By BRIAN SKOLOFF WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Florida officials
say a mineral overdose is the probable cause of death for 21 polo horses that
fell ill as they prepared for a championship match earlier this month.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Tuesday the
animals likely overdosed on selenium, a common mineral that can be toxic in high
doses.
The horses from the Venezuelan-owned Lechuza Caracas team began collapsing as
they were unloaded from trailers at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in
Wellington. Some died at the scene, others hours later. All 21 horses were dead
by the next day.
The toxicology results say the animals had "significantly increased selenium
levels."
Necropsies previously revealed bleeding in the horses' lungs.
So how much selenium would it take to be toxic?
Would it be a different amount by injection than by food suppliment? Would it
really kill a horse that fast?? Would it kill a horse that fast if they ate it
instead of had it injected?
