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Anaemia occurs when there is a reduction in the number or quality of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bloodstream. These cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and organs, and a deficiency can severely affect a horse’s health and performance.
There are several types of anaemia:
Erythrocytes transport oxygen throughout the body. They live for about 145 days in horses and are then broken down, with iron stored for reuse. This process is crucial to sustaining life and energy in the horse.
A blood test measuring PCV (packed cell volume) helps assess red blood cell levels. The normal PCV range for horses is 32%–53%. Additional tests include blood smears to evaluate red cell structure.
Anaemia may result from:
A balanced diet is vital. Red blood cell production depends on:
Horses in heavy work may need supplementation from products like Equilibrium or VitaStance.
Feeding garlic or onions to horses is risky. They contain N-propyl disulfide, which damages red cells and can cause anaemia and jaundice if fed in high amounts or over long periods.
