If you have been looking at Omega supplements either on the shelf at your local tack and feed store or online you will notice that some supplements now also include Omega 9’s in their title and on their packaging. But what are Omega 9’s and do you need to be supplementing your horse with them?

Omega 9’s are a family of fatty acids that share a common final carbon- a carbon double bond in the omega 9 position. While Omega 9’s are essential for horses, dogs and humans, they are considered and classed as ‘non-essential’. Why? The body produces Omega 9’s on its own and it does not need to be supplemented.

Now that you’ve determined what vitamins and minerals are present (or not present) in your forage, you can begin the process of supplementation if needed. The first step is assessing if your horse is getting these vitamins and minerals through their current feeding program. Always read the label and be sure to reach out to the company or consult with an equine professional for clarification if needed.

If your horse is not currently fed anything other than forage, you can now consider adding in grain, a ration balancer, or specific supplements and blends depending on your horse's individual needs. This part can be confusing and quite honestly, a little overwhelming. As long as you put your horse’s age, activity level, health history, and consult with your veterinarian before making any drastic changes, you’ll be more than prepared.

There are many sources of Omega 9. Some of the richest sources of Omega 9 are safflower, sunflower, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, and you guessed it- Camelina oil! Camelina oil averages around 32% omega 9. The difference between Smart Earth Camelina and everyone else is we aren’t sticking Omega 9 directly on our labels, charging you a premium for it and telling you that it’s essential to supplement Omega 9’s.

As long as you are providing your horse or dog with a diet that includes a proper balance of Omega 3/6 you do not need to be adding an additional source of omega 9- It’s simply not necessary to do so. Your furry friend is producing their required Omega 9’s on their own and those products you are seeing cashing in by adding Omega 9’s to their label are a bit misleading. There may be very specific circumstances or individual situations that -do- require Omega 9 supplementation however these are likely to be few and far between. If you're feeding Smart Earth Camelina oil to your horses and dogs you are already getting an ample amount of Omega 9’s without an extra price tag.