Supplementing Linseed Oil to the Horse
Linseed oil is a widely used product that is added to a horse’s diet. The oil is highly versatile, making it suitable for many horses and capable of providing various types of support when used as a supplement. In this blog, we discuss what linseed oil is and how it can be applied to support the horse.
Linseed oil is a widely used product that is added to a horse’s diet. The oil is highly versatile, making it suitable for many horses and capable of providing various types of support when used as a supplement. In this blog, we discuss what linseed oil is and how it can be applied to support the horse.
Fatty Acids in Linseed Oil
Horses obtain most of their energy from carbohydrates and fats. Horse owners commonly use linseed oil as a supplement to provide additional fats, as it is also a plant-based oil.
The reason linseed oil is often chosen over other oils is that it contains an ideal balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids¹. These fatty acids are essential, meaning the horse cannot produce them itself and must obtain them from its diet.
A good balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is important for the horse’s health. An imbalance, where the horse consumes too many omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3, can promote inflammatory responses in the body¹. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can be converted into other essential fatty acids in the body, and both rely on the same enzymes for this conversion². However, when there is a significant excess of omega-6 fatty acids, the conversion of omega-3 fatty acids may be limited, as they compete for the same enzymes and omega-6 fatty acids will be processed first². Fatty acids derived from omega-3 and omega-6 each have different roles in the body: those from omega-6 play a role in inflammatory responses, whereas those from omega-3 have anti-inflammatory functions³. This does not mean omega-6 is unimportant, but rather that the amount and ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for supporting health.
Omega-3 includes several fatty acids, of which alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most well known. Linseed oil is rich in ALA but contains little to no EPA and DHA, which are mainly found in marine derived oils. As mentioned earlier, omega-3 fatty acids can be converted into other fatty acids, and ALA can theoretically be converted into EPA and DHA³. However, in the horse’s body, only a small amount of ALA is converted into EPA and DHA. Studies show that EPA and DHA are primarily responsible for anti-inflammatory effects in the body⁴. Supplementing with linseed oil therefore mainly contributes to maintaining a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, particularly when horses are fed a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids.
Benefits and Forms of Support from Linseed Oil
In addition to providing an ideal balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, linseed oil offers several benefits and supportive effects in the body, largely due to these fatty acids, making it a commonly used feed ingredient.
Horses derive energy from fats, which serve as fuel during exercise. Fats are metabolised slowly and converted into energy gradually, providing a long-lasting and stable energy source⁵. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are metabolised quickly and provide immediate but short-lived energy. Horses that perform intensive exercise have higher energy requirements. The combination of rapidly available energy from carbohydrates and sustained energy from fats is therefore ideal for supporting them during exertion and ensuring sufficient energy supply.
It has also been suggested that providing a long lasting energy source may support horse behaviour and promote calmer behaviour⁶. Because fats are metabolised gradually, they result in fewer peaks in energy and blood sugar levels, which may contribute to more stable behaviour.
Research also shows a link between omega-3 fatty acids and coat quality in horses. Richards et al. (2023) investigated the effect of various plant-based oils, including linseed oil, on coat quality. The study demonstrated that linseed oil has a significantly positive effect on the horse’s coat quality⁷.
Because linseed oil also has a positive effect on skin health, research has been conducted to determine its effect on horses with sweet itch. Sweet itch is a seasonal chronic skin condition caused by an allergic reaction following bites from Culicoides midges. A study showed that supplementing with linseed oil supports the skin, reduces inflammation, and improves overall skin quality⁸.
Furthermore, linseed oil is a suitable feed ingredient for horses with a low body condition score. Due to its high energy content, without added sugar or starch, it helps maintain or increase body weight. For the same reason, linseed oil is often used for horses with increased energy requirements that, for health reasons, need a ration low in sugar and starch.
Finally, research by Sembratowicz et al. (2020) indicates that linseed oil may help reduce oxidative stress. Intensive exercise can lead to an overproduction of free radicals, which cause tissue damage. Linseed oil can help limit these negative effects⁹.
In summary, linseed oil is a versatile product that can be a valuable addition to the diet of many different horses in a variety of ways.
