The balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 in a horse's diet is very important. Both nutrients have important functions within the body, and balancing the two is imperative in order for them to function appropriately. Because horses are herbivores and grazers, their bodies are naturally inclined to having a higher level of Omega-3 compared to Omega-6. Their Omega-3 intake comes from the small quantities of fat in their forage and their Omega-6 comes from the fats found in the oil of their grain rations.
To date, there has not been a recommended ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 that has been documented for horses. It is believed, however, that a ratio ranging from 2:1 to 5:1 Omega-3 to Omega-6 is optimal for a horse's health.
Omega-3 supplementation in a horse's diet has been shown to:
Improve the quality of their skin and hair coat
Decrease joint pain in horses that suffer from arthritis
Improve bone structure
Help prevent ulcers
Help with allergic hyperactivity
Have anti-inflammatory effects
Camelina and Vitamin E
Camelina has a high level of natural anti-oxidants in the form of Vitamin E. Vitamin E can be broken down into its chemical components called tocopherols. The following is the breakdown of Camelina Oil into its different tocopherol components:
Alpha-tocopherol: 30 – 40 mg/kg
Gamma –tocopherol: 720 – 740 mg/kg
Delta-tocopherol: 10 – 20 mg/kg
Of these tocopherols, gamma has the strongest anti-oxidant effects in polyunsaturated oils such as Camelina Oil. Typically, the more unsaturated the oil, the more prone it is to oxidation, hence a shorter shelf life. However, the high concentration of the gamma-tocopherol in camelina improves the oil's stability in comparison to other oils with similar levels of unsaturated fatty acids, improving its shelf life.