Fish Oil vs. Canola Oil vs. Flax vs. Rice Bran

[Southern-Exposure]

HELP! There is a debate about corn oil going on in another thread thanks to Smartpak's recent article. I didn't want to hijack that thread, but wanted your insight.

http://askthevet.smartpak.com/equine...rses-corn-oil/

I have my 17y/o OTTB on 6 lbs of purina equine senior, 4oz. of Cool Calories, 3 cups of oil, a purina feed scoop worth of hay cubes and free choice hay. (This is a total which is then divided between feedings) He is being picky about hay, its there for him, but he chooses not to eat it. Its gorgeous hay, there's nothing wrong with it. He has finally given in now that there is 4' of snow covering the grass.

He has put some weight on, but he's been on that regiment since July, and he should be obese by now. Especially considering he is on turnout only, due to an injury. I would like to be able to back him off some of it. I feel like I'm giving him so much!

I am at a loss. He still needs weight and right now he has hit a plateau. :-( Yes, his teeth have been checked, the vet says there is no medical reason he wouldn't be gaining weight, and yes he's on probiotics for his tummy.

So my question to you is this...what is better at putting weight on than corn oil? How much would I have to feed? What is the most cost effective thing to feed? Right now I pay $5.99 for 1 gallon of corn oil.

Rice bran, flax, canola oil, and fish oil? Where do I find flax or fish oil?

[Tegan]

I believe all of the oils (at least the vegetable oils) are fairly similar calorie wise.

I just looked into all this when I put my mare on oil last week. I ended up going with Canola. It's fairly inexpensive, and the Omega 3:6 ratio is 1:2, which is reasonable.

Flax oil is the best, but it is very pricey and hard to store. It has to be refrigerated.

Fish oil is also pricey and has to be refrigerated. I'm not comfortable feeding fish products either. There are several supplements marketed for horses made with fish oil though.

It may be too expensive for 3 cups a day, but Crisco has a Canola oil that is fortified with Omega 3s. It has added algal oil.
http://www.crisco.com/products/details.aspx?groupid=15&prodid=801

Someone posted this link a while ago and I've found it very helpful.
www.prognutrition.com/libraryomega3nutrition.html

[spmoonie]

Have you considered any other underlying health issues?

[ThoroughbredFancy]

My TB, even in great health, (worked regularly, power packed, teeth floated every 6mos, on digestive supplement etc.) requires a bit more groceries than the average horse.

I didn't notice a difference when I was feeding rice bran.

However I did when I started feeding flax (Omega Horseshine).

But all horses are different so you'll have to figure out what works well for your horse. Some horses don't seem to benefit at all from oils while others bloom.

I've used Canola, vegetable and cocosoya oil. I just go with whatever is the most cost effective at the time.

[yellowbritches]

I've had a lot of good luck feeding rice bran (pellets) to several skinny horses. I like it because it isn't nearly the mess that oil is. But oil is cheap, and if a horse will eat it, it is a good thing to add. I usually feed rice bran at about 2 cups a day...which if I remember correctly comes out to about a pound. I think you can feed oil in a few cups a day, too.

I have also fed flax, but that was for skin issues...my horse had zero significant weight gain while on it. And I am using the SmartShine Ultra now, which has both flax and fish oil, but, again, that's for his skin, not for weight gain. My top choices of skinny horse help would be a feed with more fat (Purina Senior is only 5.5%. I would look into something in the 10% or higher range. I have a couple of old guys that had a rough winter last year on Triple Crown Senior. They love it and both went into this winter fat and happy, and are still that way), rice bran and/or oil.

Has he been treated for ulcers? Sometimes even a short course of Ulcerguard or Gastroguard can give them a big boost. What about worms? Might be worth running a fecal. Has he had any blood work done?

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I second the notion of Triple Crown Senior. It's a lot lower in sugars in comparison to Purina Senior if I remember correctly.

[baylady7]

I use Cocosoya which is carried now by KVVet. His coat is so soft and shiny and he is in excellent weight for a coming 23 yo