References
(1) Burron, S., Richards, T., Krebs, G., Trevizan, L., Rankovix, A., Hartwig, S., Pearson, W., Ma, D. W. L., Shoveller, A. K. (2024) The Balance of N-6 and n-3 Fatty Acids in Canine, Feline, and Equine Nutrition: Exploring Sources and the Significance of Alpha-Linolenic Acid. Journal of Animal Science, 102: 1–15.
(2) Poli, A.,Agostoni, C., Visioli, F. (2023) Dietary Fatty Acids and Inflammation: Focus on the n-6 Series. Molecular Science, 24(5):1–12.
(3) Calder, P. C. (2005) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Inflammation. Biochemical Society Awards, 33: 423–427.
(4) Manhart, D. R., Scott, B. D., Gibbs, P. G., Coverdale, J. A., Eller, E. M., Honnas, C. M., Hood, D. M. (2009) Markers of Inflammation in Arthritic Horses Fed Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The Professional Animal Scientist, 25(2):155–160.
(5) Warren, L. K., & Vineyard, K. R. (2013). Chapter - 7 Fat and fatty acids. In: Geor, R.J., Harris, P.A., & Coenen, M., (Eds.). Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Saunders Elsevier: China.
(6) Redondo, A. J., Carranza, J., Trigo, P. (2009) Fat Diet Reduces Stress and Intensity of Startle Reaction in Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 118(1–2):69–75.
(7) Richards, T., Burron, S., McCorkell, T. C., Trevizan, L., Patterson, K., Minikhiem, D., Ma, D. W. L., Pearson, W., Shoveller, A. K. (2023) Effects of Dietary Camelina, Flaxseed, and Canola Oil Supplementation on Transepidermal Water Loss, Skin and Coat Health Parameters, and Plasma Prostaglandin E2 , Glycosaminoglycan, and Nitric Oxide Concentrations in Healthy Adult Horses. Journal of Animal Science, 101: 1–9.
(8) O’Neill, W., McKee, S., Clarke, A. F. (2002) Flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Supplementation Associated with Reduced Skin Test Lesional Area in Horses with Culicoides Hypersensitivity. The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 66:272–277.
(9) Sembratowicz, I., Zieba, G., Cholewinska, E., Czech, A. (2020) Effect of Dietary Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on the Redox Status, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Horses’ Blood. Animals, 10: 1-12.
Fatty Acids in Linseed Oil
Horses obtain most of their energy from carbohydrates and fats. Horse owners commonly use linseed oil as a supplement to provide additional fats, as it is also a plant-based oil.
The reason linseed oil is often chosen over other oils is that it contains an ideal balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids¹. These fatty acids are essential, meaning the horse cannot produce them itself and must obtain them from its diet.
A good balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is important for the horse’s health. An imbalance, where the horse consumes too many omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3, can promote inflammatory responses in the body¹. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can be converted into other essential fatty acids in the body, and both rely on the same enzymes for this conversion². However, when there is a significant excess of omega-6 fatty acids, the conversion of omega-3 fatty acids may be limited, as they compete for the same enzymes and omega-6 fatty acids will be processed first². Fatty acids derived from omega-3 and omega-6 each have different roles in the body: those from omega-6 play a role in inflammatory responses, whereas those from omega-3 have anti-inflammatory functions³. This does not mean omega-6 is unimportant, but rather that the amount and ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for supporting health.
Omega-3 includes several fatty acids, of which alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most well known. Linseed oil is rich in ALA but contains little to no EPA and DHA, which are mainly found in marine derived oils. As mentioned earlier, omega-3 fatty acids can be converted into other fatty acids, and ALA can theoretically be converted into EPA and DHA³. However, in the horse’s body, only a small amount of ALA is converted into EPA and DHA. Studies show that EPA and DHA are primarily responsible for anti-inflammatory effects in the body⁴. Supplementing with linseed oil therefore mainly contributes to maintaining a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, particularly when horses are fed a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids.
Benefits and Forms of Support from Linseed Oil
In addition to providing an ideal balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, linseed oil offers several benefits and supportive effects in the body, largely due to these fatty acids, making it a commonly used feed ingredient.
