Iron is an essential trace mineral in horses that plays a significant role in various physiological processes, including oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and enzyme function. It is a key component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, proteins responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood and muscles, respectively. Iron is also involved in the function of certain enzymes and the synthesis of DNA. Horses typically obtain iron from their diet, with forages and grains being primary sources. However, both iron deficiency and overload can lead to health issues, such as anemia or hemosiderosis. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the metabolism, dietary requirements, and health implications of iron in equine physiology.
The type of diet that a horse consumes is one of the most important factors determining the mineral profile and tensile strength of its hooves, so the quality and nutritional value of the supplied feed are fundamental to achieving satisfactory hoof quality. The objective of this study was to compare the differences in the mineral concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe) between two diets, namely silage and a commercial concentrate, using atomic absorption spectrometry and to determine which led to higher increases in the hoof tensile strength of ho...
Son V, Penagos-Tabares F, Hollmann M, Khiaosa-Ard R, Sulyok M, Krska R, Zebeli Q.Pastures are used for grazing and the production of conserved roughage in horses. Yet, the nutritional profile of the forage varies from spring to late summer, affecting equine nutrient supply and health. In addition, environmental factors may also favor plant contaminants such as mycotoxins. This study aimed to determine the nutritional profile and contaminant load of selected horse pastures from early spring till late summer. The nutrient composition (main macronutrients, macro elements and trace elements), as well as mycotoxins, metabolites, pesticides, and plant-derived compounds of seven ...
Canola PA, Salles RF, Daneze ER, Sobreira MFR, Oliveira BE, Favero ML, Antonioli ML.The aim of the study was to compare and correlate levels of ferritin, transferrin, iron and APPs in healthy horses and those surgically treated for strangulating colic. On admission, measurements of inflammatory markers related to iron and total protein, fibrinogen, albumin, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin were made. The study comprised 22 horses, divided into a control group (CG) of healthy horses (n = 10) and horses with surgically treated acute abdomen (n = 12), obstruction group (OG). The OG was subdivided according to the affected intestinal segment (small vs. large) and according to ou...
Giers J, Bartel A, Kirsch K, Müller SF, Horstmann S, Gehlen H.After submaximal exercise, blood values of eventing horses show physiological reactions. This prospective longitudinal study investigated blood parameters in 20 elite eventing horses before and after two-four-star cross-country rides. Using a mixed model adjusting for plasma volume shift, we assessed exercise-dependent parameters and compared blood values with reference ranges for healthy horses at rest. Following exercise, cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) showed short-term increases, and superoxide-dismutase showed a small short-term increase. Hepatic values showed short-ter...
Su Y, Zhang Z, Wang L, Zhang B, Su L. subsp. () is one of the important zoonotic and opportunistic pathogens. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that supports the potential role of in severe diseases in horses and other animals, including humans. Furthermore, the clinical isolation and drug resistance rates of have been increasing yearly, leading to interest in its in-depth genomic analysis. In order to deepen the understanding of the characteristics and genomic features, we investigated the genomic islands, mobile genetic elements, virulence and resistance genes, and phenotype of strain ZHZ 211 (ST147), isolat...
