Samantha Thompson
27th Sept 2025 – 4 Minute Read
Do Most Horses, Equine and Large Livestock Have Mitochondria?
Of course. The answer is a definitive yes.
All horses, equines, and large livestock have mitochondria in their cells. In fact, mitochondria are found in virtually every cell of every multicellular animal, plant, and fungus on Earth.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of why this is the case and why it’s especially important for large, active animals:
Mitochondria are the "Powerhouses of the Cell"
Their primary job is to take energy from nutrients (like sugars and fats from food) and convert it into a usable form of chemical energy called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). This process is known as cellular respiration.
Without mitochondria, complex cells (eukaryotic cells) would not have enough energy to function, grow, or reproduce.
Why Mitochondria is Crucial for Horses and Large Livestock
Large, active animals have immense energy requirements:
- Muscle Function: A horse’s ability to run, jump, and pull heavy loads depends on its powerful muscles. Muscle cells are packed with mitochondria to provide the constant supply of ATP needed for contraction.
- Endurance: Animals like cattle and horses are built for sustained activity (grazing, migrating). This requires efficient, long-term energy production, which is the specialty of mitochondria.
- Body Size: Simply maintaining a large body—pumping blood, digesting food, regulating temperature—requires a tremendous amount of energy.
- Thermogenesis: Large animals use energy to maintain their body temperature. The process of generating heat is fueled by ATP from mitochondria.
Enhancing Animal Mitochondrial Function with Red Light Therapy
A growing area of scientific research explores how specific wavelengths of light can directly enhance mitochondrial function, a discovery with significant potential for animal care. This process, known as photobiomodulation (PBM), primarily uses red light (660 nm) and near-infrared light (NIR 850 nm).
How does it work?
The key mechanism is the absorption of light photons by a crucial enzyme within the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase. This enzyme is a primary player in the electron transport chain, the process that creates ATP.
- 660 nm (Red Light): Penetrates tissue superficially and is excellent for treating areas close to the skin, such as wounds, superficial inflammation, and joint surfaces.
- 850 nm (Near-Infrared Light): Penetrates deeper into the body, reaching muscles, tendons, and bones. This is particularly beneficial for large animals with dense tissue, like horses.
When cytochrome c oxidase absorbs this light energy, its activity increases. This leads to:
- Increased ATP Production: The enhanced enzyme efficiency results in more energy being produced for cellular repair and function.
- Reduced Oxidative Stress: The process can help decrease the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to less inflammation.
- Improved Blood Flow: It stimulates the release of nitric oxide, improving circulation and delivering more oxygen and nutrients to cells.
Application in Horses and Livestock:
For equine athletes and working livestock, Red and NIR Light Therapy is increasingly used to:
- Accelerate recovery from muscle fatigue and exertion.
- Reduce inflammation in tendons and ligaments.
- Promote healing of wounds and injuries.
- Support overall cellular health and performance.
By directly “charging” the mitochondria, LED Light Therapy Shop Animal devices, offer a non-invasive way to support the very source of cellular energy in these powerful animals.
A Fascinating Side Note: Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondria have their own small, unique piece of DNA, separate from the DNA in the cell’s nucleus. This is because scientists believe mitochondria evolved from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by a larger cell in a symbiotic relationship billions of years ago.
This mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited almost exclusively from the mother. This has made it an incredibly valuable tool for:
- Tracing Lineage: Scientists and breeders can use mtDNA to trace the maternal lineage of a horse back for generations.
- Evolutionary Studies: It has been used to study the evolutionary history and domestication of horses and cattle.
- Genetic Testing: It can help identify genetic diseases linked to mitochondrial function.
In summary: Not only do horses and large livestock have mitochondria, but they are absolutely essential for providing the vast amounts of energy these animals need to survive, move, and work.
