Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (oils) play a very important role within the equine diet and
balancing these essential oils is paramount to optimal digestive health. An imbalance
of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids or an inadequate amount of Omega 3 can affect your
horse’s temperament.
Omega 3 is the most important of these fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory
properties, therefore helping to reduce pain. Omega 3 oils have been shown to have
an important role in the structure and formation of the wall of red blood cells and
deficiencies in this oil can lead to hoof problems and allergic skin conditions. Omega
3 fatty acid is commonly found in linseed and soybean oils and it is very important to
ensure the correct level in the horse’s diet, especially in competition and performance
horses, where oxygen transportation can be improved by the structure of the red blood
cells.
Omega 6 is also very important to the equine diet and is most commonly found in
corn, primrose and sunflower oils. Omega 6 helps maintain a healthy immune system
and is a pro-inflammatory, hence why these fatty acids need to be fed at a balanced
level.
It takes approximately 30 – 90 days until the benefits of feeding these essential fatty
acids can be seen, but once your horse has a balanced diet with the correct levels of
Omega 3 to 6 oils they will have an improved immune system, shown by a glossy
coat and their over-all health and well-being.
Current research shows that the correct ratio of Omega 3 to 6 oils is around 5:1.
Feeding a balancer with the correct, balanced level of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids such
as one from the Blue Chip range is the easiest way to ensure your horse or pony is
getting everything they need on a daily basis to ensure a nutritionally balanced diet.
The Blue Chip range of balancers include Blue Chip Lami-light, the diet feed balancer
for overweight, laminitis prone horses and ponies or good-doers. Lami-light ensures
a nutritionally balanced diet without the worry of unwanted weight gain. Blue Chip
Original is ideal for horses and ponies in light to medium work and can help to
improve condition and topline. Blue Chip Pro is the performance feed balancer for
the competition horse or pony or veterans which have a higher nutritional requirement
in their diet. Pro includes a blood building formula that aids oxygen transportation
and a prebiotic for optimum gut health.
All the balancers in the Blue Chip range are whole-cereal and molasses free and
contain an EU approved probiotic along with the revolutionary new ingredient
Nucleotides. Blue Chip are the first horse feed company to include Nucleotides,
which are the building blocks for DNA and RNA and are essential components of the
equine diet.
The post The Role of Omega 3 and 6 In The Horse’s Diet appeared first on Blue Chip Feed | Horse Supplements & Horse Feed Balancers.