There are three recognised main systems that supply energy for horses :
- Phosphocreatine system – for very short, explosive efforts.
- Anaerobic glycolysis – using carbohydrate without oxygen for short bursts.
- Aerobic metabolism – using carbohydrates and fats with oxygen for sustained, endurance performance.
Coconut-derived medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) offer an additional, less recognised pathway: ketone metabolism , sometimes called the fourth energy system.
How Coconut Oil Produces Ketones - The Fourth Energy System
- MCTs in coconut oil are digested and absorbed far more quickly than most other fats.
- MCTs are absorbed directly into the portal vein, bypassing the lymphatic system and complex fat digestion steps.
- They move directly to the liver via the portal vein, where they are rapidly converted into ketone bodies: beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetoacetate.
- These ketones can be burned aerobically by muscles, the brain, and the heart producing steady, efficient energy.
- Ketones can be used by muscle cells, the brain, and other tissues as a direct, clean-burning fuel source.
- This bypasses the need to rely solely on glucose or stored glycogen for aerobic work.
Benefits for Aerobic Performance
- Glycogen sparing: Ketones reduce the need to burn stored carbohydrate, extending stamina.
- Lower lactate build-up: More efficient aerobic metabolism means less fatigue from lactic acid.
- Consistent energy supply: Ideal for endurance, trail, and long-duration sport horses.
- Metabolic support: Useful for horses on low-NSC diets, such as those with insulin resistance, PSSM, or prone to tying-up.
Why this matters for horses
Glycogen sparing
- Horses naturally don’t run in deep ketosis like some human athletes, but feeding MCT-rich coconut oil can provide a supplemental, glycogen-sparing energy source.
Ketone utilisation:
- Produces less lactate → delays fatigue.
- Generates more ATP per oxygen molecule than glucose oxidation.
- Helps maintain mental focus and reduce stress during work.
Especially useful for:
- Endurance horses
- Horses with tying-up issues (reduces carbohydrate dependence)
- Insulin-resistant or PSSM horses (low-NSC diets with alternate fuel)
Limitations & considerations
- Horses don’t shift to a fully ketogenic metabolism like humans on low-carb diets, so ketones are more of an adjunct fuel than a total replacement.
- Introduce coconut oil gradually (start ~50–100 mL/day and increase to 200–500 mL/day depending on size and workload).
- Excess fat can reduce forage intake if overfed.
- MCTs don’t provide essential fatty acids, so balance the diet with omega-3 sources (e.g., flax or chia).
Stance souces of coconut derived MCT
Bottom line:
Coconut-derived MCTs give horses a rapid, alternative energy pathway , ketone metabolism , that works alongside the three traditional energy systems.
This can improve endurance, spare glycogen, and provide a low-NSC fuel for metabolic and performance horses.
