The ideal blend of oils for performance horse is based on
- Rice Bran Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Flaxseed Oil
- MCT
A blend of rice bran oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil contained in Equipower Perfromance offers a superior nutritional profile for performance horses compared to single oils like flaxseed or canola. This superiority stems from the synergistic combination of diverse fatty acid profiles, energy sources, antioxidants, and targeted health benefits that address the unique demands of high-performance equine athletes, such as sustained energy, muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and oxidative stress management. Single oils, while beneficial in isolation, often lack this comprehensive balance, leading to incomplete support for intense training, competition, and recovery.
1. Balanced Fatty Acid Profile for Optimal Inflammation Control and Health
Performance horses experience significant oxidative stress and inflammation from exercise, which can impair recovery and longevity. The blend provides a more balanced ratio of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids than single oils, promoting anti-inflammatory effects while avoiding imbalances that could exacerbate issues like joint strain or immune suppression.
- Rice bran oil serves as the base, rich in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, plus gamma-oryzanol (a natural antioxidant and muscle-building compound). It supports muscle development, endurance, and recovery by reducing post-exercise lactic acid and creatine kinase (CK) activity.
- Flaxseed oil adds high levels of omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA), which is anti-inflammatory and supports joint health, immune function, circulation, and coat quality. It enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces oxidative stress severity.
- Coconut oil contributes saturated fats like lauric acid for antimicrobial properties, gut health, and skin soothing, complementing the unsaturated fats from other oils.
- MCT oil is primarily saturated medium-chain fats that are rapidly metabolized, adding to the blend's overall digestibility without disrupting omega balances.
In contrast:
- Single flaxseed oil excels in omega-3 but is low in omega-6/9 and lacks antioxidants like gamma-oryzanol, potentially leading to incomplete muscle support or energy provision.
- Single canola oil offers a decent omega-3:6 ratio (better than corn oil) but is inferior in anti-inflammatory potency compared to flax or blends with rice bran/flax; studies show no superior health markers over flaxseed oil alone in horses.
Blends like
Equipower Performance that combine rice bran, flax, coconut, and MCT provide omega-3, -6, and -9 for holistic benefits, unlike single oils which may skew ratios and require additional supplements.
2. Diverse Energy Sources for Sustained Performance and Recovery
Performance horses need "cool" (non-starchy, low NSC, non glucose) calories to fuel intense work without causing hyperactivity or digestive upset. This blend delivers layered energy: slow-release from rice bran and flax, quick from MCT, and supportive from coconut yielding about 2-3 times more calories per gram than carbohydrates while being highly digestible.
Rice bran provides concentrated, fat-based energy for body condition maintenance and reduced inflammation post-exercise.
MCT offers immediate, non-glucose energy that supports aerobic performance, lowers lactic acid, aids muscle recovery, and enhances endurance which is ideal for high-intensity efforts.
Coconut boosts energy while improving digestion and avoiding issues like colic.
Flax adds cooler calories without bulk, supporting underweight or hard-working horses.
Single oils fall short here: Flax provides energy but not the rapid uptake of MCT, while canola is caloric but lacks MCT's quick metabolism or rice bran's muscle-specific support, potentially leading to slower recovery.
3. Enhanced Antioxidant and Protective Benefits
The blend of oils provides 's antioxidants (e.g., from rice bran's gamma-oryzanol) which combat exercise-induced free radicals better than single oils.
- Reduces muscle damage, CK activity, and lactic acid.
- Supports skin, coat, and immune health holistically.
Flax alone offers some protection but misses rice bran's potency. Canola provides basics but no standout antioxidants.
Balanced Omega 6: Omega 3
- Blended oil: 2.1:1
- Flaxseed Oil: 0.26:1
- Canola Oil: 2.1:1
Comparison and Implications for Performance Horses
- Blend (2.1:1): This ratio is balanced and close to the ideal range for horses (1:1 to 4:1), as recommended in equine nutrition for reducing inflammation while supporting energy and muscle health. The blend leverages flaxseed’s high omega-3 to offset rice bran’s omega-6, while coconut and MCT oils add negligible PUFAs, keeping the ratio stable.
- Flaxseed Oil (0.26:1 or 1:4): Extremely omega-3 heavy, which is excellent for anti-inflammatory effects but may lack sufficient omega-6 for balanced energy metabolism and cell membrane function in performance horses.
- Canola Oil (2.1:1): Matches the blend’s ratio but lacks the additional benefits of rice bran’s gamma-oryzanol, MCT’s rapid energy, or coconut’s gut support, making it less comprehensive for performance needs.
The blend’s ~2.1:1 ratio is ideal for performance horses because:
- Balanced Inflammation Control: It provides enough omega-3 (from flax) to reduce exercise-induced inflammation (e.g., joint stress) while maintaining omega-6 (from rice bran) for energy and muscle function, unlike flaxseed’s overly omega-3-skewed profile.
- Holistic Benefits: The blend combines the anti-inflammatory omega-3s with rice bran’s antioxidants (gamma-oryzanol) and MCT’s quick energy, offering more than canola’s basic ratio.
- Practical for Equine Diets: Horses don’t need extremely low omega-6:3 ratios (like as in flaxseed);
- A balanced 1:1 to 4:1 range supports performance without requiring additional oils to balance, unlike flaxseed alone.
Summary
The multi-faceted blend of oils in Equipower Performance , ie balancing omegas, energy types, and protective compounds outperforms single oils such as flax and canola by meeting the full spectrum of performance needs, reducing reliance on multiple supplements, and promoting long-term health
