FixCalm is a magnesium proteinate and thiamine (Vit B1) supplement for animals.
Benefits of FixCalm
Thiamine is essential for neural cell metabolism and neurotransmitter production. It is implicated in controlling inflammation and in antioxidation and assists in wound healing and promoting calm behaviour.
Magnesium is involved in various essential processes including nerve function, as an enzyme activator in blood and muscle contraction. Magnesium is often described as the ‘chill mineral’ as it prevents the stress hormone cortisol from affecting the brain. It can support muscle function and improve recovery rates after hard work.
Text to support use of chelated magnesium for Agrifert NZ
October 2021
Prepared by LWT Animal Nutrition
Minerals are essential for the health, growth and welfare of horses. Magnesium (Mg) is involved in various essential processes, including bone formation (in combination with calcium and phosphorus), nerve function, as enzyme activators, in blood and to allow muscle contraction. It is sometimes described as the ‘chill mineral’ as it prevents the stress hormone cortisol from affecting the brain. It can support muscle function and improve recovery rates after hard work. A typical horse stores 60% of its magnesium in the skeleton and 30% in muscle.
A 500 kg horse (typically a 15.2 h thoroughbred) requires 7.5 g of Mg per day at rest, and up to 15 g per day when in hard work. Deficiencies are typically manifested as nervous behaviour, muscle tremors, and even collapse and death. However, horses are better at conserving Mg reserves better than ruminants, by reducing excretion via the kidneys. Pregnant mares, foals and young horses have a higher requirement for magnesium than adult horses.
Mg absorption from the diet depends on its form, and, for inorganic forms, there is competition for uptake from the gut with other minerals carrying the same valency (electrical charge). For example, where the horse may be consuming high levels of inorganic copper from ‘blue blocks’ in water troughs, this can limit the amount of other inorganic minerals absorbed due to direct competition for passive transfer across the gut wall. Sulphate forms cause a ‘soporific’ (drowsy) effect in mammals, which can mask underlying pain issues, and, hence, pose a welfare risk. Natural sources of minerals, typically bound to peptides, are taken up in a different manner from the gut, in the same way as small protein units. Research has shown these to be preferentially absorbed from the gut and stored in tissues, for release during times of higher need. As a result, they are needed in smaller amounts compared to inorganic forms.