background image
BORON: HIGH LEVEL Mostly from bore/river water, antibiotics,
antacids, antihistamines. Boron aids calcium absorption and is required for
normal growth, aids and prevents arthritis. Low levels often cause joints to
click. High levels cause dermatitis, lethargy.
CALCIUM: HIGH LEVEL Calcium is required for cell membrane
regulation, muscle contraction, body fluid regulation, stimulates blood
formation and phosphorus metabolism. When level is low can cause
depression, tooth decay, irritability, brittle bones, muscle cramping,
development orthopedic disease(DOD) big head, loss of condition, stiff
movement, fractures. High levels can cause arthritis, fatigue, muscle pain,
unwillingness to work.
CHROMIUM: GOOD LEVEL Needed for sugar metabolism, glucose
tolerance. Supplies energy for muscular contraction, essential component
of bone and hair, required carbohydrate and lipid metabolism regulator.
High levels cause ulcers, kidney damage, spring and summer allergies.
Low levels cause fatigue, lack of stamina, depressed growth rates.
COBALT: LOW LEVEL Needed to synthesise Vit.B12 . Required for
the production of red blood cells, essential in the racehorse/horse. Toxic
levels produce excess of red blood cells, inhibit protein absorption,
disrupt thyroid function. Low levels contribute to anaemia and may cause
diarrhea, gait abnormalities. Supplement via food source ­ wheat germ/
bran, brewers yeast.
COPPER: GOOD LEVEL Needed for enzyme production in heart, liver
and kidneys. Low levels cause diarrhea, poor coat and orange tint to coat,
stiffness, lameness in joints, worm burden, fungal infections. Dark colored
horses require more. High levels affect adrenal function, cause arthritis
and joint problems, spooky behaviour, inflammation, lethargy, kidney
problems and death.
IRON: SLIGHTLY LOW LEVEL Needed for haemoglobin production that
carries oxygen in the blood. Crucial for the performance horse to have
adequate levels. Low levels present as anaemia, weakness, fatigue early
when in work, resistance to work. High levels may cause arthritis in joints,
prevents copper from being absorbed, bacterial resistance, liver problems,
respiratory dysfunction
MAGNESIUM: TOXIC LEVEL Low levels cause weight loss, muscle
cramps after work, anxious behavior, irritable behaviour, high blood
pressure, kidney stones, staggering. High levels may cause muscle
weakness, unable to finish off race adequately, loose manure, depressed
state, prevents phosphorus from being absorbed. Magnesium is great for
nervous horses, it is needed for healthy muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Needed to maintain liver activity, synthesises protein, prevents tissue
calcification.
MANGANESE: GOOD LEVEL Required for energy production, glucose
tolerance, tendon and ligament elasticity. Low levels present as weak
ligaments and tendons muscular weakness, periodic lameness,
allergies. High levels present as anaemia, gastrointestinal disturbances,
neurological symptoms, erratic behaviour, muscle tremors, mild head
shaking. Increase via food source.
MOLYBDENUM: HIGH LEVEL Required in the horse for growth,
longevity and healthy teeth.. High levels usually present as copper
deficiency, hair loss, loss of hair colour, skin conditions, weight loss, lack
of bone density.
PHOSPHORUS: LOW LEVEL and should never be higher than
calcium which it is not. Needed for regulation of calcium, red blood cell
metabolism, muscle contraction, just to name a few functions of this
important mineral. Low levels may cause lameness, joint stiffness/ locking
and soreness, weight loss, big head syndrome, fractures, DOD, loss of
condition. Rice bran pellets which have very good levels of phosphorus
and amino acids
POTASSIUM: TOXIC LEVEL ­Required for intracellular fluid
balance, muscle contraction and heart rate regulation. Need to get
this balance with sodium for optimum performance in the racehorse/
performance horse. Low levels cause weakness, easy to tire, fatigue,
weight loss, reduced feed and water intake are common. High
levels cause muscle spasms, muscle weakness, water retention, a
depressed horse.
SELENIUM: Low Level: Low levels present as weakness, respiratory
distress, stiffness, locking of stifles, and impaired cardiac function,
MUSCULAR PROBLEMS, ARTHRITIS, TYING UP. An antioxidant
needed for immune and cardiovascular systems, healthy hooves, hair
and skin, enhances immune system. Needed to help detox heavy
metals. Heavier metals prevent it from being absorbed, result in slow
growth and lack of muscle tone and strength. Found in wheat germ
and wheat bran, brewers yeast, barley
SODIUM: : VERY HIGH LEVEL: Horses require adequate sodium
to maintain electrolyte balance. High levels upset the atp pump
and electrolyte balance, cause colics, diarrhea, irritable behavior,
nervousness, restlessness, affect sweat output, loss of weight inability
to maintain weight .
SULPHUR: BORDERLINE LEVEL:- :Needed for amino acid
production and protein structures. Low levels cause lice, poor coat and
skin, often rashes, hair loss.
ZINC: TOXIC LEVEL: Required for energy, appetite, wound
healing, growth healthy coat and hooves, carbohydrate and protein
metabolism. High levels can cause swelling in long bones, lameness
and anaemia, gut abnormalities, stiffness, off feed. Low levels
decrease appetite, can cause hair loss, flaky skin, stiff joints and
lameness.
TOXIC ELEMENTS
Within range.
ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS
Strontium: This mineral is in the high range and it supports calcium
absorption. At this time it does not pose a problem. High levels
contribute to strong bones.
SIGNIFICANT RATIOS:
When ratios are imbalanced indicates metabolic dysfunction.
Improvement occurs once individual minerals are balanced.
Ca/K : The thyroid indicator. Very low level. This interprets as over
active thyroid and is a result of imbalances. Symptoms are usually
failure to keep topline on and failure to maintain weight
Na/Mg : is the adrenal indicator. Borderline level
Ca/Mg :LOW Level: The measurement of blood sugars and
carbohydrates. Shows that diet is imbalanced between carbs, sugars
and proteins
Zn/Cu: VERY HIGH level: Zinc domination and biounavailable
copper
Fe/Cu : GOOD level: This ratio assesses blood, tissue and muscle
as well as oxygen flow from tissue to lungs.
Ca/P : very high level. Over fast metabolism due to toxicities.
Na/K : VERY LOW LEVEL: ­ The vitality indicator.. Symptoms in
horses are joint pain, burned out, lethargy, allergies depression,
ulcers, chronic stress on liver and kidneys. Will adjust with
supplements.
EXPLANATION OF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
HAIR MINERAL TISSUE ANALYSIS
HAIR MINERAL TISSUE ANALYSIS