Salmon oil for horses
Salmon oil is a well-known nutritional supplement for dogs. But in the horse world, there seems to be still a "taboo" on salmon oil. Because horses are not fish eaters, right? But salmon oil has very positive properties, making it a good addition for horses as well.
Did you know that in Iceland, horses are often fed herring in winter, as this is a good source of proteins and fats? It used to be very common, as a good protein source was hard to come by. So, it is not unusual to feed fish to a horse, however, nowadays fish is not given fresh but in supplement form. More is also known about the benefits of fish oil and why salmon oil is an added value for the horse.
Salmon oil
Essential oil
Omega 3, -6 and -9
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Why should you feed salmon oil to horses?
There are several reasons to give salmon oil. First of all, many horses find it very palatable, making it a healthy treat for the horse. But the main reason is the type of omega-3 fatty acids present in salmon oil which are not (or only minimally) found in most vegetable oils.
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids that horses need:
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Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): plant-based
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Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): mostly found in fatty fish
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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): mostly found in fatty fish
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. This means that the horse needs to acquire them through diet because it cannot produce them in the body. Horses that have access to fresh grass get omega-3 (ALA) this way, the amount of omega-3 in hay is very limited. With the drying of the grass and during storage, hay loses most of its omega-3. For horses on a hay diet, it is important to add omega-3 to the ration. Also, during the winter period when grass intake is limited, adding omega-3 is advisable.
Difference between flaxseed oil and salmon oil
Flaxseed oil contains a lot of omega-3 and is therefore widely used as horse feed. However, it contains (like most other vegetable oils) ALA and almost no EPA and DHA. The body can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but this is very limited. Only 5-10% of the ALA can be converted by the horse into EPA and DHA. And only EPA and DHA can be truly utilized in the body by an animal. Salmon oil, on the other hand, is rich in EPA and DHA, making it readily absorbable for the horse. EPA and DHA are important for bodily anti-inflammatory processes and have positive effects on the neurological and immune system. In addition, DHA fatty acids are also known to support memory psychomotor performance. Research has shown that it has a positive effect on the brain development of foals when given to pregnant mares.
Research on the effect of salmon oil
American research with 13 horses examined the effect of salmon oil on performance and blood values. It was found that the heart rate during training was lower, but also that cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood were lower in horses administered with salmon oil. Researchers concluded based on the results that salmon oil can have a positive effect on horses that are insulin resistant.
Furthermore, another study has shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce constant inflammation during the wound healing process and that omega-3 contributes to becoming less sensitive to infections. Since salmon oil is packed with omega-3, -6, and -9, it is also recommended to stimulate wound healing.
Recommended for sweet itch
The American research found that salmon oil positively influenced the glucose level in the blood. Therefore, it is ideal for horses with insulin resistance. But salmon oil is also recommended for sweet itch, as it would reduce the itching reaction to mosquito bites, resulting in less rubbing.
Conclusion
Salmon oil is a very suitable omega-3 food source for horses. Horses not only find it very tasty, but it also has a therapeutic effect. It is anti-inflammatory and has positive effects on the neurological and immune system. Because salmon oil is rich in EPA and DHA, the horse can use them directly. Therefore, salmon oil is a more efficient omega-3 source than vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil, for example.
Salmon oil is suitable for all horses, but especially for horses with sweet itch or insulin resistance, salmon oil can have a positive effect.
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