Oils ain't oils - the benefits of feeding the right type of oil

Article from RD1's 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth', July 2011.

The way horses are fed has changed over the years. The horse evolved on a diet that was predominantly pasture and had access to a variety of pasture species. The pasture selection and the amount of pasture available to horses has changed. Horses now have access to a limited selection of pasture species, and concentrates are added to the ration. Adding feeds such as soybeans, sunflowers and corn that are high in Omega 6 oils has skewed the Omega 3:Omega 6 balance in the horse's diet. To correctly balance this ratio Omega 3 oils need to be added to the ration.

Omega 3 oils are a group of unsaturated fatty acids. They cannot be synthesised by the horse and are needed in the diet. The three essential omega 3 fatty acids are: -linolenic acid which is found in vegetable oils such as Canola and Linseed. The other longer chain Omega 3 fatty acids are only found in animal tissue and fish oil; these are Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docoshohexanoic acid (DHA).

DHA and EPA are in a form that the horse can use immediately. The plant form, -linolenic acid, needs to be converted to DHA and EPA before it can be used. This process is inefficient and the most direct way of providing these valuable long chain Omega 3 oils is by supplementation. Mitavite Performa 3 Oil provides serious levels of DHA and EPA.

Research in human and animal nutrition have provided many benefits for feeding the longer chain Omega 3 rich oils, particularly DHA and EPA:

Racing and Performance may benefit as DHA-rich Omega 3 supplements may assist in lowering heart rates and lower packed cell volumes during exercise. It may be beneficial in enhancing red blood cell formation, suppleness and flexibility. Lung health may improve due to decreased inflammation and improved blood circulation.

Breeding may benefit as DHA-rich Omega 3 supplements may contribute to enhanced fertility and improved sperm motility when the sperm has been frozen in the breeding stallion.

Older Horses that have cartilage degradation and the pain and inflammation associated with degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis, may be improved with Omega 3 supplementation. It has been shown to be reduced with Omega 3 supplementation in humans.

If the Omega 3:Omega 6 ratio is out of balance, moving the balance of power from the pro-inflammatory Omega 6 oils to the Omega 3 oils, inflammatory responses may be reduced. It may be beneficial for some horses that have allergic skin reactions to Culicoides. i.e Queensland Itch.

Help to keep the Omega 3: Omega 6 balance right. Performa-3 Oil provides Omega 3 rich, fish and vegetable oils with added garlic to increase immunity and it's available from RD1.

Disclaimer: Any views and comments expressed in this article are not necessarily the opinions of RD1 Limited nor associated agencies. This content is copyright of RD1 Limited.