22/04/2023
Intressant
The role of Selenium in hoof health.
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Selenium is a trace mineral that plays an important role in the overall health of horses, including the health of their hooves. Selenium is involved in the production of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which helps to protect cells from oxidative damage. Selenium also plays a role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, which are important for maintaining healthy hooves.
A deficiency in selenium can lead to a number of health problems in horses, including poor hoof quality. Horses that are deficient in selenium may have brittle, cracked hooves that are slow to grow and prone to infection. Horses may also have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight and may be more susceptible to infections and disease.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that horses receive the appropriate amount of selenium in their diet. The recommended daily intake of selenium for horses is between 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg of feed.
Selenium deficiency
Selenium deficiency in horses can occur in areas where there is low selenium content in the soil. In these areas, feed and forage grown on the soil may not contain sufficient amounts of selenium, leading to a deficiency in the horse's diet. This is particularly true in regions with high rainfall, as selenium is not well retained in wet soils.
In addition, some feeds and forages are naturally low in selenium, making it difficult for horses to obtain sufficient amounts of the mineral from their diet alone. For example, hay grown in selenium-deficient areas may not provide enough selenium to meet the horse's needs.
Other factors that can contribute to selenium deficiency in horses include poor absorption of the mineral from the gut, which can occur in horses with digestive disorders, and excessive sweating during heavy exercise or hot weather, which can lead to the loss of selenium through sweat.
Selenium deficiency can lead to a number of health problems in horses, including poor hoof quality, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of infection and disease. It is important for horse owners to work with their veterinarian to ensure that their horses receive appropriate levels of selenium in their diet, either through feed or supplements, to maintain overall health and wellbeing.
Selenium toxicity
Selenium toxicity can cause a range of health problems in horses, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. In the hooves, selenium toxicity can lead cracking and sloughing of the hoof wall, and separation of the hoof from the underlying sensitive tissues.
Selenium toxicity can occur when horses consume more than 5-20 mg of selenium per day, depending on their weight and overall health. Horses that are receiving excessive amounts of selenium in their diet may show signs of toxicity within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the overdose.
Symptoms of selenium toxicity in horses may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Stiffness or lameness
- Depression or lethargy
- Hair loss or changes in coat color
- Cracking or sloughing of the hoof wall
- Separation of the hoof wall
If you suspect that your horse may be suffering from selenium toxicity, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment may involve limiting selenium intake, providing and addressing any underlying health problems that may have contributed to the toxicity.