Omega 3 for Horses: What, Why, How?
‘Omega 3’ is a term used to describe a group of fatty acids that cannot be made by an animal. They are therefore classified as essential fatty acids because they must be consumed in the diet. There are three ‘Omega 3’ fatty acids; the ‘short chain’ alpha-linoleic acid (derived from plants) and the ‘long chain’ eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaeonic acid (DHA) (available almost exclusively from oily fish). Alpha-linoleic acid is the only form of Omega 3 present in a horse’s natural diet. This form of Omega 3 can be transformed (elongated) into EPA and DHA via a metabolic pathway in the horse’s body. EPA and DHA are the two biologically active forms of Omega 3.