MAH FAQs

Is the MAH Calmer safe to give along side other supplements or medication?

Yes, the calmer is entirely safe and will not interact with any other medication your horse is receiving.

My horse is a fussy feeder, what can I do?
Because MAH is an odourless liquid that mixes well with feed, very few horses bother about it. If your horse is normally fussy we recommend that you start with a small amount and build up to the full loading dose to prevent any sudden change.

If your horse will not eat MAH you can use an oral syringe to squirt it directly into their mouth. Some people need to do this for the loading dose but find the daily amount is small enough to go in feed. Otherwise you can mix it with something palatable, either in a scoop (with some squashed apples for example), or try mixing it with some natural apple juice, minty water, fruit squash or molasses before adding to feed.

What is MAH?
MAH (pronounced M.A.H.) is a uniquely developed form of magnesium, magnesium aspartate hydrochloride. This compound has been shown to provide far higher levels of absorption than any other magnesium compound which is the key to its effectiveness.

What are the MAH Concentrated Syringes?
These are a concentrated form of the liquid which makes them more effective and faster to absorb. Ideal for use in competition or for times of extra stress. They can be used independently or in conjunction with the liquid.

I have given my horse other calmers containing magnesium but have not seen an improvement, does that mean that this will not work either?
Not at all, we have many customers that now swear by Nupafeed MAH who originally came to us with this question! MAH has been especially developed to maximise the absorption of magnesium into body tissue and delivers significantly more magnesium into the tissue than other magnesium compounds. The MAH magnesium used is of a pharmaceutical grade, which is far superior to the grade of magnesium used in most other calmers. Nupafeed MAH Calmer is also a liquid which helps to improve absorption.

I need my horse responsive and alert, will the MAH calmer compromise performance?
No, the calmer works purely by providing your horse with the magnesium that he needs in order to maintain the correct magnesium/calcium within his body. Having this correct balance prevents a huge range of related problems. It contains no other compounds such as herbs or L-Tryptophan, which act as mild sedatives. Performance should improve as reduced tension allows your horse to listen to what is being asked of him.

How long does MAH Calmer take to work?
This varies greatly with each horse depending on how long they have been having problems, how much work they do, their diet and how stressful they are day to day. Most horses require 5-10 days on the loading dose before a significant improvement is seen.

The syringes can be used alone on the day of competition.

What sizes does MAH Calmer come in and how long do they last?
Nupafeed MAH Calmer is available in three sizes:-
1 litre - this would last the average horse approx 40 days at maintenance level.
3 litre - this would last the average horse approx 4 months
5 litre - this would last approx 6-7 months

The above guides are based on the average daily maintenance levels only, if you use extra liquid prior to competitions this will shorten how long your bottle lasts. Also, please note that your first 1 litre will be used quickly due to the loading dose, for larger horses or very sharp individuals we recommend the 3ltr size.

Does MAH contain Calcium?
No - Calcium hinders magnesium absorption. Magnesium actually improves calcium absorption and allows the body to use calcium more effectively. Increasing the calcium content with magnesium would simply waste the magnesium you are feeding, but increasing magnesium alone will allow your horse to make more effective use of calcium already in its diet.

Calcium is extremely well absorbed and abundant in most equine diets, it is very rare for an adult horse to receive inadequate levels of calcium and the result of this would be skeletal weakness, not temporary behavioural abnormalities.

Increasing the magnesium-calcium ratio in the diet has been proven in humans to have many therapeutic benefits. We see the same results in horses, with behavioural improvements being the most obvious benefit for horse owners.

Can orally supplemented magnesium act as a sedative?
Absolutely not. The horse regulates magnesium through urinary excretion, which means that any excess magnesium is excreted with no additional effect.

Can I give my horse too much MAH Calmer?
No, if you give your horse more than he requires he will simply excrete the excess in his urine.

Are there any circumstances under which I should not give MAH?
Only if your horse has a history of kidney disease because magnesium levels are regulated through urinary excretion. If magnesium supplementation is required for such a horse do not exceed the suggested daily maintenance level and please use veterinary supervision.

Can I test to see whether my horse needs more magnesium?
A blood test may give an indication but it is a very poor measure of actual magnesium status, the key is to achieve adequate levels in the body tissue. Required feeding levels will vary between individuals and stress increases the body’s magnesium requirement - this is why a horse that is showing signs of stress needs more magnesium.