{"id":13643,"date":"2022-06-15T17:03:37","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T21:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=13643"},"modified":"2022-06-15T17:03:39","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T21:03:39","slug":"selenium-toxicity-deficiency-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/selenium-toxicity-deficiency-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"Selenium Toxicity vs. Deficiency In Horses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Selenium is a vital nutrient that helps horses maintain their muscular system and deliver their best performance in the show ring. It’s a naturally occurring and essential trace mineral that’s required in very small amounts for optimal muscle performance, lowering oxidative stress, and aiding thyroid and immune functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The line between\u00a0selenium toxicity in horses\u00a0and deficiency is a fine one<\/strong>, with the maximum recommended daily amount consisting of 3mg for horses doing heavy work. Most horses require no more than 3 mg of selenium per day, a small amount in comparison to a horse’s overall size. However, some regions of the U.S. produce forage that’s deficient in selenium and vitamin E, making supplementing selenium a matter of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact that forage is deficient in selenium is not lost on manufacturers of hard feed. Horse food manufacturers include trace amounts of selenium in their products as a matter of course. It’s a good idea to check the levels of selenium in the hard feed you’re providing your horse to make sure they’re receiving the right amount on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all areas of the U.S. are deficient in selenium, though. States including Colorado and New Mexico<\/strong> feature plants that are high in selenium, and horses are likely to graze on them. A horse can obtain sufficient amounts of selenium in their diet from forage, and supplementation in these areas can lead to\u00a0selenium toxicity in horses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, selenium is an essential component of a horse’s diet and aids in its ability to deliver peak performance and muscle power. Before you decide to supplement your horse’s diet, you’ll need to make a few informed decisions on how to go about it. This guide is designed to help you understand the difference between selenium deficiency and toxicity in horses and if it’s right for your horse.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And as always, be sure to check with your veterinarian before starting or stopping any special diets or supplementations for your horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n