Floris Vitamin E/Selenium

Floris Vitamin E/Selenium

Floris Vitamin E/Selenium is a complementary feed for horses, developed to support normal muscle function and protect cells against oxidative stress. The formulation combines vitamin E and selenium, two essential nutrients that complement each other in the body’s antioxidant defense mechanisms.

Vitamin E is primarily obtained from fresh green forage. Its concentration can decrease considerably during hay harvesting, drying, and prolonged storage. Horses with limited access to fresh pasture may therefore be at increased risk of inadequate vitamin E intake.

Properties and benefits

Vitamin E and selenium both play important roles in protecting cells against oxidative damage, although they have different physiological functions.

• Vitamin E: a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes against oxidative damage. Vitamin E is particularly important for normal muscle and nervous system function.
• Selenium: an essential trace element incorporated into various selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes play an important role in protecting cells against oxidative stress.
• Complementary functions: vitamin E and selenium act through different antioxidant mechanisms and together contribute to maintaining normal muscle function.

Prolonged vitamin E and/or selenium deficiencies may cause muscle weakness and neuromuscular disorders in horses. Severe deficiencies can also result in muscle tissue damage.

When to use Floris Vitamin E/Selenium?

Vitamin E and selenium supplementation may be considered under veterinary guidance:

• In horses with a confirmed vitamin E and/or selenium deficiency.
• In horses with limited or no access to fresh pasture.
• When dietary evaluation identifies an insufficient intake of vitamin E or selenium.
• In horses with muscle disorders where a nutritional cause is suspected.
• In sport horses with increased antioxidant requirements when their existing diet does not adequately meet these needs.

Additional supplementation is not automatically necessary in horses undergoing intensive training. Individual requirements depend on the complete diet, nutrient availability, and the horse’s health status.

Composition

Wheat, yeast products, dextrose, vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate), selenium (sodium selenite).

The formulation contains vitamin E and selenium as nutritional additives. Always check the current concentrations on the product label before use, particularly because selenium has a relatively narrow margin of safety.

Directions for use and dosage

Dosage according to existing product information: 1.5 to 2.5 measuring scoops daily, equivalent to approximately 30 to 50 g of powder.

Divide the daily amount between two meals and mix the powder into the feed. One measuring scoop contains approximately 20 g.

Important: this dosage should not be considered universally applicable. The appropriate amount must be determined based on the horse’s body weight, complete diet, and existing vitamin E and selenium intake. Verify the current selenium concentration of the product before starting supplementation.

Do not combine this product with other selenium-containing supplements or mineral feeds without prior veterinary advice. Excessive selenium intake can be harmful.

Packaging and duration of use

Floris Vitamin E/Selenium is available in a 1 kg container of powder.

At a daily amount of 40 g, one container provides 25 days of supplementation. At 30 to 50 g daily, the duration of use ranges from approximately 20 to 33 days.

Keep the container tightly closed and store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

Advice from the equine veterinarian

Vitamin E and selenium are essential for normal muscle function. Deficiencies may contribute to various neuromuscular disorders, including nutritional myodegeneration. Vitamin E deficiency may also be involved in vitamin E-responsive myopathy and certain neurological disorders.

In horses presenting with muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, stiffness, or reduced performance, I recommend investigating the underlying cause rather than relying solely on clinical signs to determine whether supplementation is necessary. Measuring serum vitamin E and whole-blood selenium concentrations can help identify deficiencies. Depending on the clinical findings, additional investigations, including creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) measurements, may be indicated.

Particular caution is required with selenium supplementation. This trace element has a relatively narrow margin of safety and can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts. I therefore recommend evaluating the total selenium intake from forage, concentrate feeds, and other supplements before administering additional selenium.

In horses with an isolated vitamin E deficiency, supplementation with vitamin E alone may be more appropriate. The choice of supplement and dosage should always be tailored to the individual horse’s requirements.