Horses derive energy from fats, which serve as fuel during exercise. Fats are metabolised slowly and converted into energy gradually, providing a long-lasting and stable energy source⁵. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are metabolised quickly and provide immediate but short-lived energy. Horses that perform intensive exercise have higher energy requirements. The combination of rapidly available energy from carbohydrates and sustained energy from fats is therefore ideal for supporting them during exertion and ensuring sufficient energy supply.
It has also been suggested that providing a long lasting energy source may support horse behaviour and promote calmer behaviour⁶. Because fats are metabolised gradually, they result in fewer peaks in energy and blood sugar levels, which may contribute to more stable behaviour.
Research also shows a link between omega-3 fatty acids and coat quality in horses. Richards et al. (2023) investigated the effect of various plant-based oils, including linseed oil, on coat quality. The study demonstrated that linseed oil has a significantly positive effect on the horse’s coat quality⁷.
Because linseed oil also has a positive effect on skin health, research has been conducted to determine its effect on horses with sweet itch. Sweet itch is a seasonal chronic skin condition caused by an allergic reaction following bites from Culicoides midges. A study showed that supplementing with linseed oil supports the skin, reduces inflammation, and improves overall skin quality⁸.
Furthermore, linseed oil is a suitable feed ingredient for horses with a low body condition score. Due to its high energy content, without added sugar or starch, it helps maintain or increase body weight. For the same reason, linseed oil is often used for horses with increased energy requirements that, for health reasons, need a ration low in sugar and starch.
Finally, research by Sembratowicz et al. (2020) indicates that linseed oil may help reduce oxidative stress. Intensive exercise can lead to an overproduction of free radicals, which cause tissue damage. Linseed oil can help limit these negative effects⁹.
In summary, linseed oil is a versatile product that can be a valuable addition to the diet of many different horses in a variety of ways.
References
(1) Burron, S., Richards, T., Krebs, G., Trevizan, L., Rankovix, A., Hartwig, S., Pearson, W., Ma, D. W. L., Shoveller, A. K. (2024) The Balance of N-6 and n-3 Fatty Acids in Canine, Feline, and Equine Nutrition: Exploring Sources and the Significance of Alpha-Linolenic Acid. Journal of Animal Science, 102: 1–15.
(2) Poli, A.,Agostoni, C., Visioli, F. (2023) Dietary Fatty Acids and Inflammation: Focus on the n-6 Series. Molecular Science, 24(5):1–12.
(3) Calder, P. C. (2005) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Inflammation. Biochemical Society Awards, 33: 423–427.
(4) Manhart, D. R., Scott, B. D., Gibbs, P. G., Coverdale, J. A., Eller, E. M., Honnas, C. M., Hood, D. M. (2009) Markers of Inflammation in Arthritic Horses Fed Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The Professional Animal Scientist, 25(2):155–160.
(5) Warren, L. K., & Vineyard, K. R. (2013). Chapter - 7 Fat and fatty acids. In: Geor, R.J., Harris, P.A., & Coenen, M., (Eds.). Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Saunders Elsevier: China.
(6) Redondo, A. J., Carranza, J., Trigo, P. (2009) Fat Diet Reduces Stress and Intensity of Startle Reaction in Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 118(1–2):69–75.
(7) Richards, T., Burron, S., McCorkell, T. C., Trevizan, L., Patterson, K., Minikhiem, D., Ma, D. W. L., Pearson, W., Shoveller, A. K. (2023) Effects of Dietary Camelina, Flaxseed, and Canola Oil Supplementation on Transepidermal Water Loss, Skin and Coat Health Parameters, and Plasma Prostaglandin E2 , Glycosaminoglycan, and Nitric Oxide Concentrations in Healthy Adult Horses. Journal of Animal Science, 101: 1–9.
(8) O’Neill, W., McKee, S., Clarke, A. F. (2002) Flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Supplementation Associated with Reduced Skin Test Lesional Area in Horses with Culicoides Hypersensitivity. The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 66:272–277.
(9) Sembratowicz, I., Zieba, G., Cholewinska, E., Czech, A. (2020) Effect of Dietary Flaxseed Oil Supplementation on the Redox Status, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Horses’ Blood. Animals, 10: 1-12.