11 MYTHS. About Feeding Omega-3 Fish Oil to Horses

Transcription

1 About Wellpride The Company and the Oil Wellpride has been the makers of America s #1 Fresh Fish Oil for Horses since Wellpride fish oil for horses was created by two omega-3 experts, Dr. Bo Martinsen and Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers, along with the support of a veterinarian and researcher consulting team. Wellpride oil has been used by horses on the United States Eventing Team and other top eventing riders, dressage riders, and racehorses around the country, including Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup competitors. Whether you are a competitive horse person or a pleasure rider, a veterinarian, a farrier, a barn manager, or anything in between, we are excited to be a part of improving the wellbeing of your horse. If you would like additional information about fish oil in general, or about Wellpride in particular, please visit Wellpride.com. We are constantly updating our site with articles and blog posts with additional information. 11 MYTHS About Feeding Omega-3 Fish Oil to Horses In addition, if this paper has piqued your interest for fish oil for yourself or loved ones, visit our sister site, Omega3Innovations.com, for more information about the use of fish oil for people and for more about our human products. Have you ever thought about feeding fish oil to your horse(s)? There is a lot of misinformation about fish oil on the Internet, especially on horse-related message boards. Therefore, we wanted to share the truth behind some of the biggest myths regarding this amazing supplement.

2 Myth #1 Horses are herbivores. It s unnatural for them to be consuming fish oil. While most horses don t eat fish, horses in Iceland have been fed salted fish during the winter as a source of protein when forage becomes scarce. And the horses do eat it. But we aren t proposing you feed fish to your horse. The omega-3s come from the oil that is extracted from fish. This oil does not contain any fish protein. We have found that horses will indeed eat fish oil with no problem as long as the source is fresh and not rancid, which is what causes a fish oil to smell fishy. Oxidized fatty acids, whether they are in pellets or oils, can create a fishy smell. Myth #2 Because horses are herbivores, they are better able to process the omega-3s found in plant sources, like flax and chia. The horse s status as an herbivore has no bearing on whether a horse should consume a plant-based source of omega-3s, such as flax and chia, versus a marine-based source of omega-3s, such as fish oil. It s better to look at what equine studies have told us, as well as research with other animal species, since equine studies are limited. The most important thing we know is that the horse s body makes the best use of omega-3s in the long-chain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) forms. The majority of research has concentrated on the role of these two fatty acids in reducing systemic inflammation, as well as their function in the cell. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA fatty acids, along with a number of other types of omega-3. Flax, chia and also camelina, on the other hand, are sources of a different omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha linolenic acid (ALA). For the horse to receive the health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids, the horse must convert the ALA into EPA and DHA. The problem with this is that studies have shown that this conversion rate is very poor (possibly as low as 8-10% for EPA and only 4% for DHA), meaning that very little will actually be converted to EPA and DHA and become usable for the horse. Therefore, in order to experience the benefits of EPA and DHA, it s more cost effective and efficient to consume the readily available forms of these omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming a fish oil product is the easiest way to do this. 1

