Iodine
Iodine is an essential trace element. Most of the iodine is found in the thyroid gland. Iodine is a central component of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which regulate metabolism.
In the case of iodine deficiency, increased tissue production is stimulated by the thyroid gland (goitre) and the horse’s performance capacity declines. The daily requirement (warmblood) is approximately 1.6 to 1.8 mg. The horse’s iodine requirement can be ensured through additional feeding of iodised salt licks and minerals, as well as feeding clover species and brassicas.
Requirement-appropriate provision is particularly important for pregnant mares. Horses react relatively sensitively to an oversupply of iodine. Iodine-rich algae products pose a particularly high risk in this regard.