Comments on: Selenium for Horses http://americashorsedaily.com/selenium-for-horses/ The Complete Source for All Things Horse Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:46:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bryan McLeod http://americashorsedaily.com/selenium-for-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-27832 Bryan McLeod Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:34:37 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=9146#comment-27832 Hi Melvin, white lines, as you describe, are also seen when grazing high protein pasture, eg fresh spring/autumn pasture which can reach 35% protein. One problem is that the a percentage of the protein is toxic or junk protein, the end result in severe cases is the hoof drops off. Fresh green pasture will contain from 4 to 5.5% nitrogen, protein is nitrogen x 6.25. High N results in a blood ammonia - increased histamines - restriction of arteries around the heart - blood pooling in the feet - inflamed sore feet - foundering. Other issues are - weight loss - bad temperament - abortion - foals weak or dead at birth. Always balance off excess protein. Bryan L McLeod Hi Melvin, white lines, as you describe, are also seen when grazing high protein pasture, eg fresh spring/autumn pasture which can reach 35% protein. One problem is that the a percentage of the protein is toxic or junk protein, the end result in severe cases is the hoof drops off.
Fresh green pasture will contain from 4 to 5.5% nitrogen, protein is nitrogen x 6.25. High N results in a blood ammonia – increased histamines – restriction of arteries around the heart – blood pooling in the feet – inflamed sore feet – foundering. Other issues are – weight loss – bad temperament – abortion – foals weak or dead at birth. Always balance off excess protein.

Bryan L McLeod

]]> By: Melvin Schultz http://americashorsedaily.com/selenium-for-horses/comment-page-1/#comment-4054 Melvin Schultz Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:29:53 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=9146#comment-4054 We are among the "unfortunate" who have seen the terrible results of selenium poisoning. Several years ago we noticed a thin band of white forming just above the hoof on one of our mares. A short time later the same thing began to show up on two other mares. Soon the horses couldn't walk and were in terrible pain. After many tests (and dollars) it was diagnosed. We had to have one of the mares put down when she lost all four hoofs. The two others were on medication and confined to small stalls to prevent moving about for several months. We were told the horses had developed an addicition for a type of milkweed (loco weed) found in one of our pastures. THe weed was "loaded" with selenium. Needless to say we get very jumpy when the weed is spotted or someone mentions selenium. We are among the “unfortunate” who have seen the terrible results of selenium poisoning. Several years ago we noticed a thin band of white forming just above the hoof on one of our mares. A short time later the same thing began to show up on two other mares. Soon the horses couldn’t walk and were in terrible pain. After many tests (and dollars) it was diagnosed. We had to have one of the mares put down when she lost all four hoofs. The two others were on medication and confined to small stalls to prevent moving about for several months. We were told the horses had developed an addicition for a type of milkweed (loco weed) found in one of our pastures. THe weed was “loaded” with selenium. Needless to say we get very jumpy when the weed is spotted or someone mentions selenium.

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