This is from the KER website. Perhaps they need to consult their own researchers? (LOL) https://ker.com/equinews/answer/qa-omega-3s-plant-based-marine-derived-best/
1 Like
I do feed 100mL per day, split into 2 feedings. I have a little tiny kitchen measuring cup I use for it. It does look like a lot, but my horse gets about 3 handfuls of Triple Crown Senior and it mixes right in and doesn’t leave a mess in the bottom of the bucket.
@Janet, here’s a link to a NIH study showing that marine source omega-3’s (DHA and EPA) were more beneficial than omega-3’s in the form of LNA (plants) because LNAs need to be converted to EPA to be used, and the conversion is not efficient. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1825498/ It specifically discusses DHA from fish oils and states that LNAs were the only vegetarian source of omega-3’s, which has later been identified as false; seaweed and other sea plants are a vegetarian source of DHA.
1 Like
Thank you! I’m stating slowly, but it actually didn’t look like as much as I anticipated. Fingers crossed mine is n= 2 with results like yours.
I am not disagreeing at all.
The talk was on equine nutrition in general, with a focus on ponies. Most of the talk was on how to get them enough vitamins and minerals without too many calories, on the importance of forage, and on the causes and prevention of hind gut acidosis. The part on Omege-3s came up to a question from the audience, after we were well over our originally allotted time- so she was trying to be brief. Apparently she thought, at least for THIS audience, and with limited time, that the Omega-3/Omega-6 balance, was more relevant than bioavailability.
2 Likes
So…I have the boxed wine container. Mine won’t eat it in food and it makes a huge mess the way I’m doing it. First I tried using the boxed wine nozzle into a syringe. That got oil everywhere. Then I tried pouring the W3 oil into one of those squirt bottles one pots ketchup in and putting it into the syringe that way. That went significantly better but I still wind up w oil all over my hands and then everywhere else. Does anyone have a suggestion to make this neater? It’s just so … oily. Thank you!
Hi! Did you have any difficultly getting your pony to eat this initially. It doesn’t require quite such a large volume so it may not be as messy…AND maybe mine would like Contribute w the cherry flavoring. Thank you for any insight.
You may be surprised. Mine will slurp it up if I make her soup too soupy and the oil pools on top when I add it. There is some sort of magic flavouring and scent in W3. (Which they should add to some of their less palatable supplements like Visceral and Amino Trace too!)
No! I’ve had at least 4 horses on it now and each of them took to it immediately. It smells amazing so I don’t blame them lol
Thank you very, very much.
I’m using CocoOmega from Uckele which contains fish oil. Pretty palatable. My BO hates oils especially coming up on winter.
1 Like
I am always on the fence about feeding Omega-3 supplements to my Cushings mare. She is just such an extremely easy keeper that I worry any additional fat will do her more damage than the Omega-3s will help. So many Omega-3 supplements are even recommended for weight gain, which we need no help with! Any thoughts on high-quality omega-3 supps that WON’T turn her into The Michelin Pony?
2 Likes
Here is a pelleted Fish Oil supplement. Yes, pricey but I am going to try it after I finish up the Smartpak Fish oil meal I have been feeding. You can at least get a Taste sample. Smartpak has this https://www.smartpakequine.com/ps/smartomega-3-and-e-ultra-14436.
Yes they are not 100% fish oil but trust me, the fish oil is in there. I would like to try the pellets.
The Smartpak meal tends to stick in the corners of her feeder…it is ‘moist’ so kind of clumps up in the corners. I have to do baggies so I cannot use the liquid oil. I did try one of the oils earlier in the year. I figured I would feed it to her on my barn days (5 days/week). Oh my, she wouldn’t touch it. I gave it to my BO who feeds some liquid and then found the Smartpak stuff which she readily eats. I will try the Stride sample then decide which I will get.
Susan
Chia seeds are often recommended for those types, but I think you’d be fine with the fish oil being discussed here, too. I understand the fear though, in my mind I connect supplemental oils with horses that need weight. With my mare, she is definitely fat, but really a lot of it is inflammation. Omega 3s are important in order to fight that inflammation.
1 Like
I just ordered Contribute. Shipping from KPP was almost $23.00!!! Heartland Veterinary Supply offers it cheaper and shipping was $8.00, so I bought it from them. I hope this is helpful to someone.
For what it’s worth, mine is also an easy keeper- gets 3 handfuls of grain to mix the supplements into, otherwise he could meet his calorie requirements off of grass and air. He has not changed in weight by adding oil. He did change weight by not being ridden for more than 20 minutes a week for 2 months, but with more typical exercise, he hung out at a BCS of 5.
1 Like
Thank you to all who are contributing to this thread.
Oh yes! I always order from Heartland. They typically have a 10-15% off coupon code too.
1 Like
EO3 from KER has a much lower feeding rate, 30 mL compared to 100. I feed 30 mL to my very easy keeper Fjord without any issue. 30 mL is about 270 calories, so to a horse that’s really nothing. It also has much more DHA and EPA than any of the vegetable sources.
2 Likes
I tried EO3- for mine, it was a giant nope. He is eating the Mad Barn, but I am still going to try the Contribute due to the lower dose.
Have you tried it recently? Now that it’s minty apple flavour and not cherry? That made a big difference for my guys.
1 Like
