Iron

Iron is an essential trace mineral required for numerous physiological functions in horses, most notably its role in oxygen transport as a component of hemoglobin and myoglobin. It also plays critical roles in cellular respiration, energy metabolism, and enzymatic processes. The majority of the body’s iron is found in red blood cells, with the remainder stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

In equine diets, iron is commonly present in adequate amounts through natural feedstuffs such as forage, grains, and water. This makes iron deficiency in horses rare.

Excessive supplementation of iron is generally discouraged, as horses have limited mechanisms for excreting excess iron. Furthermore, high dietary iron can interfere with the absorption of other trace minerals such as zinc and copper. For most horses, dietary iron needs are sufficiently met through forages without the need for additional supplementation.