What is the ideal blend of oils?
Feeding the right oils is key to supporting your horse’s energy, health, and performance.
Here’s a breakdown of why a blend of
may be more beneficial than just using flaxseed oil alone.
Omega-6 to Omega-3: Why the Ratio Matters
- Omega-3 fatty acids (like ALA in flaxseed) are anti-inflammatory and support joint, skin, and immune health.
- Omega-6 fatty acids (like LA found in grains and forage) are essential too, but must be balanced with omega-3 for optimal health.
A natural, healthy equine diet often reflects a 2:1 to 5:1 omega-6:omega-3 ratio but typical grain-heavy (high NSC) feeds skew this balance and can lead to inflammation and metabolic issues.
100% Flaxseed Oil: Omega-3 Heavy
- Omega-3 (ALA): ~55–60%
- Omega-6 (LA): ~12–18%
- Approximate 6:3 ratio: ~0.3:1 (ie a lot more omega-3 than omega-6)
Pure flaxseed oil can be helpful for targeted omega-3 boosting but may disrupt balance if used as the sole oil source. Flaxseed oil is useful to balance the high Omaga 6 in grain (high NSC diets) or in pastures with low Omega 3.
Why the blend of Rice Bran, Coconut and Flaxseed oil in Equipower Maintenance works better
Breakdown of the Blend:
1. Rice Bran Oil
- Omega-6: 35–40%
- Omega-3: <1%
- Highly rich in antioxidants like gamma-oryzanol
2. Coconut Oil
- Mostly saturated fats (MCTs)
- Minimal impact on omega ratios
- Boosts digestibility and energy
3. Flaxseed Oil
- Omega-3: 7–8%
- Adds anti-inflammatory support
Approximate Blend Ratio
Balanced 6:3 ratio: of 3.5–4:1 which is very close to natural equine dietary needs
Final Thoughts
While flaxseed oil is a great omega-3 booster, for high grain diets and low Omega 3 pasture, using the balanced oil blend in Equipower Maintenance better mimics a natural equine diet supporting overall health, energy, and performance without tipping nutrient balance.
In short
The rice bran, coconut, flaxseed oil blend is superior to 100% flaxseed oil because it:
- Provides a balanced fatty acid spectrum (omega-3, 6, 9, and MCTs).
- The blended oil provides an Omega 6:Omega 3 ratio of 4:1.
F
- laxseed alone is heavily Omega 3 dominant.
- Improves digestibility, palatability, and energy stability.
- Offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut-protective benefits.
- Reduces risks of rancidity and fatty acid imbalance seen with pure flax oil.
This makes the blend a safer, more versatile, and performance-oriented option for horses across different life stages and workloads.
