SELENIUM DEFICIENCY - How much selenium is in the Missing Link Equine?
Q. - I worry about oversupplementation with selenium. How much of selenium is in the Missing Link Equine Formula?
A. - Selenium is analytically determined to be present at less than 0.02 mg. per 40 gram serving in our supplement, which is a very safe level.
B. - Vitamin E is present at the level of 21 IU in one cup (120 grams).
- The vitamins/minerals that do occur in our products are naturally occurring and are generally present in small amounts.
- For a healthy horse striving to eat a healthy diet, this might be enough.
- However, we often recommend that animals in poor health should have a check-up for vitamin/ mineral deficiency.
- They should be given other vitamins and minerals as recommended by a health professional (veterinarian) familiar with specific conditions (especially if they are predominantly "dry" feeds - grains, hay, etc.).
Selenium deficiency and disease
- If your horse does not have seleniium deficiency, you should contact an equine professional before you start with additional supplementation.
- Vitamin E and selenium (Se) are most often supplemented in combination because research has indicated a strong synergistic effect between these two essential nutritional components.
- Selenium deficiency, generally combined with vitamin E deficiency, is the cause of several degenerative diseases in animals.
- The recommended total daily selenium supplementation is approximately 0.1 mg of selenium per kg of feed intake.
Selenium Toxicity
- Note that some soils may have naturally high selenium content.
- The result is enhanced selenium levels in the grasses and forages produced on those soils.
- Always consult with your local veterinarian prior to using any selenium supplement.
Vitamin E
- Vitamin E requirements also vary depending on the activity level of the horse.
- Vitamin E requirements for a mature leisure horse may run at 250 to 400 IU per day compared to a race horse or breeding horse that will require 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day.
