Nutrition Deficiencies in Horses

Questions and Answers

What is a potential consequence of selenium deficiency in working horses?

Increased energy levels

Enhanced reproduction

Improved mane and tail growth

Rhabdomyolysis (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of vitamin A deficiency?

Increased muscle mass (correct)

Deformed hooves

Nyctalopia

Capricious appetite

What is a critical role of Vitamin E in horses?

Bone calcification

Milk production

Antioxidant function (correct)

Energy production

What condition may be prevented by adequate sunlight exposure for horses?

Vitamin D deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of prolonged confinement of young horses with limited sun exposure?

Reduced bone calcification Signup and view all the answers

How can excess selenium affect horses?

Sloughing of the hoof Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with vitamin A deficiency?

Irritability Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk factor for developing vitamin E deficiency in horses?

Aggressive antibiotic treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which symptoms are associated with selenium deficiency in horses?

Muscle tremors and ataxia Signup and view all the answers

What are possible symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in horses?

Night blindness and poor coat condition Signup and view all the answers

Why is vitamin E considered important for horses?

Supports muscle function and antioxidant protection Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of vitamin D deficiency in horses due to lack of sunlight exposure?

Bone weakness and deformities Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is linked to thiamine deficiency in horses?

Weakness and neurological issues Signup and view all the answers

What are the effects of zinc deficiency in foals?

Reduced growth rate and skin lesions Signup and view all the answers

What happens with an excess intake of copper in horses?

It interferes with selenium and iron metabolism Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of iron excess in horses?

Microcytic, hypochromic anemia Signup and view all the answers

What are the clinical signs associated with thiamine deficiency?

Anorexia and incoordination Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is a disease directly related to nutrition?

Obesity Signup and view all the answers

What impact does zinc deficiency have on foals?

Reduced growth rate and alopecia Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin deficiency is associated with a critical role in muscle health?

Vitamin E Signup and view all the answers

How can clinical signs of deficiencies be addressed in horses?

With supplementation and sunlight exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is indirectly related to nutrition?

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of excessive zinc intake in young horses?

Developmental orthopedic disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of these conditions is a combination of directly and indirectly related to nutrition?

Laminitis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Selenium

Selenium deficiency leads to decreased serum selenium levels and increased AST activity, resulting in white muscle disease and potential rhabdomyolysis in horses.
Excess selenium, even at low levels (5 ppm), can cause loss of mane and tail hairs and sloughing of hooves.

Vitamins

Vitamin A Deficiency
- Results from feeding dried, poor-quality roughage over time.
- Symptoms may take months to manifest; includes nyctalopia, keratinization of the cornea, pneumonia susceptibility, incoordination, and deformed hooves.
Vitamin E
- Highly labile, quickly lost during storage in feeds and hays.
- Acts as an important antioxidant; deficiency linked to rhabdomyolysis, impaired immunity, reproductive failure, and ocular lesions.
Vitamin D
- May not develop deficiency if horses consume sun-cured hay or are exposed to sunlight.
- Prolonged confinement can lead to reduced bone calcification, joint stiffness, irritability, and low serum calcium/phosphorus levels.

Minerals

Magnesium
- Deficiency in foals fed low magnesium diets results in hypomagnesemia, nervousness, tremors, ataxia, and possible death.
- Common feeds typically exceed the 70-100 mg/kg dry ration recommendation.
Iron
- Deficiency often arises from parasitism or chronic blood loss, leading to microcytic, hypochromic anemia.
- Excess iron can disrupt copper metabolism, also causing anemia.
Zinc
- Deficiency in foals characterized by reduced growth, anorexia, skin lesions, and low alkaline phosphatase activity.
- Excessive zinc (>1,000 ppm) linked to developmental orthopedic disease.
Copper
- Low blood copper levels may be associated with uterine artery rupture in older mares.
- Deficiency can lead to aortic aneurysm and improper cartilage formation; excess can interfere with selenium and iron metabolism.

Thiamine

Thiamine deficiency leads to anorexia, weight loss, incoordination, and elevated blood pyruvate, often seen in bracken fern poisoning.
Natural diets generally provide sufficient thiamine, but stress may increase requirements.

Equine Nutritional Diseases

Nutritional diseases can negatively impact horse performance and health.
Categories include:
- Directly related to nutrition: preventable with proper diets (e.g., Obesity, White Muscle Disease).
- Indirectly related to nutrition: management through nutrition but not preventable (e.g., HYPP, Insulin Resistance).
- Combination diseases: involve both direct and indirect factors (e.g., Laminitis, Equine Colic).

Obesity
White Muscle Disease
Developmental Orthopedic Disease
Mycotoxicosis
Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSH)

HYPP
Insulin Resistance
Enterolithiasis
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM or EPSM)

Combination Diseases

Laminitis
Equine Colic
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (Equine Ulcers)

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Description

This quiz covers the nutritional deficiencies related to selenium and vitamins in horses. It explores the effects of selenium deficiency such as increased AST activity and risks associated with excess intake. Additionally, it addresses vitamin A deficiency and its implications when inadequate roughage is fed.