Mas Ass Acres Liberty remains at Day Star Farm in Oregon which is playing hard on our summer team donk excursions. There are times when plans must be laid aside when the wellbeing of the animal is first and foremost. Thanks to the observant folks at DSF and an animal chiropractor who suggest bringing in another vet to check this guy before she started adjustments. Due to her excellent thinking Liberty now has a diagnosis of what is actually wrong with him.

Selenium Deficiency was the outcome of a blood test. Last spring a vet looked at the boys and said, “Selenium Toxicity, I have seen this before in WY. We believed her and took her word………WRONG! Get the blood tested! It is a simple easy test and will confirm or deny any suspicions.

I spoke with a long time vet in this area and he basically told me I would have to give an EC shot for 30 days in a row to create a SE Toxicity situation. Here is what else he had to say.

The test for SE is actually a test to determine how much Glutathione
Peroxidase Enzyme is being produced. This will reveal how well the body utilities the selenium that is ingested. Glutathione Peroxidase is a selenium-containing enzyme that is a by product of SE.

The blood test does not measure the amount of selenium that is in the body only well how it is being turned into this enzyme that the body can use, so it is measuring the amount of enzyme that is currently present in the bloodstream.

I asked him if SE Deficiency can cause hoof wall deterioration and weight loss he said definitely YES! He also said that an SE Deficiency can cause tying up as I had with my former reining mare. Of course we talked foaling and he also said that a mare that does not clean easily can be SE deficient. Interesting, this same mare would take up to 12 hours to clean after foaling.

I asked how long it could take to get Liberty back to normal.... his reply was, “I just don't know”, suggesting a retest in two months to see how Liberty is doing following the EC shot and the SE/Vita E powder. This vet said there is a possibility if he got too far down he may never get over this. He also said that there are horses, mules and donkeys that never ever receive any form of selenium their entire lives and are just not affected by the lack of SE and then there are the Liberty's and Endeavor's! I am thinking in time we can get these big brutes, our Liberty and DSF’s Dev, back to normal.

He mentioned organic selenium is a better supplement than inorganic. He also wanted to make sure Vita E was present. Biotin supplements also contain selenium... it's all a part of the big picture.

I have found a supplement designed for the Pacific Northwest called Mega Dose by Horse Guard containing 3 milligrams of organic SE per dose which is the recommended dosage. They recommend a 2 oz feeding per 500 lbs. It is also recommended not to mix or add an extra SE supplement to Mega Dose.

The vet and I spoke regarding loose minerals and salt compared to the blocks. He is not at all in favor of the blocks for equines and highly recommends feeding loose free choice supplements, which has always been my choice.

I asked about having Luc tested and he suggested giving Lucers an EC injection now just in case he is deficient then have him tested when Liberty is retested. Vet said that if Luc is not SE deficient it would be okay as the shot will not hurt him if he does not need it.

I am now thinking we have had a SE deficiency here for a long time. Wish I had known sooner as I am now suspecting that the unexplained change of attitudes in animals we have had here in the past is also the result of SE Deficiency.

Liberty is on a relaxed schedule and will remain at Day Star now until mid July. We are so gratefully to the folks at DSF, the chiropractor and vet for helping us solve this mystery and going the extra mile for Liberty.

Kristi