OMEGA- 3-FATTY ACID

• Omega 3 oils modulate cell wall flexibility, immune function, inflammatory responses and are a potent source of anti-oxidants
• Clinical investigations in man and animals have demonstrated a reduction in cholesterol, clotting abnormalities and blood pressure.
• Omega 3 oils have been shown to have an important role in the structure and formation of the wall of the red blood cells-conferring upon them increased suppleness and flexibility.
• Omega 3 deficiency is also involved in hoof problems such as shelly feet and in the incidence of allergic skin conditions.
• Other common deficiencies causing poor hoof quality include zinc, methionine and biotin, but if the problem is related to insufficient omega-3 oils in the diet, supplementation is necessary.
• Feeding Omega 3 oils for 6 weeks to horses with Queensland itch led to a reduction in the severity of the itch and inflammation.
• There are also benefits for horses at stud – after 6 weeks on an Omega 3 supplement, mares milk conferred increased immunity and resistance to infection
• For the breeding stallion, a study presented at the Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 2003 showed that raising the intake of specific Omega 3 fatty acids improved the motion characteristics of cooled-stored and frozen-thawed semen.
• Because animals are unable to synthesize omega 3 fatty acids, they must acquire them from the diet.
• Vegetable oils, such as corn and soybean oil, contain high levels of omega 6 fatty acids which favours the incorporation of omega-6 fatty acids over omega-3 fatty acids.
• The tissues of wild horses and wild plants contain higher amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids compared to domesticated or cultivated ones.

Reference
http://www.o3animalhealth.com/benefit.pdf