Added Fat Improves Horse Behaviour
Diet affects behaviour. This makes sense. A wellfed horse is healthy. And a healthy horse feels good. Conversely a poorlynourished horse is suffering. A variation in hormone levels for example can have a temporary effect on how the horse sees the world. Just as reaction to sugar intake varies in humans so it does in horses. Horses may feel ill or off from an overindulgence in sugarstarch and they certainly have been reported to exhibit sugar highs and lows caused by the sudden surge and subsequent drop in blood glucose from a high carbohydrate sugar starch meal. Although there is in fact little scientific evidence that proves a sugarstarchdriven behavioural component many horse owners will attest to their own horses showing adverse behavioural responses and will therefore avoid feeding anything that contains starchy cereal grains or is sweetened with molasses.
The Answer is Fat
Gram for gram fat provides more than double the calories of carbohydrates or protein. And it is well digested. But theres an added bonus Fat has a calming effect on horses behaviour.
you have a sensitive horse who may become easily excited by everyday activities. Please note Ponies minis donkeys and mules should not receive high fat diets.
All fat has the same number of calories regardless of the source. But from a health perspective it is best to steer clear of animal fats as well as oils that have too many omega 6s which increase inflammation in relation to omega 3s which have an antiinflammatory effect. Oils high in monounsaturated fatty acids are a good source since they neither increase nor decrease inflammation.
Below are some commonly fed fat sources
Ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil Has a 41 ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s making it an ideal choice