Assessment of copper and zinc status of farm horses and training thoroughbreds in south-east Queensland.

The research investigates the copper and zinc levels in the blood of south-east Queensland’s farm horses, including stabled thoroughbred horses and pregnant or lactifying Australian Stock Horses. It reveals that the concentration of these trace elements is generally lower than the average, indicating a possible copper and zinc deficiency, which could lead to skeletal abnormalities in foals.

Research Methods and Results

• The researchers determined the copper and zinc concentrations in the blood of different groups of horses using an atomic absorption spectroscopic method. This is a technique used to analyze the concentration of specific elements within a sample.
• The types of horses studied included stabled thoroughbreds and Australian Stock Horses mares, which were either late pregnant or lactating.
• The observed concentration of trace elements, specifically copper and zinc, were generally below the “normal” range. In stabled thoroughbreds, the concentrations of plasma copper, caeruloplasmin copper, whole blood copper, and plasma zinc were all notably low.
• A similar trend was observed in brood mares at pasture, both pregnant and lactating, where the plasma copper and zinc concentrations were also below the average range.
• Furthermore, the researchers noticed that plasma copper levels varied between stabled and farm horses, between horses from different stables, and between horses of different ages.

Clinical Significance

• The research highlights that such low concentrations of copper and zinc in the plasma of seemingly healthy horses hold clinical significance. According to recent evidence, a deficiency in copper can lead to the development of skeletal abnormalities in foals.
• Furthermore, the discrepancy between copper levels in pregnant and lactating mares, and between stabled and farm horses, suggest that different environments, life stages, and nutritional circumstances may impact the copper and zinc levels in horses. This provides a potential area for further research and targeted animal care.

Future Implications

• The study concludes with a discussion on the possibility of using an alternative to a single plasma sample to identify copper or zinc deficient horses potentially. This suggests that more comprehensive or diverse methods of testing could yield more accurate or insightful data
• This research lays the groundwork for improving dietary or living schedules of horses. By closely monitoring copper and zinc levels in horses, it might be possible to prevent or mitigate possible health consequences, especially among the foals.