The science bit behind Rockies’ licks

It may seem that giving your horse a lick is something designed to amuse or reward him and, indeed, Rockies’ licks do both of these things. The element that some people fail to appreciate is that a lot of careful planning, tests and trials go in to creating the Rockies range as John Main Technical Manager explains.

“Magnacalm is our latest product and whereas many people see conventional supplements as more ‘scientific’ than licks, I can assure you that a lot of thought, reading and research goes in to our range. Magnacalm is a great example.

The horse’s daily magnesium requirement (grams) is clearly laid out in the USA National Academies “2007 Nutrient Requirement of Horses”. The more work a horse does, the more energy it uses and along with the increased stress involved, this results in a doubled daily magnesium requirement.”

But it’s not just Magnesium requirements that increase with workload: “In parallel with the horse’s daily magnesium requirement doubling as work rate increases, the salt demand also escalates even more rapidly. In fact, NRC data confirms that the horse with an intensive schedule requires four times as much salt as a horse of the same weight that is on a basic maintenance diet.”

With the increase in demand for both Magnesium and salt, Rockies’ Magnacalm could very well hold the answer to any potential issue: a free access mineralised magnesium salt lick like Rockies’ Magnacalm can also help to make up the deficit of these major minerals in the working horse. A voluntary intake of 50 grams of the self-service product supplies 7.5 grams of magnesium that is the difference in requirement between a resting horse and a stressed horse in relatively heavy work! Unlike most other Rockies, Magnacalm isn’t, basically, a high salt product. The major ingredient, magnesium content from a variety of palatable sources, is supported by new ingredient cerelose dextrose for improved product utilisation by the horse or pony.

“Finally, since neither magnesium or salt is stored by horses for future quick release, this means both of these essential minerals do need to be fed on a daily basis”

For more information on the benefits of Rockies, please see www.rockies.co.uk, email info@rockies.co.uk or telephone 01606 595022.