Small Red Light Therapy Cape | Cats, Small Dogs & Livestock
References:
Mitochondria as “Powerhouses of the Cell” & ATP Production in Horses
- Latham, C.M., Guy, C.P., Wesolowski, L.T., & White-Springer, S.H. (2022). “Fueling equine performance: importance of mitochondrial phenotype in equine athletes.” Animal Frontiers, 12(3):6-17. PMC9197311. PubMed Central and Oxford Academic Confirms mitochondria as “powerhouses of the cell” and their role in ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation in equine muscle cells
- Votion, D.M., Gnaiger, E., Lemieux, H., Mouithys-Mickalad, A., & Serteyn, D. (2012). “Physical Fitness and Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity in Horse Skeletal Muscle.” PLOS ONE, 7(4):e34890. PLOS and PubMed Central Demonstrates that OXPHOS capacity increased from overweight to competitive horses, showing mitochondrial importance in equine athletic performance
- Tateo, A., Padalino, B., Boccaccio, M., Maggiolino, A., & Centoducati, P. (2022). “Mitochondrial Dysfunctions and Potential Molecular Markers in Sport Horses.” Life, 12(8):1269. PMID: 35955789. PubMed Reviews the crucial role of mitochondria in metabolic energy production and ATP synthesis in equine athletes
Muscle Function & Energy Requirements in Horses
- Kentucky Equine Research. (2018). “Muscle Function, Diet, and Metabolism in Active Horses. Kentucky Equine Research Explains that Type 1 fibers have high mitochondrial density for endurance and resistance to fatigue in horses
- Pösö, A.R. & Lampinen, K.J. (2006). “Monocarboxylate Transporters and Lactate Metabolism in Equine Athletes: A Review.” Equine Veterinary Journal, Suppl. 36. PMC1764192. NCBI Notes horses have maximal oxygen uptake of ~160 ml/kg body weight/min, more than twice that of human elite athletes, indicating exceptional mitochondrial capacity
Photobiomodulation & Red Light Therapy – Mechanism of Action
- Karu, T.I. (2010). “Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR-A radiation.” IUBMB Life, 62:607-10. PMID: 20552641. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Foundational research on how cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) acts as a chromophore absorbing red and near-infrared light
- Chung, H., Dai, T., Sharma, S.K., Huang, Y.Y., Carroll, J.D., & Hamblin, M.R. (2012). “The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy.” Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 40:516-33. PMID: 22045511. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Comprehensive review of photobiomodulation mechanisms including increased ATP production and reduced oxidative stress
- de Freitas, L.F. & Hamblin, M.R. (2016). “Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy.” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 22(3):348-64. Effect of infrared and red monochromatic light on equine wound healing – Michanek – 2021 – Equine Veterinary Journal – Wiley Online Library +2 Details the mechanisms of how red and NIR light enhance ATP production, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow
Red Light Therapy Applications in Equine Medicine
- Michanek, P., Tatz, A.J., Fürst, A., von Rechenberg, B., & Fortier, L. (2021). “Effect of infrared and red monochromatic light on equine wound healing.” Equine Veterinary Journal, 53(4):739-747. PMID: 32285517. Wiley Online Library and PubMed Study investigating LED photobiomodulation (637nm and 956nm) effects on wound healing in horses, confirming cytochrome c oxidase as the mechanism
- Haussler, K.K., Hesbach, A.L., Romano, L., Galuppo, L., Van Loan, M.D., & Blasch, M. (2020). “Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care on Back Pain in Quarter Horses.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 89:102986. Mad Barn Clinical study demonstrating pain relief benefits in horses using light therapy
Wavelength-Specific Information (660nm & 850nm)
- General consensus from multiple sources: 660nm red light penetrates approximately 8-10mm into tissue, primarily affecting the epidermis and dermis, making it excellent for superficial treatments like wound healing and inflammation near the skin surface. 850nm near-infrared light penetrates 30-50mm, reaching muscles, tendons, and bones, making it ideal for deep tissue applications in large animals like horses How Deep Does Red Light Therapy Penetrate? Explained
Mitochondrial DNA & Maternal Inheritance in Horses
- Cieslak, M., Pruvost, M., Benecke, N., et al. (2010). “Origin and History of Mitochondrial DNA Lineages in Domestic Horses.” PLOS ONE, 5(12):e15311. Demonstrates mtDNA’s strict maternal inheritance and its use in tracing horse lineages across generations and geographic regions PLOS and PubMed Central
- Jansen, T., Forster, P., Levine, M.A., et al. (2002). “Mitochondrial DNA and the origins of the domestic horse.” PNAS, 99(16):10905-10910. PNAS and PubMed Confirms mtDNA is maternally inherited and valuable for tracing maternal lineages in horses, used to study domestication history
- Engel, L., Becker, D., Nissen, T., et al. (2021). “Exploring the Origin and Relatedness of Maternal Lineages Through Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA in the Holstein Horse.” Frontiers in Genetics, 12:632500. Frontiers and PubMed Central Explains mtDNA’s maternal inheritance without recombination makes it ideal for examining maternal lineages in horse breeding
- Agbani, A., Aminou, O., Machmoum, M., et al. (2024). “A Systematic Literature Review of Mitochondrial DNA Analysis for Horse Genetic Diversity.” Animals, 14(6). PMC11939364. PubMed Central Reviews mtDNA use for tracing ancestry, validating maternal lineages, and identifying haplogroups in horses
Additional Supporting Evidence
- “Red Light Therapy for Wound Healing: Research-Backed Benefits” discusses how red light therapy increases ATP production by stimulating cytochrome c oxidase activity, enhances collagen synthesis, and improves blood flow in both humans and animals including horses Equiglow Therapeutic
- Mad Barn Equine Nutrition (2025) notes that photobiomodulation therapy is proposed to work by activating mitochondria to increase ATP production, which may enhance cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation in horses Mad Barn
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