Omega-3 Benefits in Horses

In a presentation at the recent Veterinary Sport Horse Symposium, Dr. Kyle Newman indicated supplementing horses with omega-3 fatty acids could have a positive effect on their health and endurance during exercise. Among the health benefits were lower blood pressure, inhibition of the cytokines involved in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, improved semen quality in stallions, and positive effects on fetal development.

For horses in a treadmill exercise program, those receiving omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil had lower heart rates than those supplemented with corn oil. The horses fed fish oil also had lower levels of insulin, plasma glucose, and serum cholesterol.