3 Myth #3 Getting a little omega-3 is better than nothing at all. Many products claim to provide your horse with omega-3 fatty acids. And while they may contain omega-3s, dose is important. The amount of omega-3s must meet a certain threshold dose for a horse to experience benefits. Studies suggest the threshold dose for humans with chronic inflammation is around 2,700 mg of EPA/DHA daily 2, a significantly higher dose than found in many equine omega-3 supplements. While more studies are needed to assess the optimal dose for horses, these studies indicate a minuscule amount of omega-3 will do little for a horse with chronic inflammation issues. Wellpride developed its dose by looking at what research has shown in human and other animal studies, and scaling the amount of EPA and DHA to an appropriate dosage for horses. Co-founders Dr. Bo Martinsen and Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers worked with a number of veterinarians when developing Wellpride to make sure the one-ounce recommended dose of Wellpride oil (with 7,500 mg of EPA/ DHA, as well as 2,000 mg of other omega-3s) would provide an effective amount for horses between 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. For horses with severe inflammation conditions, Wellpride experts recommend a higher dose of two ounces daily. Of course, this dose depends on the size and weight of the horse. Myth #4 Giving your horse a balanced mixture of omega-3 sources (like fish oil combined with flaxseed and chia seed oil) is best. Many equine omega-3 supplements combine a number of oils from fish, flaxseed, and chia seeds into a mix as a means of advertising the benefits of getting a full range of fatty acids. While there is certainly nothing wrong with the tactic of feeding both marine source and plant-based sources of omega-3s, it s important to make sure that your horse is indeed getting enough of the effective EPA and DHA molecules - meaning a full 7,500 mg to 15,000 mg daily. Particularly for owners with a limited budget or who are focusing on the anti-inflammatory benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids, choosing a pure fish oil ensures the horse gets an effective dose of EPA and DHA in a smaller serving size. 1 Hess, Tanja, and Ross-Jones, Trinette. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in horses. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia. Vol. 43, No. 12, Vicosa Dec Martinsen, Bo. An Omega-3 Strategy for Pain Relief. Omega3 Innovations. Nov. 5,

4 Myth #5 Horses don t like fish oil and will refuse to eat it. Myth #7 I already have my horse on so many supplements and products, it doesn t make sense to add fish oil to the mix. Our customers horses would disagree. Even the most finicky of horses have adapted to Wellpride s fish oil thanks to its citrus flavoring and, more importantly, its freshness. The easiest way to feed fish oil is to top dress it on feed. Another way is to administer the daily dose directly in to his mouth with a syringe, if your horse will allow this. The health benefits of omega-3s are numerous. Since fish oil can affect so many systems in the body, this makes it a far superior supplement than many that may only target one area, such as joint health. The health benefits of fish oil supplementation for horses include improvement in: Myth #6 All fish oil smells fishy. While some fish oil products smell fishy, the fishy smell indicates that the product is most likely rancid, meaning it has spoiled. If a product tastes or smells fishy, it probably shouldn t be fed to your horse. Wellpride takes several steps to ensure the freshness of its oil. We start with a high quality, humangrade oil. We also made the decision to only sell Wellpride in a 30-ounce container, as opposed to selling it by the gallon or in larger sizes like some companies do. This is because once the oil has been exposed to air, the omega-3 molecules in any fish oil will start to oxidize, causing the oil to turn rancid with time. Leaving Wellpride fish oil exposed to oxygen, and not storing it in a cool, dark place will shorten its shelf life. While the Wellpride bottle has been designed to reduce exposure to oxygen during the serving process, we recommend that you use all of your Wellpride oil within six to eight weeks of opening the bottle to ensure freshness. Focus Respiratory health Joint health due to the demands of competition and the effects of aging on joints Skin and coat health and the improvement of skin conditions Energy Muscle recovery after exercise and heart rates during exercise Hoof integrity Digestive health Fertility in stallions and mares, foal health, and cognition of yearlings and two-year-olds Myth #8 Horses should be able to get all the omegas they need from feeding on grass. The first thing to remember is that plants provide only ALA, which then must be converted into EPA and DHA. As discussed earlier, it is often easier to provide a source of EPA and DHA directly. Several equine studies have shown that the feeding of ALA did not lead to increases in circulating DHA, only EPA. In comparison, research shows that supplementing horses with a marine-based source led to increased concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma, red blood cells, and muscle tissue4. In addition, it s important to remember that not all grasses are equal and that different diets can affect a horse s omega-3 needs. While the amount of grass a horse consumes can be estimated, it s impossible to measure this exactly to determine what nutrients are consumed. Then there is the added difficulty of determining if the horse is consuming quality grass. If your field is full of weeds and/or the quality of the grass has been compromised, such as in a drought, then this can affect the horse s nutrient intake. In addition, some horses may live in areas that do not have quality pasture, such as in coastal areas where there is more sand, in desert environments, or in areas that get a lot of snow. These cases necessitate an additional forage source be provided. Most horses are then fed hay, which does not have as many omega-3s as high-quality pasture does. 3 Daniells, Stephen. Omega-3 ALA - Overlooked and Misunderstood? NutraIngredients.com. June 26, Omega-3-ALA-overlooked-and-misunderstood 4 Hess, T. M.; Rexford, J. K.; Hansen, D. K.; Harris, M.; Schauermann, N.; Ross, T.; Engle, T. E.; Allen, K. G. D. and Mulligan, C. M Effects of two different dietary sources of long chain omega-3, highly unsaturated fatty acids on incorporation into the plasma, red blood cell, and skeletal muscle in horses. Journal of Animal Science 90:

