Omega-3 vs omega-6: which fats a horse really needs
Why a horse's diet should contain more omega-3 than omega-6 fatty acids, where they are found and why fish oil is a more effective source of omega-3 than vegetable oil.
In horse nutrition, there is increasing talk about the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. But what does this ratio mean and why should a horse's diet contain more omega-3 than omega-6?
Both omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids – the horse cannot make them on its own and must eat them. They play an important role in many processes in the body, particularly in the production of prostaglandins that regulate inflammation. Simply put, omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and omega-6s promote inflammation. Inflammation is an important defense mechanism by which the body responds to injury and infection. However, excessive or prolonged inflammation can damage healthy tissues and impair the horse's performance, recovery and overall well-being. Therefore, the right ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is important.
The ideal ratio has not yet been clearly established by research in horse nutrition. However, a ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 in favor of omega-3 fatty acids is considered optimal for the horse's health and performance.
Fatty acids in feed for horses
Feed rations based on bulk feed naturally contain a higher proportion of omega-3 fatty acids. Horses that are fed mainly hay, pasture, and fibre feed find it easier to maintain a healthy balance.
Cereal-based foods and high-grain diets, on the other hand, contain significantly more omega-6s. In addition, many sport horses are given oils to increase energy intake and maintain fitness. However, corn, sunflower, safflower, and rapeseed oil are rich in omega-6. When fed alongside a high-grain diet, the horse may get an excess of omega-6, which can contribute to an increased inflammatory response in the body. It is recommended that such horses supplement with omega-3 fatty acids to balance the ratio.
Benefits of Omega-3 supplements for horses
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has a number of health and performance benefits, especially for horses in regular work or intensive training. In sport horses, omega-3s may help to reduce excessive inflammation after exercise and thus promote regeneration.
Since omega-3s regulate inflammatory processes, they may also support horses with inflammation-related problems such as:
- allergic reactions
- joint inflammation
- respiratory disease
- Exercise-induced bleeding from the lungs (EIPH)
- Gastric glandular disease (EGGD)
Increased intake of anti-inflammatory omega-3s may alleviate these problems, while a diet high in omega-6s may worsen them.
Fertility and immunity
Research has also shown that supplementing with omega-3s can boost fertility and immunity. In late pregnancy and lactation mares fed with marine omega-3 fatty acids increased the levels of key omega-3 fatty acids in blood plasma of both foal and mare, as well as in breast milk. These fatty acids are important for the immunity and early development of foals. Omega-3s can also help foals with reduced fertility and poorer sperm quality, especially when combined with other antioxidants.
Fish oil vs. vegetable oil as a source of omega-3
When choosing an omega-3 supplement, bioavailability is key. The most effective source is marine oils, which naturally contain EPA and DDA – fatty acids that the body uses directly. Fish oil contains them in an easy-to-use form, so it is highly bioavailable. Vegetable sources, such as flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils, contain omega-3s in the form of an ALA precursor that the horse must first convert to EPA and DHA. This conversion is quite inefficient, so the horse ends up getting less useful omega-3s.
EO.3TM from Kentucky Equine Research is a highly bioavailable source of marine EPA and DHA. It is therefore the most effective choice for increasing omega-3 blood levels and promoting inflammation management, regeneration, fertility and overall health of the horse.