‘My horse’s azoturia was caused by her new pasture’

WHEN HAYLEY MARSH’S 12-year-old Thoroughbred polocrosse mare Kuala tied up for the first time, Hayley discovered that it was due to a selenium deficiency in the pasture. “I’d recently moved Kuala to new pasture and all the horses there were acting a bit strangely,” says Hayley. “They were hyperactive and stressy, and one started bucking when being ridden, which was totally unlike her. “When Kuala tied up, I called my vet who blood tested her and confirmed azoturia. She also suggested having the soil tested, and this showed a selenium deficiency and incorrect magnesium levels.” Hayley’s previous paddocks had been made up of rough grass and were surrounded by a variety of hedges and trees, which Hayley believes offered her horses the vitamins and minerals they needed to stay healthy. Although the paddocks at her new yard looked beautiful and green, they weren’t offering the same level and variety of nutrients. “I instantly put Kuala on a selenium and vitamin E supplement, and she hasn’t tied up since,” says Hayley. “I’ve also been giving all my horses a magnesium supplement and their behaviour has returned to normal.

I’m now looking at getting the soil fertilised with the right nutrients.

“It’s made me aware of how important grass quality is. We all concentrate on hard feed, but don’t consider the grass’s nutritional content and how that can affect our horses. “Pastures may look lovely and green, but they might not be great nutritionally, and my advice is for horse owners to get their soil analysed to ensure that their horses are getting everything they need.”