What it is
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the essential omega-3 fatty acid: mammals can't make it, so it must come from the diet [1]. Horses convert some ALA from plant oils to EPA, and to a limited extent to DHA [1].
Sources
Most of a horse's ALA and linoleic acid comes from forage and grain concentrates, and forages generally have a very low omega-6 to omega-3 ratio [1]. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil have long been added to horse diets; fish and algal oils may be refused unless they are deodorised [1].
Requirements and effects
The NRC lists no requirement for ALA, EPA or DHA because of a lack of data, and assumes horses eating enough good-quality forage meet their fatty acid needs. If forage is limited or poor, supplementation may be worth considering [1]. No essential fatty acid deficiency has been reported in horses [1].
Studies report that omega-3 fatty acids may improve mobility and reduce inflammatory markers and lameness; shinier coats from flaxseed are a purported effect [1]. There is no clear ideal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio for horse diets [1].
Sources
- 1. Burron S, Richards T, Krebs G, Trevizan L, Rankovic A, Hartwig S, Pearson W, Ma DWL, Shoveller AK. The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid. Journal of Animal Science 2024;102:skae143. doi:10.1093/jas/skae143 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11161904/ (accessed 2026-11-07)
Last edited 7 Nov 2026, 1:48 am