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Camelina oil is commonly fed to horses as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. It is used to support weight gain, joint health, coat quality and general well-being.
Camelina oil is extracted from the seeds of the Camelina sativa plant, also known as false flax. It contains 35 – 40% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
Omega-3 fatty acids are generally recognized for their health-promoting properties in both humans and animals. They are considered anti-inflammatory because these fatty acids decrease activation of the immune system.
But is camelina oil the best source of omega-3’s for your horse? Not all omega-3 fats are created equal; ALA must first get converted into other fatty acids including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to be active in the horse’s body.
However, the overall conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is low in horses. Research shows that direct supplementation with EPA or DHA is the more effective option.
There have not been any research studies on camelina oil in horses to examine whether this supplement works. In this article, we will review the research available from other species as well as general research on omega-3 fatty acids to help you determine whether this supplement is appropriate for your horse.
Characteristics of Camelina Oil
Camelina oil is extracted from Camelina sativa oilseeds. This plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family which includes flax, mustard plants, and cabbage among others.
Camelina sativa is native to Northern Europe and Central Asia but is now commonly grown in Europe, Canada and the United States. It has been cultivated by humans for over 3,000 years, both as a food source and for use in oil lamps.
Camelina oil is high in unsaturated fatty acids with 38% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content. ALA is the main omega-3 fatty acid found in plant oils. [23]
Vitamin E Content
Camelina oil also naturally contains vitamin E, which protects the fatty acids from oxidation and improves the shelf life of the product.
100 mL of camelina oil provides 150 IU of natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol).
This is higher than the amount found in flax oil and most other plant oils. It is one of the reasons why camelina oil is less susceptible to going rancid (peroxidation).
However, camelina still provides a relatively low amount of vitamin E. A typical 500 kg (1100 lb) horse should consume a minimum of 500 – 1000 IU per day to avoid deficiency, with optimal supplementation at levels between 2000 – 4000 IU per day.
Mad Barn’s W-3 Oil provides 1,500 IU of natural vitamin E per serving, sufficient to meet the needs of most horses. W-3 Oil also contains 1500 mg of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
Below, we will discuss the advantages of supplementing with DHA compared to ALA from camelina oil.
Fatty Acid Profile
Health Canada provides the following breakdown of fatty acids in camelina oil. [23]
| Type of Fat | % of total fat |
|---|---|
| Saturated fat | 7.9% |
| Monounsaturated fat | |
| Oleic acid (omega-9) | 16.7% |
| Eicosenoic acid | 16.1% |
| Polyunsaturated fat | |
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | 16.9% |
| Linolenic acid (omega-3) | 38.1% |
Based on the above information, the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio of camelina oil is 2.2:1. [23]
Other Active Ingredients
While camelina’s fatty acid profile is mostly ALA, the oil also contains other fatty acid molecules that may have health benefits.
Oxylipins are a large group of lipid mediators found in plants, animals and fungi. This group of molecules may be responsible for some of the beneficial health effects of flax.
Although the oxylipin response has not been investigated with camelina oil, it is possible that these lipid mediators elicit some of the health benefits of camelina. [27][28]
Health Benefits of Camelina Oil
There are no published research studies examining the effects of camelina oil in horses.
Most studies on camelina have been done in humans and rodent models. These have shown several promising benefits including:
- Cholesterol-lowering: 30 grams/day of camelina oil lowered LDL-c (the “bad” cholesterol) by 12% in adults with high cholesterol [24]
- Immune modulation: Diets containing camelina oil decreased inflammatory markers in humans [25]
- Decreases oxidative stress: In people with fatty liver disease, a weight loss program with camelina oil supplementation supported insulin sensitivity and decreased oxidative stress [26]
Although the above studies were conducted in humans, they support the notion that camelina oil has health benefits for specific target groups. Horses may also benefit from feeding camelina oil, but more research is required.
Should you Feed Camelina Oil to your Horse?
Many of the proposed benefits of camelina oil are attributed to the ALA content of the oil. Is camelina the best source of ALA?
As an ALA supplement for horses, flax oil is more cost-effective and provides a higher concentration of this fatty acid.
Camelina oil does have a longer shelf-life, but buying small quantities of ground flax and storing the product in the refrigerator will help you lower the cost of your horse’s feeding program while providing a better nutrient profile.
Feeding Oil to Horses
When deciding which source of oil to add to your horse’s feeding plan, the reasons for feeding oil will dictate the correct answer. For example, are you feeding oil to support weight gain or to address a specific health concern such as joint issues, skin problems, allergies or inflammation?
Oil supplements in general are a great way to add caloric density to the equine diet, particularly for hard keepers or performance horses that require more calories.
Feeding fats reduces reliance on grains and sugars – such as molasses – as energy sources. These high NSC feeds can lead to health issues such as gastric ulcers, hindgut acidosis and increased risk of laminitis.
To add calories to the diet, flax, rice bran, soybean and canola oil are common cost-effective options.
However, as will be discussed in detail below, using an oil high in the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and/or EPA will support anti-inflammatory benefits for joint and respiratory health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Horses
Omega-3’s are essential fatty acids that cannot be made by the body and must be supplied in the diet.
Fatty acids are used as energy sources in cells and to make other molecules. They are a dense source of calories to support exercise, growth and a variety of metabolic processes.
In mammals, fatty acids are found in all tissues within cholesterol, lipids and other fatty substances that make up structures of the cell including the cell membrane. They can be used for a variety of functions including primarily:
- To produce cellular energy (ATP)
- To supply precursors used to make other molecules, including hormones and other fatty acids
Omega-3, 6 & 9
Fatty acids also have other properties determined by their chemical structure, depending on the location of their first double bond within the molecule.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a double bond between their third and fourth carbon atoms. Omega-6’s have a double bond between their sixth and seventh carbon atom. Omega-9’s have a double bond between the ninth and tenth carbons.
You may have heard that omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. While this is largely true, it does not mean that omega-6’s should be completely avoided.
Inflammatory processes are important for fighting off infection and supporting tissue repair. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are needed at appropriate levels and ratios in the diet.
However, many equine diets – particularly high grain diets – contain too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3’s.
Optimal Omega-3:Omega-6 Ratio
What is the ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats in the equine diet? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question as research in horses is limited.
Horses grazing on pasture naturally consume more omega-3’s than omega-6’s. A forage-based diet provides high quantities of ALA, with 55% of the crude fat in fresh grass and 18-35% of fat in hay consisting of ALA.
The fat content of forages is generally low, but because horses consume large amounts in a day, forage provides significant omega-3 fatty acids.
Horses consuming grains or complete feeds tend to have higher levels of omega-6’s in their diet. This imbalance could lead to pro-inflammatory processes in the body.
However, the optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in equine diets is still an active area of research and no ideal ratio has been established.
This ratio has been studied in many other species under different diets and conditions. In monogastric diets (i.e. humans and pigs), the ratio is generally between 1:4 to 1:10. [2][3]
Although this is the typical ratio in diets, it does not imply that this is the optimal ratio. The ideal ratio to achieve in the body through diet depends on the outcome desired, which tissue is of concern and the physiological state of the animal. [2]
Is the Ratio Important?
The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in the diet is important when dealing with inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and respiratory issues.
However, increasing the ratio by adding more ALA to your horse’s diet in the form of camelina oil, may not support anti-inflammatory benefits. This is because ALA