5 Myth #5 Horses don t like fish oil and will refuse to eat it. Myth #7 I already have my horse on so many supplements and products, it doesn t make sense to add fish oil to the mix. Our customers horses would disagree. Even the most finicky of horses have adapted to Wellpride s fish oil thanks to its citrus flavoring and, more importantly, its freshness. The easiest way to feed fish oil is to top dress it on feed. Another way is to administer the daily dose directly in to his mouth with a syringe, if your horse will allow this. The health benefits of omega-3s are numerous. Since fish oil can affect so many systems in the body, this makes it a far superior supplement than many that may only target one area, such as joint health. The health benefits of fish oil supplementation for horses include improvement in: Myth #6 All fish oil smells fishy. While some fish oil products smell fishy, the fishy smell indicates that the product is most likely rancid, meaning it has spoiled. If a product tastes or smells fishy, it probably shouldn t be fed to your horse. Wellpride takes several steps to ensure the freshness of its oil. We start with a high quality, humangrade oil. We also made the decision to only sell Wellpride in a 30-ounce container, as opposed to selling it by the gallon or in larger sizes like some companies do. This is because once the oil has been exposed to air, the omega-3 molecules in any fish oil will start to oxidize, causing the oil to turn rancid with time. Leaving Wellpride fish oil exposed to oxygen, and not storing it in a cool, dark place will shorten its shelf life. While the Wellpride bottle has been designed to reduce exposure to oxygen during the serving process, we recommend that you use all of your Wellpride oil within six to eight weeks of opening the bottle to ensure freshness. Focus Respiratory health Joint health due to the demands of competition and the effects of aging on joints Skin and coat health and the improvement of skin conditions Energy Muscle recovery after exercise and heart rates during exercise Hoof integrity Digestive health Fertility in stallions and mares, foal health, and cognition of yearlings and two-year-olds Myth #8 Horses should be able to get all the omegas they need from feeding on grass. The first thing to remember is that plants provide only ALA, which then must be converted into EPA and DHA. As discussed earlier, it is often easier to provide a source of EPA and DHA directly. Several equine studies have shown that the feeding of ALA did not lead to increases in circulating DHA, only EPA. In comparison, research shows that supplementing horses with a marine-based source led to increased concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma, red blood cells, and muscle tissue4. In addition, it s important to remember that not all grasses are equal and that different diets can affect a horse s omega-3 needs. While the amount of grass a horse consumes can be estimated, it s impossible to measure this exactly to determine what nutrients are consumed. Then there is the added difficulty of determining if the horse is consuming quality grass. If your field is full of weeds and/or the quality of the grass has been compromised, such as in a drought, then this can affect the horse s nutrient intake. In addition, some horses may live in areas that do not have quality pasture, such as in coastal areas where there is more sand, in desert environments, or in areas that get a lot of snow. These cases necessitate an additional forage source be provided. Most horses are then fed hay, which does not have as many omega-3s as high-quality pasture does. 3 Daniells, Stephen. Omega-3 ALA - Overlooked and Misunderstood? NutraIngredients.com. June 26, Omega-3-ALA-overlooked-and-misunderstood 4 Hess, T. M.; Rexford, J. K.; Hansen, D. K.; Harris, M.; Schauermann, N.; Ross, T.; Engle, T. E.; Allen, K. G. D. and Mulligan, C. M Effects of two different dietary sources of long chain omega-3, highly unsaturated fatty acids on incorporation into the plasma, red blood cell, and skeletal muscle in horses. Journal of Animal Science 90:

