All oils provide the same level of energy but that doesn't
make all oils the same.
Despite what some manufacturers may imply, whether it's
Canola, Cottonseed, Safflower, Sunflower or Linseed oil being
used, the available energy from all oils is equal.
Trainers and owners of horses in racing and other performance
fields are aware that adding oils to feed provides an additional
or alternative source of energy that is cooler than energy
provided by grains. However, there is little knowledge of
the other important roles oils play in the horse's body and
whether the oil currently being used provides all the available
benefits.
Oils have four main roles, but to realise all the benefits
must be 10-12% of the diet and must have all three elements
of Omega 3.
1. Energy production. Use of oils for energy preserves blood
glucose levels, delaying the onset of fatigue.
2. Storage of fat soluble vitamins. Oils provide an important
store of energy and vitamins A, D, E and K.
3. Formation of hormones. These regulate inflammatory response
and the function of the immune and reproductive systems.
4. Building cell membranes. This takes place throughout
the body and includes skin, coat and blood cells. Oils have
an essential role in making cell walls and membranes flexible,
assisting blood flow! circulation and delivery of oxygen
to muscles.
Performa-3 is not the same as other oils.
Most oils contain Omega 6 and 9 and no Omega 3 and those
that do have Omega 3 generally provide only one of the
three critical fatty acids - linolenic acid. This forces
the horse's metabolism to try and manufacture the other
two elements, eicosopentanoic acid (EPA) and docosohexanoic
acid (DHA).
A highly inefficient process, it is unlikely at the recommended
feeding rates for other oils, that any benefit is derived
for the horse. Omega 3 oils which only contain linolenic
acid would have to be fed at 5 to 10 times the rate, or more,
to match Performa 3 - obviously an expensive and impractical
course.
Oils that do not have correctly balanced Omega 3 and only
provide Omega 6 and 9 can engender inflammatory responses
like laminitis, arthritis and dermatitis and do little for
the immune and reproductive functions.
The richest source of Omega 3, with all three critical fatty
acids, is from deep sea Southern Ocean fish and this combined
with balanced Omega 6 and 9 forms the foundation of the Performa
3 formulation.
Recommended Feeding Rate.
Commence feeding at 25ml-30ml per day and increase gradually
over 10-14 days to 50ml-lOOml per day.
Product sizes. Available in 5lt and 20lt.
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