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Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 01/25/2023
Taking inventory of your horse's diet is recommended for all seasons, but especially winter. Why is this? Well, in most areas the winter season means colder climates and harsher conditions. While most horses can tolerate these conditions, some still may struggle with a range of issues, a lot of which we discussed in our last post: 4 Reasons Your Horse May Benefit From Winter Turnout.
Specifically, when it comes to making sure your horse is meeting their nutritional needs, Omega 3’s seem to be a common deficiency seen amongst most horses. There can be a lot of confusion around why horses need Omega 3’s, how to tell if your horse can benefit from them, why they are especially important to implement in the winter season, along with what types are best for horses.
Let’s break this down so you can spend less time worrying about your horse's diet and more time enjoying the winter season with them.
There are two types of Omegas: Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s. Both Omega’s are polyunsaturated fatty acids responsible for carrying crucial nutrients such as vitamin K, D, E, and A. Since these fats are not produced naturally, it’s important to make sure they are present in your horse's everyday diet to assure efficient immune function and proper regulation of the inflammatory response. [2]
The ideal ratio of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s is 1:3 to 1:6. In the modern horse's diet today, the level of Omega 6’s being met are exceeding that ratio whereas Omega 3’s are falling short. Some signs of an Omega 3 deficiency can include hair loss, dull coat, depression, aggressive behavior, weight loss or inability to gain weight, allergies, and skin, joint and hoof issues. [2]
The signs of an Omega 3 deficiency can explain why this would be a more serious issue in the winter season alone. Especially if you have a horse who struggles to keep weight on or an older horse, the winter time can make it even harder for these horses. Sometimes forage isn’t enough depending on the quality and intake, so adding in a quality Omega 3 supplement can make all the difference.
If you have a horse who struggles with arthritis, the colder climates and diminished quality of turnout can sometimes make these conditions worse. Making sure your horse's diet includes enough Omega 3’s will provide your horse with enough added support all while making their mane and coats healthier and improving their mood. Sounds like a no brainer to me!
There are a range of Omega 3’s to choose from, but the most commonly seen include vegetable oil, corn oil, rice bran, flaxseed meal, or chia seeds. An important factor to consider is the Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio in these particular fats. For example, flaxseed oil, chia seed, and fish oil are high in Omega 3. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil are high in Omega 6s. Since a horse's modern day diet tends to exceed the recommended Omega 6 ratio, it’s best to stay away from these types of omegas. [1]
If you’re looking for a sustainable high yielding source of renewable, plant-based nutritionally important Omega fatty acids, delivered in a high antioxidant background you may want to consider Camelina oil. Camelina oil has been proven to give horses the balance they need by aiding horses in healthy weight gain, decrease joint pain and much more. Another benefit of Camelina oil is how palatable and easily digestible these Omega Fatty Acids are. Camelina oil offers 1.2 - 1.6:1 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 along with a far superior shelf life and oxidative stability over other Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
