Omega fatty acids have many roles
Omega fatty acids support equine health in many ways. They help balance immune function, protect tendons and joints, reduce respiratory inflammation, support digestive function, and help reduce skin allergies and nervousness. In addition, these fatty acids help maintain overall vitality and alertness.
Fresh grass contains six times more omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids. In dried hay, very little of these fatty acids remains. Many commercial feeds often contain soy or corn oil, which have very high omega-6 levels. The most important omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid—but excessive intake of any single fatty acid can easily lead to an imbalance.
To ensure their horses receive sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, owners typically turn to flax, chia, hemp, or fish oil. However, it’s good to remember that there are several omega-3 fatty acids, and among them there is only one omega-3 that the horse cannot produce on its own and must obtain from the diet: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Alpha-linolenic acid helps alleviate inflammatory symptoms, reduces blood clotting, and helps prevent cardiac arrhythmias. This essential fatty acid is found in plant-based sources such as chia or flax.
Fish oils contain high levels of two omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Although horses do not naturally eat fish, both of these fatty acids have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. They may also benefit muscles under heavy workload. However, fish oil does not contain the important ALA fatty acid that a healthy, thriving horse needs from its diet. With ALA, a horse is also able to produce some DHA and EPA in the body. A horse’s digestive system is designed to process a plant-based diet, and flaxseed, hemp seed, and chia seeds are good supplements to ensure adequate intake of essential fatty acids.
The amount of fatty acids a horse needs varies from horse to horse, but a rough recommendation is that a horse should receive 10–35 g of omega-3 fats per day, depending on the individual. Of this total, the most ideal portion would be about 7 g of EPA/DHA fatty acids.
