The Benefits of Feeding Oil to Horses
- 28 Apr 2022
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Oil is a helpful component to many horses' diets, whether it comes from feed or a bottle. Here, we'll go through the advantages of feeding oil and give you some pointers on how to safely incorporate it into your horse's diet...
Using oil for weight gain
When it comes to calories, oil has a lot to offer. In fact, 300ml of oil contains almost the same amount of energy (calories) as 1 kilogramme of oats. Oil, unlike cereal grains, is starch-free, making it a safe and sympathetic option for horses with laminitis, colic, stomach ulcers, or tying up.
Did you know?
- All oils contain the same amount of energy (calories) – approximately 3.5MJ DE per 100mls
- It can take up to 12 weeks for horses to adapt to utilising a high oil diet
Oil for coat shine
Although oil can work wonders with your horse's coat, there are no substitutes for a balanced diet and plenty of care. As little as 30-50mls per day may be all you require, and at this dosage, the excellent deeds waistline will not be jeopardised!
Maximum feeding rate
As a general rule of thumb horses and ponies on low oil feeds (less than 4%) can be fed up to 100mls of additional oil per 100kg of body weight per day (500mls for a 500kg horse). If your current feed is already high in oil, speak to a nutritionist for advice before adding any oil from a bottle.
Using both oil and vitamin E
Fats are broken down into fatty acids which are prone to oxidation. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which helps to prevent cell damage caused by oxidative stress. For this reason, the total diet should provide an additional 100iu of vitamin E for every 100mls of oil fed. Speak to a nutritionist for advice before feeding more than 100mls of oil per day to ensure your horse’s base diet provides sufficient vitamin E.
High oil feed vs. oil from a bottle - whats the difference?
Adding oil on top of your horse’s current feed can be an easy and cost-effective solution, particularly if feeding small amounts. In larger quantities, oil from a bottle can be a useful way of providing additional calories without increasing meal size. On the flip side, a high oil feed may be a more palatable option and also a more convenient way of providing a balanced diet. The difference in cost between adding larger amounts of oil and switching to a higher oil feed may also be negligible.
4 tips for feeding oil safely
- Introduce any additional oil gradually – approximately 100mls per week as a guide.
- Make sure it’s fresh. Oil can easily go rancid, particularly in hot weather.
- Speak to a nutritionist for advice before feeding more than 100mls oil per day.
- If you are competing, make sure the oil (and any other feeds/ supplements) you use is BETA NOPS approved.
