Last Updated on March 15, 2022 by Allison Price
A horse’s natural diet features minimal fat. The majority of forage has only 2 to 3 percent fat, while cereals have a maximum of 5 percent fat. Linseed oil can be a hugely beneficial fat for our horses.
Linseed Oil Is Easy To Digest
Linseed oil provides more energy than cereal feeds because it is easier to digest, and less likely to cause digestive disturbances. Horses who work hard or animals with poor digestion, poor appetites, or poor doers can have difficulty consuming large amounts of cereal-based feeds. A diet rich in linseed oil may help horses to manage their nutrition.
Simply put, horses can get more energy from linseed oils than they can from cereals. Oil is a great choice for horses who are susceptible to colic, laminitis and other skin conditions such as Sweet-Itch, tying up, colic, Sweetener, Sweet-Itch, and tying-up. Linseed oil has been shown to improve joint health in scientific studies.
Linseed oil is high in fatty acids
Linseed oil has high levels of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are not produced by horses, so they must be obtained through their diet. Horses have a high level of omega 6, which they can obtain from grains. However, their diets are usually low in omega 3, fatty acids. These essential building blocks are vital for hormones that control immune function, blood clotting and cell growth. They can also have an impact on skin and coat condition.
Linseed Oil Addresses Omega 3 Deficits
Humans tend to eat less omega 3 fatty acids. This has been linked with an increase in heart disease, cancer, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Hyperactivity and obesity may be related to an imbalance of omega 3 and 6. These issues are all linked to inflammation. Cell inflammation can be reduced by consuming the right amount of omega 3 or omega 6.
Linseed oil and The Balanced Diet
There are many health benefits to having a healthy balance of omega 3 & omega 6, including the reduction of inflammation and severity of skin conditions. Linseed, which is the most common oil for horses, has the lowest amount of omega 3 and highest level of omega 6. This makes it a great choice to balance an animal’s nutrition because it contains the omega 6 found in cereals.
Make sure you get the right Linseed Oil and store it correctly
Linseed oil can offer many benefits to horses with skin conditions, laminitis and colic. Choose a linseed product that has not been heated, as heat processing can destroy many of the oils nutrients. Begin to introduce the oil slowly for two weeks while reducing the cereal feed. Keep the oil cool and dark to keep it from going rancid.
