There are also no scientific studies verifying the efficacy of using Epsom salts soaks to treat hoof abscesses. Epsom salts do not seem to have any significant side effects when used for soaking or poulticing of abscesses. References Magnesium constitutes about 0.05% of the body mass. 60% of magnesium in the body is found in the skeleton and about 30% in the muscle. Magnesium is important in the blood and plays a role as an activator of many enzymes and participates in muscle contractions. Within the digestive system, magnesium affects absorption of other key electrolytes including calcium and potassium. Magnesium is also involved in the formation of bone.

Epsom salt Magnesium sulfate is many vets’ choice for dealing with large colon impactions, but should not be used for more than two days at a time, Mueller said. Extended use could lead to enteritis (inflammation of the intestines) and magnesium intoxication (depression). Once a horse has been diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian and farrier, if will require daily care for a while – even several months. A deep bed (12 inches of wood shavings or wheat straw) will encourage the horse to lie down and keep its feet at the same level as its heart. Exercise should be limited at first. Later movement can be encouraged by putting the horse in a dry lot with others. Magnesium helps protect against inflammation and free-radical damage. What shows promise in the field of veterinary medicine is the link to the protective role of magnesium against damage from endotoxins. Horses with colic that results in endotoxin release or laminitis are known to often have low blood magnesium levels, and there is hope that treatment with magnesium during these critical times may decrease the amount of damage that occurs. If you have been on a long, hard ride, or have taken a tumble, Epsom salts can help. Add two cups to your bath and enjoy a long soak; this will soothe a sore, bruised body and help to calm your nerves. Anything greater than one level tablespoon a day per 100kg of your horse’s bodyweight is likely to result in a case of the runs.Magnesium is a vital macromineral, and it is becoming increasingly recommended by veterinarians for various treatments in the horse.

Nutritionist Dr. Melyni Worth, founder of Foxden Equine in Stuarts Ford, Va., studied magnesium while developing her calming supplement Quiessence, a combination of magnesium oxide and magnesium proteinate with chromium picolinate. Magnesium aspartate has been approved for use in many countries for the maintenance of normal magnesium levels in humans. Veterinary MRL: Report on ICHTHYOL-substances” (PDF). European Medicines Agency. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-07-18. Extra-label use of drugs in treating animals is allowable only by licensed veterinarians within the context of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and does not include drug use in treating animals by the layman (except under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian). Both gas and impaction colics lead to mild to moderate colic signs and decreased manure production. Heart rate is generally only mildly elevated (40-60bpm). Horses can become mildly dehydrated. Horses may look bloated with gas colics. Reflux is not generally seen.Table salt is Sodium Chloride sometimes with the addition of Iodine. If you are feeding a high spec Vitamin & Mineral supplement, your horses iodine requirements will be being met. If your supplement does not contain iodine your horse will not be getting enough iodine from iodized salt. Try as they might, veterinarians can’t manage all colic episodes in the field. Some cases are too severe to correct without constant monitoring, treatment, and/or surgery. Mueller said indications for referral include:

It seems that people have been taking their cues from veterinarians,” he says. “Products like ichthammol have long been a go-to preparation for the treatment of abscesses on the bottom of horses’ feet. The advice to clients with a footsore horse is almost always to slather on the ichthammol.”

Does your horse suffer from dandruff? Try an Epsom salts scrub. Mix handfuls of Epsom salts with a small amount of water and gently massage your horse in circular motions, then rinse off. This will leave its body feeling soft and the blood flow will be temporarily increased in the areas massaged. This will flush toxins and bring nutrients with the new blood flow. Flunixin meglumine is probably the most commonly used analgesic for treatment of the acute abdomen,” Mueller said. “It has excellent visceral analgesic (abdominal-pain-relieving) properties with an onset of action of 20 to 30 minutes.”