6 In addition, it s also important to remember that most horses are given other products in addition to fresh pasture. If corn oil, soybean oil, or other sources of omega-6s have been added to the diet, either directly or in a complete feed, then the horse might require more omega-3s to put the horse s essential fatty acids back into balance and to combat the inflammatory effects of receiving too many omega-6 fatty acids. Myth #9 If the most important thing is to get an effective dose of omega-3, it s best to buy the cheapest source possible. When looking at an omega-3 supplement, it is important to assess its quality to ensure your horse is getting a safe and effective product. The quality of an omega-3 supplement is determined by the source of the oil, its freshness level, how the oil was processed and the dose needed to achieve results per serving size. Consumers can often tell a lot about the quality and freshness of a fish oil product by its taste and smell. If the oil has a strong fishy taste or smell, it is rancid. As another way of assessing the freshness, ask the manufacturer for a certificate of analysis showing the peroxide value (PV) of the oil. The PV number, an indicator of oxidation/rancidity, should always be below 5.0 meq/kg5, although this can be difficult to find. As a general rule, the lower the PV number, the fresher the oil. You should always feel free to talk to the manufacturer about how their product is manufactured and tested. We welcome anyone who is interested in how Wellpride is made to contact us with questions or to read more on our website, Wellpride.com. Myth #10 You shouldn t give fish oil to a horse with metabolic issues. Horses with metabolic issues have a decreased sensitivity to insulin, which is called insulin resistance. Several studies have been done to determine the effects omega-3 supplementation on insulin sensitivity in horses, using fish oil, flax, and algal sources. This indicates that fish oil is safe to feed to these horses. In one study, the disposition index (combined insulin sensitivity and β pancreatic response) increased by 53% in the fish oil group and 48% in the flax-supplemented horses and did not change with time in the control group. Only the fish oil- and flax-treated insulin-resistant horses had an increase in insulin sensitivity, indicating promise in this area6. Because this study was small, additional research is needed. However, since clinical studies with humans and rats reveal similar findings, it is possible that increasing omega-3 intake may be important for horses with metabolic syndrome. 5 Fish Oil Standards/Testing Limits from Leading Organizations & Experts. NordicNaturals. 6 Tanja M. Hess et al. Effects of Ω-3 (n-3) Fatty Acid Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. June 2013 Volume 33, Issue 6, Pages DOI: Myth #11 All these wild claims about fish oil suggest it s just too good to be true. While more research has been done on the benefits of omega-3s for humans, it is estimated that omega-3s are involved in more than 10% of all cellular metabolic actions.omega-3 molecules make up part of the cell membrane and are crucial for cell nutrient and waste exchange. In addition, research has also found that omega-3s factor into the signaling between brain cells. The DHA-EPA Omega-3 Institute, which calls itself the source for objective science-based DHA/EPA Omega-3 Information, states that, DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that is now widely recognized as the physiologicallyessential nutrient in the brain for normal functioning of neural tissue (including cognitive performance, learning ability, memory, etc.) and in the retina of the eye for visual acuity. Omega-3s also help to regulate or balance the body s immune system and act as an attachment system for cell membrane receptors. In addition, with all of the stresses our horses undergo from various lifestyles and diets, many horses do have inflammatory processes that are wreaking havoc inside their bodies. With the proven anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids and their wide variety of functions, it s easy to see why supplementing with fish oil can be so beneficial.

