Understanding Oils

Current literature has well established the benefits of feeding fats and oils to horse?s, since it was recognized that grain could be replaced with oils up to a level of approximately 10-15% in the diet.  The positive effects of feeding oils to horses include: cool energy, shiny coat, mane and tail, calmer behaviour; and a less dusty feed.  Oils are also used effectively for prevention of metabolic disorders including tying up.  It is important to identify that not all oils are the same, and the metabolic effects of oils vary from very beneficial to extremely harmful depending on the type of oil, how it is processed and how it is fed. This article outlines the various types of oils, along with the good the bad and the ugly sides of oils. Read More

Coconut oil

While the benefits of feeding fats and oils to horses are now widely recognized, a thorough review of the literature will show that saturated oils such as coconut oil are more effective at exerting a positive influence on the horse than the unsaturated oils. Until now, saturated fats have only been available in the unpalatable, unpractical form of animal fat (tallow), and as a result have been virtually ignored in the diet of horses, meaning many of the benefits available from high fat diets have not been achieved.  Coconut oil, a saturated tropical oil, is now available in a user friendly form. Read More

Feeding oils to horses for energy and coat shine

Coconut Oil and Soy Oil are both used as ?cool and safe? sources of concentrated energy and are fed for conditioning, coat shine and weight gain, or to supply extra energy in the diets of hard-working horses. Read More

Feeding for horse health and environmental responsibility

The attraction of trail riding is to ride through remote and natural landscape, which in most cases in National Parks and State Forests.   For the adventurous riders who head-out on extended trails, there is often insufficient herbage along the trails to provide the nutrients required to maintain body weight, and allow the horse to perform the work required.  Therefore, it is necessary to pack in supplementary feed, or have feed drops. Read More