Fish Oil Equine Injuries

Avoiding equine muscle injuries or quickly treating them are crucial for horse owners. Cod liver fish oil supplements are being used to treat horse injuries related to sports, because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
    • Fish oil may have health benefits for horses

    Speculation

    • It's thought the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help reduce inflammation and help keep a horse's joints lubricated and more resistant to exercise-related injuries.

    Problem

    • Horses do not like the taste of fish oil. It must be powdered and mixed into sweet feed in order for horses to voluntarily eat it.

    Substitutions

    • According to veterinarian Dr. Vicki Glasgow, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in linseed oil, flax oil, canola oil and soybean oil. But cod liver oil has the highest amount.

    Other Benefits

    • Glasgow also reports that other benefits of fish oil include giving the horse more energy for strenuous exercise, shiny coats and higher fertility in stallions.

    Expert Advice

    • According to a USDA-funded study at the University of Michigan, adding fish oil supplements was no substitute for daily strenuous exercise to avoid injuries happening in the first place.