Soya Oil, Linseed Oil, Cod Liver Oil....?????

[SarahC]

Hi guys,

Was just wondering about adding a bit of oil to my girls feed. As you may (or may not) know, I've been trying to get a bit of extra sparkle/stamina from her and having looked at changing feed, I've now starting considering adding oil. After all, its a good source of slow release energy, which is exactly what I'm after.

BUT....which oil to use?!?!?!

I've read that soya oil seems to be the best one for energy/stamina but just wondered what you lot thought? Anyone have any suggestions on oils at all? Oh and how much?

Ta

S

Oh...I'm not that keen on using cod liver oil, personal choice, no offence to anyone who does use it!! Each to their own and all that eh guys?!

[Just.Jump]

I am very firm on the matter of not using cod liver oil, regardless of results. As I stated in the other oil post, if horses were meant to ingest meat or meat byproducts, they would have been given canine teeth (and regardless of how sharp or their nickname, tushes don't count).

If you're looking for food to provide more energy, this site (http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/index.htm) and a few others I looked up quickly favor alfalfa, and linseed oil on this one in particular. I'm fairly certain any oil will do, and as stated in the other oil post, canola is probably the healthiest oil on the market- very little saturated fat. Which is excellent, because horses don't need a heck of alot of fat in the first place- again with the not needing meats, whch means they command a lower fat diet as well.

[rianne21]

hey sweetie i suggest reading through the thread about oil in feeds,it's real confusing as peeps just argueing and trying to be one better than the other, but i'm learning some strange things. i have always fed my horses cod liver oil for joint probs, never heard of it being dangerous, please can anyone actually make a link up if they get proof that cod liver oil isn't safe as i'm quite interested as to why it's stil on the market :0)

[Just.Jump]

I'm not stating it isn't safe for all purpose uses. It's just my principle that you don't feed a meat product to a herbivor, regardless of effects.

[Wally]

Feeding animal by products to other herbivores was alleged to have caused BSE in cattle from scrapie infected sheep. My uncle was more of the opinion that is was chemicals used on the farm which, in those days, was compulory.....but that's another story.

Humans have been eating scrapie mutton for generations and seem to cope without ill effects, Scrapie seemed to turn to BSE in cattle. Not sure what Cod carry that horses could catch.

It's been fed to cattle and nags here including salt herring and mackerel, for donkey's years.

[teabiscuit]

there is a concern over the pollution in the sea and how it is accumulated in the cods liver, i won't feed it for that reason, its too scary, all those heavy metals.

[Wally]

Don't forget there are heavy metals floating about in the air as much as the sea, especially if you live in spitting distance of a city. It falls out onto grazing land.

[cvb]

I personally discount soya because of GM. The soya grown in US is not separated between GM and non-GM and they are the major suppliers of soya. So there isa reasonable chance that soya oil will have GM soya in it.

[teabiscuit]

Wally i'm so lucky me and the nags live in the middle of forestry commision land far far away from the city :)

[Chromelotus]

Linseed oil is one of the very best in terms of offering omega 3 and 6, this is the favourite of many equine nutritionists.

I totally agree with what everyone has been saying about not feeding cod liver oil to a herbivore. It bloomin' stinks if you spill it too! Also, with a very high a dose and you could be giving toxic levels of vitamin D.

[teabiscuit]

thanks for that chromelotus i was thinking of feeding linseed oil, not sure whether to buy it in that form or cook the seeds (for the lovely smell and nice feeling of homeliness it gives me :))
what do people think of feeding cooking oil? i've never been too convinced that its ok, rapeseed oil especially has a bad reputation

[Chromelotus]

You can but it in huge bottles from equine feedstores, I would think this was a better bet than making your own. I also buy pumps which screw on to the top of the oil bottle and dispense 25ml at a time. MUCH better as you can gauge exactly how much you are putting into your horses which is more economical for you that putting "one big pour" into the feed.

[SarahC]

hey sweetie i suggest reading through the thread about oil in feeds,it's real confusing as peeps just argueing and trying to be one better than the other
Hmmm....not been on for a few days so sorry for late reply! Anyway, I'm not interested in arguments, just wanted advice on which oil was considered better for energy (rather than for coat, joints etc). Sorry if this has stirred up the debate again...not intentional promise! :D Although not to say debate isn't healthy! Just don't want anything getting heated if you know what I mean!! Ok...think I'll shut up now! I'm rambling! :D

As I said at the bottom of my original post:
Oh...I'm not that keen on using cod liver oil, personal choice, no offence to anyone who does use it!! Each to their own and all that eh guys?!

but thanks to everyone for replying....never heard of canola so will have a look at that and also linseed.

Thanks again guys.