Tag Archives: Selenium

Optimizing the Immune System

Posted on February 8, 2020 by

The horse’s immune system is always busy. Even when the horse is healthy it is performing its background functions of removing dead or damaged cells, guarding all the mucus membranes that are portals into the body from the outside world … Continue reading →

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Vitamin E and Selenium Are Powerful Protectors

Posted on July 1, 2018 by

Vitamin E and selenium are nutrients familiar to most horsepeople.  They are among the most common deficiencies in unsupplemented animals – and also the only two where deficiency diseases are still routinely seen.  Suboptimal levels also impact health and performance … Continue reading →

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Minerals and the Insulin Resistant Horse

Posted on September 11, 2017 by

Minerals have direct and indirect involvement in virtually every action in the body, and have important effects on Insulin Resistance (IR) or its consequences. IR is different in the horse than in the human, but the same basic principals apply.  … Continue reading →

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The Foundation for Strong Immunity

Posted on April 3, 2017 by

There are many herbs, plant or bacterial extracts and probiotics that can stimulate the immune system but they won’t help if the horse’s body does not have the basic raw material it needs to respond. That comes from the diet. … Continue reading →

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Spring Grass Laminitis

Posted on March 20, 2017 by

Spring is the peak time for grass-associated laminitis in most parts of the world. You can effectively treat or, better yet, prevent it but only if you understand the mechanism. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Scott A fat pony is the … Continue reading →

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Three Supplements Every Horse Needs

Posted on January 23, 2017 by

A universal requirement for horses around the world is salt, primarily for sodium but chloride can also be deficient.  The diet of all horses is deficient.  Wait.  If that’s true, how All equine feedstuffs are deficient in sodium and the … Continue reading →

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Basic Muscle Nutrition

Posted on December 5, 2016 by

Well developed muscles are much more than cosmetic. Efficient, strong muscular function allows smooth movement, athletic balance, speed and endurance.   L-lysine, a common amino acid deficiency limiting muscle development About 70% of a muscle’s volume is water but water … Continue reading →

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Muscle Support for the Active Horse

Posted on June 22, 2016 by

Horses are superb athletes but not immune to muscle problems.  Muscle issues affect the whole body and can escape detection as a performance problem.  Signs to look for include: no/low enthusiasm for work sweating in excess of exercise level or … Continue reading →

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Selenium Paranoia

Posted on September 17, 2015 by

It’s never bad to be aware of things that may be toxic to your horse, but precautions can be carried too far if you don’t know the details.  Yes, selenium is a potentially toxic mineral but deficiency is much more … Continue reading →

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The Thyroid

Posted on November 12, 2014 by

If you are confused about thyroid function in horses you have a good excuse.  As new information from studies becomes available, recommendations have changed dramatically. Before it was discovered that insulin resistance is the most likely cause of obesity related … Continue reading →

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