The horse’s body needs good fatty acids
Fatty acids and omegas are talked about a lot, but there are many difficult names and terms associated with them. This text explains different fatty acids, their use, and what they mean.
Briefly about fatty acids: there are around 20 different fatty acids, and they are classified by the length of the molecule—that is, the number of carbon atoms in the chain—into short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids. The fatty acids found in “soft” fats are chemically polyunsaturated or, simply, saturated. These unsaturated fatty acids are divided into four fatty acid families: omega-3, -6, -7, and -9 fatty acids. Of these, the body can produce omega-7 and -9 fatty acids itself, but omega-3 and -6 fatty acids must be obtained from the diet, which is why they are called essential fatty acids.
The most important omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid, and the most important omega-3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid. All oils are broken down in the horse’s body in one way or another. Omega-6 is broken down into arachidonic acid, and omega-3 into EPA and DHA. Excessive intake of a single specific fatty acid easily leads to an imbalance of fatty acids and, through that, a disrupted physiological state—so the ratios between different fatty acids matter. A distorted fatty acid balance can interfere with the body’s optimal functioning and lead, for example, to reduced immune resistance, increased inflammatory activity, a hyperactive immune system (e.g., worsening symptoms of summer eczema), reduced fertility, or a dull coat and skin.
Especially omega-3 fatty acids have, among other things, an anti-inflammatory effect on immune function and general health, but according to newer research, a high linoleic acid concentration in blood serum also dampens inflammatory reactions in the body.
Omega fatty acids support health
Omega fatty acids promote equine health in many ways. They affect enzyme function and participate in the transport of substances in the bloodstream, and they make cell membranes flexible and permeable to molecules. They have a positive effect on the horse’s immune defense and overall health. Omega fatty acids have effects that, among other things, improve coat condition, reduce inflammation, and support the health of mucous membranes, and they have therefore been suggested to ease, for example, respiratory infections and reactions to insect bites in horses. In addition, they balance immune system function, support tendon and joint health, aid digestive function, reduce nervousness, and help maintain alertness and energy levels.
Oils increase the energy density of the diet
Essential fatty acids are best obtained from “soft” fats, especially plant oils. These include rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, linseed (flaxseed) oil, chia oil, and hemp oil.
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Different plant oils increase the energy density of the diet, as they contain three times more energy than grains. By replacing part of the concentrate ration with plant oil, it is possible to reduce the amount of concentrates and, at the same time, the proportion of carbohydrates, while still keeping energy intake at a normal level. At the same time, the risk of laminitis, muscle problems, colic, and overexcitability caused by feeding starch is also reduced. By reducing the proportion of concentrates, the proportion of forage in the diet can also be increased, which improves gut wellbeing and reduces, for example, the risk of gastric ulcers caused by insufficient forage intake. When feeding oils, it should be remembered that their use increases the horse’s need for vitamin E.
Plant oils are an effective addition to the horse’s diet
In the past, it was thought that because the horse has no gallbladder, it would not be able to utilize fat in its diet. However, several studies have shown that horses can utilize fat very effectively. Fats are absorbed in the small intestine, where digestive enzymes and bile are responsible for their breakdown. In horses, bile is secreted continuously from the liver in small amounts. The enzyme that breaks down starch is not produced in sufficient quantities in the small intestine, which is why horses digest starch relatively poorly. In contrast, fats are digested well, and the end products—fatty acids and glycerol—are efficiently absorbed from the small intestine.
The digestibility of plant fats is about 90%, while that of animal fats is about 75%. Oils have many effects on equine physiology. When fed to sport horses already during the training season, the body adapts to using oil as an energy source. This improves the use of fat during aerobic exercise and keeps blood glucose levels elevated for longer. Oil also spares muscle and liver glycogen stores during short-term, intense exertion, delaying muscle fatigue. To achieve these benefits, however, the horse’s enzyme activity must have adapted to utilizing oils over several months—so it is not advisable to make major dietary changes in the middle of the competition season. Even with oil feeding, it is important to ensure sufficient carbohydrate intake so that glycogen stores can be replenished.
In broodmares, fat supplementation increases the fat content of milk, which in turn promotes foal growth. The use of oils also has positive effects in feeding growing foals, as good fats help maintain hormones that regulate skeletal growth.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in large amounts in fish and fish oils in addition to plant oils, but for horses we recommend using purely plant-based fats, since horses are not naturally fish-eaters. Dogs are omnivores, and for them fish oils can be well suited alongside plant oils.
Different omegas in different feeds
Fresh grass contains omega-3 fatty acids (4–6%) in multiples compared to omega-6 fatty acids. If a horse grazes around the clock, additional omega fatty acids are usually not needed. In dry hay, most omega fatty acids are lost, and the same also happens to vitamin E.
The amount of fatty acids a horse needs varies individually, but a rough recommendation is that a horse should receive omega-3 fats at 10–35 g per day depending on the horse.
It is therefore important for horse owners to know what omega fatty acids their horse receives from hay and concentrates. Many industrially produced feeds often contain soy or corn oil, which have very high omega-6 levels. Likewise, concentrate feeds based on grains often contain sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, soy oil, or corn oil. These also contain a lot of omega-6 fatty acids and only small amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids that are important for the body. It is therefore important to pay attention to the omega fatty acid ratio in concentrates.
