{"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

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    The Importance of Selenium in a Horse’s Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Selenium is an antioxidant that prevents free radicals from damaging cell walls. When it’s present in sufficient amounts, your horse’s body functions as it should and enables it to deliver its best performance. A horse’s joints and muscles work their best when oxidative stress is kept to a minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many horses are selenium deficient and horse owners may never be aware of this fact.<\/strong> A horse that’s low in this vital antioxidant won’t necessarily show signs of deficiency due to the fact that vitamin E covers low selenium levels. Horses who are fed forage such as alfalfa and graze on green grass will consume adequate amounts of vitamin E and look healthy as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A horse’s metabolic process, just as with any other mammal, engages in an oxidation process that breaks down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into energy, water, and carbon dioxide. Oxidation helps supply the horse’s body with the components it needs to function at its best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, oxidation doesn’t discriminate when it comes to breaking down nutrients into a usable form. Instead, it causes oxidative damage in the form of free radicals and superoxides. These oxidizing agents, now known as peroxides, damage cell membranes among other cell structures. Selenium prevents oxidizing agents from forming or dealing with them after they’re formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Selenium is part of the enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme destroys peroxides and turns them into alcohols. This conversion prevents them from damaging cell membranes that make cells susceptible to further injury and cell death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The lack of discernment of the oxidative process results in the production of peroxides which can damage and kill cells that are vital for muscle function and other growth processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"selenium<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Oxidative Stress and Muscle Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A horse’s muscular system consumes vast amounts of oxygen during exercise or competition. Oxygenation provides the muscles with the power they need to function at their best. However, oxygenation also causes free radicals and peroxides to form the same as the metabolic process. Once again, these agents damage cell walls, which makes it harder for a horse to recover from exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The antioxidant properties of selenium protect muscle cells from becoming damaged by free radicals and make it easier for a horse to recover from exercise. The nutrient also helps the horse maintain its overall quality of life, but it also protects the heart, the most important muscle of them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symptoms of Selenium Toxicity in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The clinical signs of selenium toxicity, also known as alkali disease, can take months to become apparent. A horse that’s foraging on selenium-rich plants will accumulate more selenium than they need over a period of time, and the signs of toxicity may not be readily visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The trace mineral accumulates in the body of the horse because the excretory system can’t keep up with the intake. Over time,\u00a0selenium toxicity in horses\u00a0shows up as signs that include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n