Oil for horses only healthy in small amounts

In nature, horses do not consume large amounts of oil. There is a small amount of oil in plant material, but it is very minimal. A horse is not built to process large amounts of oil. Bile is needed to digest fat. But a horse does not have a gall bladder, so bile is not readily available in large quantities for the digestion process. In horses, bile comes directly from the liver, but in small amounts. That's why large amounts of oil cannot be well digested. Therefore, give no more than 50-75ml of oil per day to your horse and divide this into several portions throughout the day.

Important: ratio of omega-6 to 3

Whether an oil is suitable and healthy for a horse is also determined by the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. EPA and DHA in omega-3 have an anti-inflammatory effect. But did you know that omega-6 has a pro-inflammatory effect? Therefore, you should always look at the ratio in an oil. Many vegetable oils such as sunflower oil contain a lot of omega-6 fatty acids, compared to omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, pellets and muesli often contain a lot of vegetable oils such as soy, corn, and sunflower oil. If you then add an omega-6 rich oil such as sunflower oil, the oils will work pro-inflammatory for your horse. That's why we have listed below for each type of oil why you should or should not give it to your horse.

ALA, EPA, and DHA in omega-3

Did you know that there are three types of omega-3 fatty acids? The horse's body, as well as us humans, need EPA and DHA for various processes. ALA is the plant-based form of omega-3 oil found in grass, linseed, and olive oil, for example. The body must then convert these into EPA and DHA. On average, about 9% of the ALA is converted into the essential EPA fatty acid. Then the body converts about 3.8% into DHA. For healthy horses, this conversion is no problem. However, this is a very inefficient process because only a small amount of ALA is converted to EPA and DHA. If you have a horse with health problems such as a lowered immune system, insulin resistance, summer eczema, or sensitivity to laminitis, you should opt for directly absorbable EPA and DHA, so that the body does not have to convert it. This is found in krill oil, fish oil, salmon oil, and algae.

Which oil is healthy for your horse?

Below is a list of oils that are healthy to feed your horse. These are oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids and therefore have a healthy influence on your horse's health.

• Linseed oil: Most horses can function well on linseed oil. Linseed oil contains ALA omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy horses can convert these ALA to usable EPA and DHA fatty acids. Horses with (metabolic) problems often have difficulty with this conversion, and then linseed oil is not a suitable choice.

• Fish oil: Not all horse owners feel comfortable giving fish oil to a horse. But fish oil may be one of the healthiest oils for your horse. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids in the form of EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are the fatty acids that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the horse's body. Only fish and algae oil contain directly absorbable EPA and DHA. In vegetable oils, there is only ALA which the body still has to convert to EPA and DHA. Additionally, the ratio with omega-6 fatty acids is balanced. Fish oil comes in various forms:

  • Salmon oil

  • Oil based on sardines, cod, or other fish

  • Cod liver oil: this is derived from the livers of fish and contains less omega-3, but also contains vitamins D and A.

• Olive oil: In addition to omega-3, olive oil also contains a lot of omega-9 fatty acids, which are also anti-inflammatory. Additionally, the ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 is balanced. Preferably choose (unfortunately more expensive) Greek organic olive oil, preferably extra virgin. This is the purest without preservatives. Legislation in Greece is very strict for olive oil, which is why this olive oil is the purest. Legislation in Italy, for example, is much more lenient, allowing the use of more pesticides, etc.

• Krill oil: Krill are shrimp-like creatures that eat algae and plankton and thus consume ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Krill can then convert these to EPA and DHA. Therefore, krill oil is a good source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. A vegan alternative to fish oil and also well-balanced with omega-3 fatty acids.

• Coconut oil: Pure coconut oil that has not been heated is a healthy source for horses. It is antibacterial and rich in lauric acid, which is good for the immune system and against viruses/bacteria. There is no omega-3 in coconut oil, so make sure your horse gets this essential fatty acid in a different way.

• Wheat germ oil: This may sound strange because wheat germ oil contains omega-3 as well as omega-6 fatty acids. But wheat germ oil is also a rich source of vitamin E, boosts the immune system, and stimulates blood circulation. Additionally, wheat germ oil provides an energy boost. Therefore, wheat germ oil in small amounts is also suitable for horses.

• Evening primrose oil: This contains GLA, which is anti-inflammatory and supports the skin. However, evening primrose oil has a blood-thinning effect. So only use it after consulting with a therapist.

If you prefer not to use oil but still want to add a rich source of omega-3 to your horse's diet, opt for dried algae. These are rich in DHA omega-3 fatty acids. The horse then converts part of the DHA into EPA. This is a very suitable, vegan, alternative to oil.

Which oils are not suitable for horses?

You can probably name the oils that are not suitable yourself now. Nevertheless, we have listed them for you. These oils are not suitable for horses because the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is not balanced and it tends to be pro-inflammatory:

• Sunflower oil - contains no omega-3 and a lot of omega-6

• Corn oil - contains too much omega-6 in relation to omega-3

• Soybean oil - not a suitable choice because it disrupts hormones

• Rapeseed oil - Contains too much omega-6 compared to omega-3

• Rice oil - Contains too much omega-6 compared to omega-3

• Non-organic olive oil from countries other than Greece due to a higher risk of contamination

Tip! Be critical of products based on omega oils. These products are often made from oils rich in omega-6, which are pro-inflammatory. These blends often contain soybean oil, a cheap source but often from genetically modified soybeans. So don't just buy the first omega-3 oil you see, but first check the label to see if it contains the right omega oil. Not sure? We are happy to help. You can always contact us for free advice.

Short shelf life

A high-quality vegetable oil has a short shelf life once the bottle is opened. It is also very important to close the cap tightly and store the bottle in a dark and cool place. It is best to work with small bottles and not large five-liter cans. This is because a vegetable oil is only good for three months after opening. This is not the case with salmon and fish oil. These oils retain their quality for longer.