7 In addition, it s also important to remember that most horses are given other products in addition to fresh pasture. If corn oil, soybean oil, or other sources of omega-6s have been added to the diet, either directly or in a complete feed, then the horse might require more omega-3s to put the horse s essential fatty acids back into balance and to combat the inflammatory effects of receiving too many omega-6 fatty acids. Myth #9 If the most important thing is to get an effective dose of omega-3, it s best to buy the cheapest source possible. When looking at an omega-3 supplement, it is important to assess its quality to ensure your horse is getting a safe and effective product. The quality of an omega-3 supplement is determined by the source of the oil, its freshness level, how the oil was processed and the dose needed to achieve results per serving size. Consumers can often tell a lot about the quality and freshness of a fish oil product by its taste and smell. If the oil has a strong fishy taste or smell, it is rancid. As another way of assessing the freshness, ask the manufacturer for a certificate of analysis showing the peroxide value (PV) of the oil. The PV number, an indicator of oxidation/rancidity, should always be below 5.0 meq/kg5, although this can be difficult to find. As a general rule, the lower the PV number, the fresher the oil. You should always feel free to talk to the manufacturer about how their product is manufactured and tested. We welcome anyone who is interested in how Wellpride is made to contact us with questions or to read more on our website, Wellpride.com. Myth #10 You shouldn t give fish oil to a horse with metabolic issues. Horses with metabolic issues have a decreased sensitivity to insulin, which is called insulin resistance. Several studies have been done to determine the effects omega-3 supplementation on insulin sensitivity in horses, using fish oil, flax, and algal sources. This indicates that fish oil is safe to feed to these horses. In one study, the disposition index (combined insulin sensitivity and β pancreatic response) increased by 53% in the fish oil group and 48% in the flax-supplemented horses and did not change with time in the control group. Only the fish oil- and flax-treated insulin-resistant horses had an increase in insulin sensitivity, indicating promise in this area6. Because this study was small, additional research is needed. However, since clinical studies with humans and rats reveal similar findings, it is possible that increasing omega-3 intake may be important for horses with metabolic syndrome. 5 Fish Oil Standards/Testing Limits from Leading Organizations & Experts. NordicNaturals. 6 Tanja M. Hess et al. Effects of Ω-3 (n-3) Fatty Acid Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. June 2013 Volume 33, Issue 6, Pages DOI: Myth #11 All these wild claims about fish oil suggest it s just too good to be true. While more research has been done on the benefits of omega-3s for humans, it is estimated that omega-3s are involved in more than 10% of all cellular metabolic actions.omega-3 molecules make up part of the cell membrane and are crucial for cell nutrient and waste exchange. In addition, research has also found that omega-3s factor into the signaling between brain cells. The DHA-EPA Omega-3 Institute, which calls itself the source for objective science-based DHA/EPA Omega-3 Information, states that, DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that is now widely recognized as the physiologicallyessential nutrient in the brain for normal functioning of neural tissue (including cognitive performance, learning ability, memory, etc.) and in the retina of the eye for visual acuity. Omega-3s also help to regulate or balance the body s immune system and act as an attachment system for cell membrane receptors. In addition, with all of the stresses our horses undergo from various lifestyles and diets, many horses do have inflammatory processes that are wreaking havoc inside their bodies. With the proven anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids and their wide variety of functions, it s easy to see why supplementing with fish oil can be so beneficial.

8 About Wellpride The Company and the Oil Wellpride has been the makers of America s #1 Fresh Fish Oil for Horses since Wellpride fish oil for horses was created by two omega-3 experts, Dr. Bo Martinsen and Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers, along with the support of a veterinarian and researcher consulting team. Wellpride oil has been used by horses on the United States Eventing Team and other top eventing riders, dressage riders, and racehorses around the country, including Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup competitors. Whether you are a competitive horse person or a pleasure rider, a veterinarian, a farrier, a barn manager, or anything in between, we are excited to be a part of improving the wellbeing of your horse. If you would like additional information about fish oil in general, or about Wellpride in particular, please visit Wellpride.com. We are constantly updating our site with articles and blog posts with additional information. 11 MYTHS About Feeding Omega-3 Fish Oil to Horses In addition, if this paper has piqued your interest for fish oil for yourself or loved ones, visit our sister site, Omega3Innovations.com, for more information about the use of fish oil for people and for more about our human products. Have you ever thought about feeding fish oil to your horse(s)? There is a lot of misinformation about fish oil on the Internet, especially on horse-related message boards. Therefore, we wanted to share the truth behind some of the biggest myths regarding this amazing supplement.