Within the liver and spleen, a large percentage of the iron is located in the macrophages (large white blood cells), making iron an important part of the horse’s immune system. Three-quarters of a horse’s total iron stores are located in the liver, spleen, and muscles. Iron is primarily responsible for oxygen transport in the blood and muscle, in the form of compounds called hemoglobin and myoglobin, respectively. Iron uptake from the digestive tract of horses is very tightly regulated by a system of hormonal controls. Iron is a trace mineral which, in small amounts, is essential for life but can be toxic if overfed. Frequently, these sites also have products offered for sale or have links to sites that sell products that are supposed to help the horse with “iron overload.” So just what is iron overload in the equine diet, and do horse owners really need to worry about it?
The internet has several popular websites available for the average horse owner to “educate” themselves about iron in the equine diet. Iron levels in typical equine diets have been targeted as the reason for many equine health issues, including metabolic conditions, reduced immune function, poor hair coat and hoof wall, and developmental disease in growing horses. Terms such as “iron overload” are easy to find using a Google search, and the risks associated with “free radicals” and “oxidative stress” are often coupled to the amount of iron in the equine diet. Horse owners who are interested in equine nutrition, and actively involved in planning the composition of their horse’s diet, will know that iron intake has become a subject of much discussion.
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