MagOx

[gillmcg]

I've been asked whether I'd like some MagOx brought back from the UK. Someone I know has found a supply for less than 10.00/kg (just checking if that's euros or sterling!) BUT it only comes in 20kg sacks. I only need 3 kilos so that leaves 17 unaccounted for! I'm in the Northern Charente (16420) but prepared to meet up somewhere (how about lunch?) to 'deliver' if feasible.

[marianne]

Any idea of the shelf life of the stuff? I'd happily take 5 kg if it'll last 6 months!
(currently paying 38 euros/kilo!)

MTA - can you confirm this is the 'heavy' variety?

[gillmcg]

Hi Marianne,
It's 2gm per 100 kg bodyweight so I'm assuming it's the 'heavy'. Even if I up my share to 5kg too that still leaves 7kg. Do you think Wendy would be interested - don't know if she still feeds it to her lot. I'll drop her an email in case she doesn't make it onto this part of the board. The person who's buying it says it lasts indefinitely (in appropriate conditions - i.e. clean, dry, not too hot or cold) so she's splitting a bag with someone else and will have over a year's supply for her two. The price is sterling.
Gill

[marianne]

I've emailed a couple others who might be interested - will let you know!

[luckyrider]

Hi there gillmc, I'm interested but live too far from you -- Paris area (though would love to come down to you for lunch!!!). Can you tell me where your friend has sourced this, as have been sending off to the UK for it so far.

Wendy may well be interested... I will tell her to look on here next time we speak!

[gillmcg]

Lunch!!!? You'd have to stay for supper and breakfast too I should imagine! I could pick you up at Limoges station? Just a thought!....

I spoke to Wendy about it but she didn't need it at the time. There's been a long delay as the person who's organising it has had problems and been back to the UK once but no room on the truck. She's hoping to get it before it's really needed for the spring flush - mind you, in this climate that could be in a couple of weeks time!

I'll try and find out where she's getting it from - she's having it shipped to a friend in the UK first.

[luckyrider]

Thanks gillmc! Thanks for the invite too!! Barefoot Basics are posting mine to me, but I am always on the lookout for something available in France. No such luck as yet.

Something to watch out for if bringing it over from the UK with you -- it *does* look a bit suspect, fine white powder and all that. For this reason a trimmer I know does not travel with it... maybe she's being cautious? After all a quick sniff from a trained dog or analysis at the lab should swiftly settle things.

If I ever think of coming down your way, I will look you up for sure.

Hope you are unscathed from the storms btw.

[mrsfields]

I have just come across a website that sells 3-kg tubs of magnesium oxide for 33 euros - does anyone know this site?

horze.fr/product_info.php?products_id=25582&n=M1

[gillmcg]

Never heard of them but have registered and requested a catalogue. I'll ask around to see if anyone I know has used them. How would we ask if the MagOx is 'light' or 'heavy' - don't know the technical terms!

[mrsfields]

hi Gill,

I think it would be "oxyde de magnésium léger" for light, and "oxyde de magnésium lourd" for heavy

what is the difference between the light and heavy? (it's all new to me...)

i was hoping to add magnesium oxide plus a vitamin supplement from my vet (Equinal i think it is) to alpha-a and sugarbeet, with the aim of cutting out the rolled barley/Destrier granules, to make sure they're getting everything they need without completely overheating and going bonkers!

[gillmcg]

The heavy is less powdery so easy to mix without flying everywhere - at least that's my understanding!

Have you thought about a forage balancer like Top Spec or Bailey's Lo-Cal with maybe just a top up of magnesium at high risk (splurge of grass growth!) times? There are Bailey's reps in France and I know WendyIHTS can get the Top Spec....... My TB does well on it in the winter with just luzerne and sugar beet (both from the local agri co-op) plus a splash of linseed oil. Never heard of Equinal, do you know what's in it? Is it just a vitamin supplement or mineral too?

[marianne]

Feb 17, 2009 21:10:34 GMT 1 mrsfields said:

what is the difference between the light and heavy? (it's all new to me...)

As well as being denser, the heavy/lourd version has more Magnesium per dose ... so you don't have to give so much, which is really useful if your horse objects to powders in his feed :-)

I agree with Gill re the TopSpec. Have no idea what Equinal contains, but the Top Spec has a very broad vitamin AND mineral range. I feed Top Spec + Destrier (for bulking up mostly!) and even my poor doer's doing really well, even through this nasty wet and everlasting winter

[mrsfields]

oh i completely got that wrong! the one i'll be using is "Equestro Mega Bases Entretien"...

Equinal was available from a supplier about 2-3 hours away and i just can't juggle the logistics of travelling up there to collect it right now, but "Equestro" was recommended by my vet - i've just ordered a 5-kg tub so will have another look at exactly what is in it when it arrives on Friday - she explained it all to me the other day when i saw her and i had a look at the "contents" but can't for the life of me remember exactly what is in it... it's a vitamin and mineral supplement though and there are different versions for different levels of activity...

thanks so much for the Top Spec/Baileys recommendation, i've just had a look and found some contact details... that does sound good though!

Gamm Vert usually orders in my Alfa-a, unmollassed sugar beet and my Destrier granules for me - i had them on Destrier Winner flake mix for a couple of years (for youngsters up to 3 years), but i find that if i give them the amount that will cover their vitamin requirements it just heats them up too much...

which luzerne do you use? i'd be interested in finding an unmollassed version...

[mrsfields]

Feb 18, 2009 11:29:55 GMT 1 marianne said:

Feb 17, 2009 21:10:34 GMT 1 mrsfields said:

what is the difference between the light and heavy? (it's all new to me...)

As well as being denser, the heavy/lourd version has more Magnesium per dose ... so you don't have to give so much, which is really useful if your horse objects to powders in his feed :-)

I agree with Gill re the TopSpec. Have no idea what Equinal contains, but the Top Spec has a very broad vitamin AND mineral range. I feed Top Spec + Destrier (for bulking up mostly!) and even my poor doer's doing really well, even through this nasty wet and everlasting winter

it's been neverending hasn't it this winter! i am just so sick of this mud!

my boys are doing well too - but i'm a bit concerned about the spring grass as it was so rich last year, so would like to get their feed sorted to avoid any risks...

where do you find your Top Spec Marianne?

my email to Baileys France just bounced back so i guess i should phone...

i will let you know more about the Equestro supplement when it arrives Friday!

[gillmcg]

A friend used to use the Megabase on the advice of her UK vet but on double checking the ingredients it assumes you are feeding a forage AND grain diet so isn't as comprehensive as Top Spec or Lo-Cal. Won't do any harm but won't be as 'complete' as it needs to be to cover all the vits and mins missing when just a forage diet. Mind you, this may just be the formulation she was using and they have others?

I buy my luzerne and sugar beet at the local Charente Co-op. They're roughly 8 euros a 25kg sack. The luzerne is definitely unmollassed and can't imagine they add sugars to the pulpe de betterave. My two do well on it anyway. The sugar beet (they have about a kilo a day split into two feeds) is just a top up of fibre as they are on limited grazing with ad lib hay and the luzerne (about a kilo for the TB and half a kilo for the PBA) is to up the protein levels a smidge as I don't get my hay analysed and they are both pushing 20 - going on 5! .

Have looked at the Destrier products but after doing Ian's IH Feeding and Nutrition seminar decided they don't need oat and wheat feed and other fillers and the Top Spec covers all the bases for vits and mins whilst the rest of their diet is 'forage'. I agree that if everyone fed the manufacturer's recommended daily amounts we'd see even more fat and hyper ponies around than we do already!