Red Cell for equines.... selenium content

[Yorkshire Coop]

Harry horse is off it at the moment. Same symptoms as last year when a blood test confirmed he was anemic. It seems to be a change in season and a coat change that triggers it.
As recommended last year I'm going to start him on red cell. He is on different feed this year though. So my question is will adding this supplement overload him on the selenium? He is also on American equine cortaflex and American equine buteless supplements.

On the red cell it says ~ Feed Red Cell by mixing into daily feed ration or orally with a dose syringe.
IMPORTANT: Intake of supplemental selenium should not exceed 0.3 ppm on a complete ration basis. Store in a cool, dry place. Shake well before using. Keep from freezing. Close container after each use.
CAUTION: Follow label directions. The addition to feed of higher levels of this premix containing selenium is not permitted. Excessive amounts of selenium may be toxic. Store in area inaccessible to children and animals. This Product should not be fed to copper sensitive animals, such as sheep.
https://www.viovet.co.uk/Farnam_Red_Cell_for_Horses/c8104/#subtab-extra_info_1

He's on these hard feeds ~
Alfa A Oil 1kg per day ~ http://www.dengie.com/horse-feeds/alfa-a-range/alfa-a-oil/#nutritional-guide

(Calm and condition) 1.5kg per day ~ http://www.animalfeedstore.com/Allen-And-Page/Calm-Condition-Comp-Nut-Add.aspx

(weight gain) 1kg per day ~ http://www.animalfeedstore.com/Allen-And-Page/Weight-Gain-Composition-and-Nutritional-Additives.aspx

 

[res]

Definitely a question for your vet. The vet can take into consideration the selenium levels of your area, in addition to your current feed program, and tell you exactly how many mgs of selenium you need to be supplementing, along with Vita E.

I would not take the advice of an internet forum when it comes to selenium. It is lethally toxic at upper levels, and it is NOT uncommon for multiple horses in a barn to succumb to selenium toxicity before it is found to be the source...

Don't mess around with selenium, ask your vet for advice!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Thanks for the reply. I have spoken to the feed company, emailed the manufacturer of Red Cell and emailed vet.
I'm awaiting replies

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

As I am in the UK the composition of Red Cell is different to the US. I'm using the EU formula.

An answer from the EU manufacturer ~
Hi Kim,

Thank you for your question which is very interesting, assuredly complicated but necessary to make balanced daily ration.

The selenium requirements for horses depend on their characteristics such as gender, age, breed and level of physical activity.

The selenium intakes, from feed, forage and supplement shoud be rigorously added to estimate the total intakes per day.

If your horse receives 1.79 mg of selenium per day from it daily feed, and if you add a maintenance dosage from Red cell (30 ml / day) which brings 0.65 mg of Se, your horse will receive 2.44 mg of Se per day.

The French recommandations concerning Se intakes, for an adulte horse at work are in average between 1.7 and 2.6 mg of Se / day. Once again, these values depend of your horse characteristics.

Please, be careful not to exceed too high intake of selenium (more than 3 mg/day), especially if your horse grazes young herbs.

Best regards,
Justine

Based on what Harry gets a day at the moment he is under the 3mg recommendation already but to be on the safe side I have cut his calm & condition ration in half until he comes off the red cell.