during the training process and is also beneficial for horses with issues such as separation anxiety or nerve related conditions, including Stringhalt or headshaking where calm behaviour can avoid injury.

Mag-E will help all horses to remain more focused and steady, but if your horse is naturally anxious or over-reactive, Mag-E is often best combined with a ‘cool’ energy diet.  We suggest using more roughage sources and oil, for example, Kohnke’s Own Energy Gold for slow release, ‘non-fizzy’, fat-based energy.  Reducing amounts of cooked or commercial pelleted feeds, especially containing extruded or micronized grain, is also a good idea. This will reduce sugar & carbohydrate content to avoid overload of highly available energy which can cause ‘fizzy’ behaviour. 

Mag-E has been scientifically formulated using nutrients that work together for optimum nerve and muscle function in all horses.  These ingredients have been specially selected to ensure optimum digestive absorption, making it more effective in comparison to other calming supplements. 

The active ingredients in Mag-E include a special, protein-coated chelate form of magnesium which is highly bioavailable. This means Mag-E actually contains less magnesium than common calmers based on magnesium oxide, chloride or sulfate, but it is highly potent, more targeted and therefore more beneficial.

Mag-E also contains vitamin E for normal nerve function in two forms, a water soluble form and a fat soluble, high potency natural form of RRR-vitamin E. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) provides extra calming help and Mag-E also includes a base of stomach soothing ingredients for tense, easily irritated or distracted horses. 

As Mag-E contains the safer and superior form of organic chelated magnesium, it is successfully supplemented without digestive upset or mineral overload common to other calmers, especially pastes which can cause loose manure. 

Most people notice that their horse is calmer and less over-reactive after 5-7 days of Mag-E supplementation.  However, it is important to give a double dose daily for the first 7-10 days, but once reduced to a single daily scoop, the same calming action should continue.  Very anxious or easily distracted horses may require double doses for longer periods, which is still safe and will not cause ill-effects. 

Supplements in the Kohnke’s Own range have been designed to complement each other without overloading the horse’s system. 

Normally, you would choose one of our comprehensive nutritional supplements, such as Cell-Vital or Kohnke’s Own Cell-Perform, to meet daily nutrient needs, then add in Mag-E and other supplements such as Gastro-Coat, Redi-Flex, TRIM or Energy Gold for extra benefits, depending on the needs of your horse.

If you have questions about the balance and suitability of your horse’s ration, contact our experienced Nutritional Advisors for more information and a FREE ration analysis.   

Mag-E is particularly recommended to help young horses cope with unfamiliar surroundings or new training regimes which require a higher level of focus and concentration.  Using Mag-E can help young horses during the breaking-in and early training process, when new experiences can cause stress and anxiety. 

Many trainers find that Mag-E helps a young horse to have a more relaxed and pleasant experience of early training.  Horses new to competition may also find Mag-E a supportive supplement to encourage steady and calm behaviour in the new, unfamiliar and challenging surroundings. 

Research suggests that horses can have reduced absorption of magnesium and even if it’s mild, a change in behaviour is often the first symptom.

One of the main causes of magnesium deficiency is linked to rapidly growing grass which contains a higher level of potassium. This mineral salt is absorbed through the same digestive site in the small intestine as other minerals including calcium, iron, phosphorus and especially magnesium. Excess amounts of potassium in a horse’s diet can reduce the absorption of magnesium which plays an important role in nerve and muscle function.

Poor uptake of magnesium from feed can further exacerbate the relative deficiency of magnesium in the blood, leading to increased nervousness and muscle tremors. This can occur when horses are fed on low roughage diets, sweat heavily or are stressed by competition or transport where normal feed intake is interrupted.

Separation anxiety can become an issue if horses struggle to cope when removed from their friends and become stressed when their herd-mates are removed from sight.  Some horses can become dependent on having their herd around and separation anxiety can cause many unwanted behaviours, such as calling out, excitable behaviour, pacing, general stress and risk of injury. 

Dr. John Kohnke has worked with many horse owners who have struggled with separation anxiety in their horses.  He recommends that a triple dose of Mag-E (up to 45 grams for a 500 kg horse) can be given for 4-5 days before the planned separation and for 3-4 days afterwards to help your horse to remain calm and cope better. 

Mag-E is also helpful when shifting a horse to a new property as some horses can become excitable or ‘on edge’ with changes to their environment.  

Mag-E is presented as a sticky powder with a palatable vanilla flavour which horses love!  Mag-E is normally given in the daily feed and mixes well (wet or dry) into small supplementary feeds or the main meal each day.  Mag-E can also be mixed with oil (vegetable oil or Energy Gold for extra benefits) and water to easily create a palatable oral paste, which some owners prefer to give during busy competition days.  Compared to expensive ready-made calming pastes, a Mag-E paste is highly economical and with an effective, long lasting action!

Normal nerve function is extremely important when horses are recovering from Pasture Associated Stringhalt (also known as Australian Stringhalt) or have nervous issues, Ryegrass Staggers and Headshaking.  Mag-E is a helpful supplement to keep a horse calm and steady to avoid aggravating symptomatic behaviour. 

Mare behavioural issues or separation anxiety can often be helped with a short course of Mag-E to help calm and focus a troubled horse. 

Why buy an extra paste when you can make it for free!

Mag-E makes an effective calming paste if you need it on busy competition days.  Simply mix 3 scoops of Mag-E with 25 ml of water and 25 ml of oil (a Mag-E scoop gives 25 mls), either vegetable oil or Kohnke’s Own Energy Gold for extra benefits.  Give this paste over the tongue in a 60 ml oral syringe approximately 3-4 hours before the first event of the day.  When given in this way, Mag-E has been shown to be very effective and the calming action can last the whole day.

Spring is the season when grass starts to grow more quickly again after the slow winter months.  That first flush of grass, especially after some rain, can be loaded with simple sugars to fuel quick growth of new pasture.  The high sugar content can increase the energy level of the pasture grazed, giving your horse a ‘sugar hit’!  A higher proportion of the sugars are also available as fructans in spring, which as a hindgut-fermented sugar, contributes to hot, fizzy behaviour.  Some horses experience ‘Spring Fever’ when grasses are lush and growing with excess sugars and potassium.  Mag-E is a recommended supplement during these periods which can then be reduced once the rapid grass growth period has passed.   

Mag-E does not contain tryptophan because we believe that this amino acid can cause variable results in horses, with some horses becoming calmer or even dopey, but others becoming more sensitive or over-reactive.  Mag-E has been developed over many years of field trials in hundreds of horses to perfect a formulation that has now become a highly popular and successful calmer for all types of horses and ponies.

No!  Horse owners around Australia use Mag-E to help calm and relax their horse, whether a pleasure riding pony or an equine athlete competing at the highest levels of equestrian sports and even racing.  Mag-E does not make a horse dull, dopey or unresponsive, but instead reduces muscle tension and settles nerves, enabling the horse to focus on what the rider is asking.