At Performance Equine Nutrition, we often see horses that seem to “change personalities” overnight. One of the most common catalysts for this shift isn’t a lack of training—it’s the physiological toll of a major life change.
The Hidden Impact of Relocation: Christy’s Story
(Note: Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.)
The “Trusty Barn Favorite”
Recently, we consulted with Christy, who purchased a spectacular four-year-old reining mare. This mare was the definition of an exceptional individual: she had earnings in the show pen, was a barn favorite, and her 40-minute sales video featured a significant amount of bridleless work. Based on her talent and a clean vet check, Christy had her shipped from New Mexico to Wisconsin.
The Shift: One Month Later
After just thirty days in her new home, this mare is unrecognizable. Currently:
- She cannot be ridden bridleless.
- She is anxious and “pushy” in the bridle.
- In the round pen, she has begun cross-firing (losing her lead rhythm).
- She is grumpy about being brushed and has become spooky and unpredictable.
- During lead departures, she “pops up” because her back is too tight to round comfortably.
Why Did This Happen?
This is a classic example of how relocation can tip a horse into an acute magnesium deficiency. While some horses adapt easily, others are deeply affected by the combination of:
- A Long-Distance Haul: Trailering is a high-stress event that depletes magnesium stores rapidly.
- Environmental Change: Moving from New Mexico to Wisconsin involves different climates, water mineral content, and forage profiles.
- The Stress Cycle: Stress causes the body to dump magnesium, and low magnesium makes the horse more reactive to stress. This creates a “loop” of anxiety and physical tension.
The “popping up” in transitions and the irritability during grooming are physiological signals. Her muscles are likely experiencing “burn” and a lack of flexibility, making it physically impossible for her to perform the athletic maneuvers she once did with ease.
The Road Back to “Normal”
Christy is an attentive owner who recognized that this wasn’t just “bad behavior”—it was a cry for help. We have started this mare on a targeted loading dose of MagRestore to replenish her depleted stores and break the cycle of tension.
We believe that once her magnesium status is restored, the “bridleless” mare Christy fell in love with will return. We will be checking in with Christy in a few weeks to monitor her progress and share the results of her supplementation journey.
Is your new horse struggling to settle in? It might not be a training issue—it could be a nutritional gap. Take our Magnesium Deficiency Questionnaire.