One underlying reason for lack of performance, fatigue or lethargy in performance horses can be anemia, which is the lack of red blood cells. Red blood cells are oxygen carriers. if red blood cells are low, the body might not get enough oxygen for performance. Equine anemias are often caused by a nutritional deficiency. Contrary to common beliefs, in many areas of the country this is NOT an iron deficiency but a relative Copper deficiency. Three minerals are needed to make red blood cells: Iron, Copper and Cobalt. Those three minerals have to be present in the right relationship. In this video, Equine Nutritionist and retired German Veterinarian Dr. Gabi Gross explains how to find out if a horse is copper deficient and what do to about it.