Iron Deficiency in Horses what can we do?

The formation of red blood cells requires iron. Iron is required for the creation of haemoglobin, the component of the red blood cell that allows oxygen to be transported to the tissues. The red blood cells contain around 67 percent of the body's iron in the form of haemoglobin. Horses are capable of storing iron in their bodies.

Red blood cells are generated during a process called erythropoiesis and they stay in the circulation for roughly 150 days. When red blood cells die, the iron in their heme molecules is recycled and used to make new heme molecules and red blood cells.

Which horses are at risk of being Iron deficient? 

• If nutritional requirements aren't met, pregnant mares, foals, and performance horses are all at danger of iron shortage. 
• Horses without a comprehensive deworming programme are also at risk of iron deficiency, as parasite burden can cause chronic blood loss.
•  Intense exercise can cause horses to sweat up to 25-30 litres per day, resulting in a nett iron loss of roughly 500 milligrammes per day.
• Horses subject to considerable or chronic blood loss, whether by trauma or other means such as stomach ulcers, are more likely to develop iron deficiency.
  

   What are the signs and symptoms?

Iron deficiency in horses causes the following symptoms: 

• Fatigue
• Anaemia
• Performance reduction

How much iron do horses need? 

The content of iron is expressed in parts per million (ppm) (ppm). Horses just require a little amount of iron on a daily basis. The majority of horses get enough iron from their typical diet. Iron is most efficiently absorbed when consumed in small amounts, with iron absorption diminishing as iron consumption rises. 

Iron needs for horses are about as follows: 

For mature horses, 40 mg/kg every day 

For pregnant or nursing mares, 50 mg/kg per day is recommended. 

For growing horses, 50 mg/kg per day

Are there any supplements? 

There are a variety of horse Iron supplements available, such as Ranvet's Iron Plus, which contains highly bioavailable Iron designed to supplement Iron intake and provide critical elements for haemoglobin production if a horse's base diet is deficient in iron or has become Iron deficient due to other factors.

Iron preparations as orally supplemented iron is less reactive than injectables, with a protected absorption route. In a pelleted form, Cell-Iron is also more effective compared to liquid or powdered iron supplements, which will react with sensitive vitamins in feeds, particularly antioxidants.https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/kohnkes-own-cell...

Paste formulation especially for performance horses to get a boost is a great way of supplementing iron also . https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/hemo-paste-60g/

Vetsense Hemo Paste also helps to darken a horse’s coat all year round, especially coming out of Winter when they’re shedding their coat.