Question

I just moved to Kentucky, and I am getting my first horse. I want to make sure he's getting the minerals he needs, and I've heard of selenium-deficient areas throughout the country. So, I am trying to find out the selenium levels in central Kentucky. Also, are there any other deficiencies that I need to be aware of?

Answer

The selenium levels in Kentucky soils can be found on this U.S. Geological Survey map. Levels are certainly adequate (around 0.37 ppm) in Fayette County. Central Kentucky is not a selenium-deficient region, unlike some parts of New England and other areas of the U.S. So, as long as your horse receives (a) around 1.5% of his body weight per day in forage, and (b) the recommended amount of a fortified feed or forage balancer pellet to complement his forage intake, it shouldn’t need additional supplementation in order to meet his nutrient requirements.