While itâs been proven that Omega Fatty Acids can help support many common conditions in our equine companions, sorting out which one to choose for your horse can be taxing. The research has been supportive of using Omegas in conditions such as respiratory ailments, immune issues, reproductive difficulties, structural function, skin, coat and hair health, and even cognitive function.
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Research has been supportive of using Omegas in conditions such as respiratory ailments, immune issues, reproductive difficulties, structural function, skin, coat and hair health, and even cognitive function in horses.
Large amounts of research have been published on these effects in human medicine and, while some of this information can be translated to the horse, not all of it can.
Itâs important to note the difference in Omega-3 vs. Omega-6 when evaluating equine supplements and feeds. Most commercial feeds and many supplements carry a hefty volume of Omega-6 fatty acids because of their cost effectiveness and availability.
While Omega-6 fatty acids will provide many health benefits, they donât prove beneficial for common equine respiratory, immune or reproductive ailments and, in many cases, can perpetuate them.
Horses and dogs do not possess the ability to effectively transform Omega-6 fatty acids into Omega-3 fatty acids in enough volume to provide the health benefits we seek. Due to this, supplementation has become the most effective way to ensure your horse receives the Omega-3s they need.
Research has shown docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to be the most beneficial of the Omega-3s for common conditions like chronic respiratory ailments and cognitive health as well as reproductive and immune deficiencies.
There are several, commonly cited, equine specific studies have utilized a concentrated source of superior quality DHA. Arenus®, a research-based, equine nutraceutical company, provided the exact supplements for these studies and offers each on a commercially available basis. Aleira® and Releira® utilize the very DHA found in infant formula and are the only products on the market that contain this concentrated, all-vegetarian, fish-oil-free source of DHA.
Purdue University utilized Aleira® in its commercially available form to evaluate the use of an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement to manage chronic respiratory disease in horses. This study showed significant improvement in both clinical and VAS cough scores in horses with chronic recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) [1].
Auburn University utilized Releira® in its commercially available form to evaluate difficult to breed mares in two studies. These studies evaluated inflammatory responses with both natural service and frozen semen along with pregnancy rates and showed significant improvement in all categories [2][3].
University of Florida utilized Releira® in its commercially available form to evaluate DHA transfer from mare to foal and effects of mare DHA supplementation on foal cognition which all showed significantly favorable results [4][5][6][7].
When youâre evaluating your Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplement purchase, why not purchase the very same, patent-pending products utilized in the research that other products cite? Accept no imitations!
References:
[1] Nogradi N, Couetil LL, Messick J, Stochelski MA, Burgess JA. Evaluation of an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Containing Feed Supplement in the Management of Horses with Chronic Lower Airway Inflammatory Diseases. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 299-306.
[2] Brendemuehl JP, Altman J, Kopp K. Post-breeding Inflammatory Response is Reduced and Per Cycle Pregnancy Rates Increased by Oral Supplementation of N-3 Fatty Acids in Thoroughbred Mares Bred by Natural Service. Equine Vet Journ. In Press.
[3] Brendemuehl JP, Altman J, Kopp K. Influence of dietary algal N-3 fatty acids on breeding induced inflammation and endometrial cytokine expression in mares bred with frozen semen. J Equine Vet Sci. 2014; 34(1):123-124.
[4] Adkin AM, Warren LK, McCall CA. Effect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on behavior and cognitive development in nursing foals. J Equine Vet Sci. 2013; 33(5):363.
[5] Adkin AM, Warren LK, Mortensen CJ. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on early postpartum mare reproductive function. J Equine Vet Sci. 2013; 33: 371.
[6] Hansen TL, Adkin AM, Warren LK. Effect of early exposure to maternal docosahexaenoic acid on memory and cognition in weaned foals. J Equine Vet Sci. 2013; 33: 364.
[7] Adkin AM, Muniz AV, Mortensen CJ, Warren LK. Maternal fatty acid supplementation influences memory and learning ability in yearling and 2-year-old horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 2015; 35: 419.
About Arenus
Arenus has been a leader in the animal health products industry since 2007 and offers research backed, health solutions for companion animals as well as competitive animal athletes. Their Assure System digestive conditioning line has been a staple in the equine industry since its launch and they have since added proven solutions for equine structural support, respiratory, immune and reproductive health to their line. Arenus also offers a complete line of herbal health solutions and ceramic therapies for both companion and competitive animals. For more information on Arenus, visit www.arenus.com