MegaMin Bone Defender

Premium Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Vitamin D Top-Up Supplement to Promote Strong Healthy Bones

Formulated with broad spectrum macro and trace minerals plus additional calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, MegaMin Bone Defender helps horses maintain bone strength and stay healthy and sound while grazing high-oxalate subtropical pastures. Left unsupplemented on such pastures, horses are at risk of developing severe bone demineralisation or bighead disease.

A scientifically balanced calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D supplement to help promote strong healthy bones.

Incorporates multiple sources of calcium, including chelated calcium.

Assists in maintaining/balancing the calcium to oxalate ratio for horses grazing subtropical pastures (setaria, buffel, kikuyu, couch etc.) where an imbalance in the calcium to oxalate ratio can lead to bighead disease.

Feeding Guide

The below feeding rates are for horses on pasture who are not receiving any significant amounts (less than 1 kg/day) of supplementary hay or hard feed.

MegaMin Bone Defender should be fed with the recommended dose of MegaMin Equine Enhancer or as part of a balanced diet.

Typical Pastures

		Average Body Weight
	*400kg*	*500kg*	*600kg*
Weanlings, Yearlings and 2YOs	140	180	220
Moderate Work	160	200	240
Heavy Work	180	220	260
Pregnant Mares	140	180	220
Lactating Mares	190	230	270
Aged Horses	140	180	220

Grazing Setaria

If your Setaria is the Kazungula variety please contact us for advice and dosage rates.

		Average Body Weight
	*400kg*	*500kg*	*600kg*
Weanlings, Yearlings and 2YOs	420	540	660
Moderate Work	480	600	720
Heavy Work	540	660	780
Pregnant Mares	420	540	660
Lactating Mares	570	690	810
Aged Horses	420	540	660

Feed Reduction Guide

For horses given supplementary hay or hard feed, reduce MegaMin Bone Defender by the following amounts.

	Amounts to reduce MegaMin Bone Defender by
For every 1kg of Lucerne Hay	70g/day
For every 1kg of Grass Hay (Low Oxalate)	25g/day
For every 1kg of Complete Feed*	50g/day

*Fortified with 8.5g/kg of calcium at minimum.

1x heaped scoop (in bucket) = approx 100g of MegaMin Bone Defender.

Directions: Mix well into feed and dampen. Ensure an adequate supply of fresh, clean drinking water and free choice plain salt are available at all times. Slowly introduce into horseís diet over 7-10 days.

Dosage/Administration: 1 heaped scoop (in bucket) = approx 100g of MegaMin Bone Defender

Available In

Available in 15kg Buckets and 20kg Bags.

Download Product Information Sheet

Features and Benefits

Balanced Minerals
A well balanced diet is essential to maintain bone health and overall vitality. MegaMin Bone Defender is formulated by a leading Australian Equine Nutritionist and provides appropriate proportions of calcium (including chelated calcium), phosphorus and magnesium with Vitamin D to help ensure optimum uptake from the digestive system.

Quality
MegaMin Bone Defender is manufactured exclusively in our Australian production facility to strict quality standards using top quality ingredients because AgSolutions believes that your horses deserve the best.

Complementary
MegaMin Bone Defender and MegaMin Equine Enhancer work synergistically to help protect against bone demineralization and trace mineral deficiencies to promote overall health and vitality.

Strong Bones
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are essential minerals for protecting and supporting bone health. MegaMin Bone Defender provides important minerals that are commonly deficient or unavailable to horses in subtropical pastures.

Natural Minerals
MegaMin Equine supplements contain AgSolutions’ unique blend of natural broad spectrum minerals that include a host of trace minerals such as chromium, boron and silicon that are absent from many other supplements.

Customer Testimonials

Living in a coastal environment, l am well aware of the dangers of subtropical pastures and how easily they can cause ‘Bighead’. The symptoms can be quite mild right through to severe. By feeding MegaMin Bone Defender I know this potential problem is taken care of.

– Brett Cantle, Gympie QLD

I’m really happy with the MegaMin Equine Enhancer and Bone Defender as the results speak for themselves – the swelling on his face has almost gone completely, he has grown, his coat is in much better condition and I can touch his face again!

– Karen Donaldson, Kempsey NSW

Pasture Management for Horses

Greater emphasis on pasture feeding of horses should be made in Australia, as it offers the advantage of considerable reduction in feeding costs in combination with a return to the natural grazing conditions to which horses are well adapted. Grazing horses attain benefits from both the nutritional value of the pasture and from the exercise derived from actively grazing.

Download Guide

Equine Nutrition Blogs

Whether you’re new to the equine world or an experienced equestrian, there is always something new to learn about how to feed and care for your horses. Equine nutrition blogs can be an excellent resource for staying up-to-date on the latest research, trends, and best practices in equine nutrition.

In this area, we explore some of the most popular equine nutrition topics, delve into some of the essential principles of equine nutrition and provide tips for creating a balanced and healthy diet for your horses.

View Blogs

Equine Nutrition & Training Centre

Designed for equine enthusiasts, such as yourself, our Equine Nutrition and Training Centre connects you with leading experts in the field, offering practical and insightful information you never knew you needed – until now.

As a member of our equine community, you’ll gain access to our comprehensive collection of equine nutrition presentations, videos, workshops, clinics, special events, and exclusive offers!

What is Bighead?

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSH) is most commonly known as “Bighead” and develops as a result of a calcium imbalance within the horse’s diet. During periods of calcium shortage, horses will mobilise calcium and phosphorus from their bones to keep blood calcium levels normal.

When this state of calcium deficiency occurs for a period of time, horses will mobilise so much calcium and phosphorus that their bones become fibrous and weak. It is essential that a horse’s diet is balanced and the calcium to phosphorus ratio must be kept above one part calcium to one part phosphorus.

What are some signs of Bighead?

– Shifting lameness, sore bones and joints
– Ligament and tendon injuries
– Noisy breathing and nasal discharge
– Ill-thrift and harsh coat
– Enlarged/swollen facial bones (ridge over nasal bone)
– Early tiring and a low tolerance for work
– Loose and shifting teeth and difficulty chewing

Bone Defender