UC Davis

Background

Oral administration of magnesium and boron might have a beneficial effect on headshaking behavior in horses.

Objective

Evaluate the effects of oral magnesium alone or in combination with boron on headshaking behavior in affected horses.

Animals

Twelve geldings (6 healthy controls and 6 affected).

Methods

Prospective randomized controlled dietary trial over 42 days in 12 horses (6 horses diagnosed with trigeminal-mediated headshaking and 6 unaffected healthy controls). All horses received a hay diet and were randomized into 3 treatment groups: pelleted feed combination (PF), pelleted feed combination with magnesium (M), and pelleted feed combination with magnesium-boron (MB) with a week washout of hay only between treatments. Headshaking behavior and biochemical blood variables were assessed at baseline (hay only) and then after each week of supplementation.

Results

All 3 diet interventions increased blood ionized and total magnesium. Groups M and MB further increased Mg²⁺ when compared to PF. Horses receiving treatments had a significant reduction in headshaking behavior, as measured by incidence rate ratio (IRR), when compared to unsupplemented hay diet (44% for PF, IRR, 0.558; CI, 0.44, 0.72; P < .001; 52% for M, IRR, 0.476; CI, 0.37, 0.62; P < .001; and 64% for MB, IRR, 0.358; CI, 0.27, 0.48; P < .001).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Magnesium in combination with boron had the greatest decrease in headshaking. Oral supplementation with magnesium or magnesium in combination with boron should be considered in horses affected with headshaking.