Re: Selenium

[flemmerl@rcbhsc.wvu.edu (Flemmer, Linda)]

> From: Heidi
>
>  My horse has never tied up (knock on wood) but Classy tied up for the 3rd time in 1 1/2 years the other day.

> I think we should go ahead and supplement Se. for 3 mos. and then test to see where the levels fall. Then adjust the Se. accordingly. Also give plenty of electolytes prior to and after a ride in the heat, as well as try to get him to take a little salt. What do you think? Any other suggestions?

I'd like to get a selenium level before you start to supplement so that your follow up labs have a baseline for comparison.  (Make sure you really need it & be certain that it is helping.)  It might also be interesting to get electrolytes drawn at a ride for your own vet to run...  might be enlightening!  It would certainly help you to manage him better, whether that was the cause of the tie ups or not.

Do you change your management of the horse the days leading up to the ride?  Change in amount of exercise, change in feed or grazing?  This could potentially contribute to your problem too.

I've seen a lot of heavily muscled horses that didn't tie up.  I'd be interested in whether that was a factor.  I suspect that it isn't, but who am I to say?

Linda Flemmer