Oils are a great way to provide omegas in the diet and support our horse’s condition. But, did you know that not all types of oil provide the same benefits to our horses?
Types of oil
There are several different types of oil that people may choose to feed to their horses. These may include but are not limited to:
- Linseed or flaxseed oil
- Wheat oil
- Rapeseed oil
- Vegetable oil
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Olive oil
Just like all types of ingredients can differ in quality and bioavailability, so can oil. So, what kind is best for your horse and why?
The differences
We choose to feed oil because of its high omega content. Omegas are polyunsaturated fats that the body can’t produce and must therefore be provided by the diet. Essential for health, they support various bodily functions such as inflammation.
The two most important omegas are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and should be provided in an omega 3:6 ratio of over 4:1. This ratio is different in every type of oil, meaning that some are unbalanced and don’t contain the most appropriate omega levels needed to support good health.
For example, linseed oil contains the correct ratio of omegas at 4:1. Comparatively, sunflower oil, a common choice, contains no omega 3 whatsoever and high levels of omega 6.
Other factors that can influence the type of oil we choose can include price, palatability, and availability.
Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages of commonly fed oils:
Pure Linseed Oil
+ highly palatable
+ highest in Omega 3 (53g/100ml of oil)
+ low in Omega 6 (13g/100ml of oil)
+ Omega 3:6 ratio of over 4:1
+ provides a small amount of Vitamin E
Wheat Oil
+ palatable
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+ cheap (very cheap as a raw material so should be cheap as a finished product)
– low in Omega 3 (7g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (55g/100ml of oil)
Oat Oil
+ palatable
+ some Vitamin E & K
+ cheap (very cheap as a raw material so should be cheap as a finished product)
– low in Omega 3 (2g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (39g/100ml of oil)
Corn Oil
+ very cheap
+ reasonably palatable
+ widely available in supermarkets
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– highly processed
– very low in Omega 3 (1g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (54g/100ml of oil)
Rapeseed Oil
+ cheap
– low level of Omega 3 (9g/100ml of oil)
– moderate amount of Omega 6 (20g/100ml of oil)
Coconut Oil
+ palatable
+ low Omega 6 (2g/100ml of oil)
+ low in polyunsaturated fat
– very very high in saturated fat
– no Omega 3
– provides almost no vitamins
Rice Bran Oil
+ palatable
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– low Omega 3 (2g/100ml of oil)
– very high Omega 6 (33g/100ml of oil)
Soya Oil
+palatable
+provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+provides some Omega 3 (7g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (50g/100ml of oil)
Sunflower Oil
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+ cheap
– NO Omega 3
– very high Omega 6 (66g/100ml of oil)
Olive Oil
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– low in Omega 3 (1g/100ml of oil)
– high in Omega 6 (10g/100ml of oil)
It’s clear from this list that linseed (also known as flaxseed) is by far the most beneficial type of oil to feed to our horses, because it contains the correct levels of omega 3 and omega 6.
Linseed oil
Linseed oil is produced by cold pressing whole linseed to produce a pure linseed oil. High in beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, it supports general health and is ideal for a healthy coat, skin, and gaining condition in a safe way.
Linseed oil is also a concentrated source of energy so it’s very effective as an energy source for horses in hard work such as racehorses, or horses that are poor doers or do not like large feeds. In general half a scoop of oil would contain the same amount of energy as a full scoop of concentrates.
Balancing oil with vitamin E
If you’re feeding oil, it should always be balanced with 1 unit of vitamin E per ml of oil. This is because fatty acids, which are provided by the oil, are prone to oxidation. Oxidised byproducts can cause cell damage, so providing additional antioxidants in the form of vitamin E can offset these effects and help to protect cells from the damage caused by oxidation.
Take away
When choosing to supplement our horses diets with oil, it’s important to consider which type of oil is best for your horse. Whilst humans can benefit from several different types of oil, such as olive oil, the most beneficial and effective type for horses is definitely linseed.
Science Supplements Pure Linseed is the only linseed available that has the correct amount of Vitamin E added to achieve 1 unit of Vitamin E per ml of oil, as recommended by equine nutritionists. Find out more here.
Written by Anna Jones BSc (Hons) Equine Science