Which Oil?

[chez111]

Hi everyone,

My feed merchant has suggested I use Corn Oil or Soya Oil instead of Vegetable.

Has anyone else used either of these oils or heard of this before?

Chez

[Piaffe]

Soya oil is used quite a lot - it is supposed to give the coat a lovely shine and helps keep weight on. Also gives slow release energy.

I feed my TB vegetable oil - just the plain stuff you get in supermarkets. I feed it to help keep his weight on in winter and it improves his coat and hooves. I believe it also helps to keep joints supple - but couldn't swear to that.

I guess it depends why you feed the oil and how much you feed - Soya oil is expensive if you buy from horse shops. Not sure about Corn oil - does your merchant recommend these oils are purchased from him, or your local supermarket?

[chez111]

I would just by it from the supermarket - it would be mainly to help keep weight on without fizz.

Chez

[Piaffe]

I believe Corn and Soya Oil are higher in protein content than veg oil. All veg based oils release energy slowly, so it shouldn't really matter which one you use as they will give energy but not in a large burst which causes the 'fizz'. I've fed my TB about a small cupful of Veg oil a day mixed into two feeds and have never got any extra 'fizz', just controllable energy and kept his weight constant.

I would say stick with veg oil if you are happy with it - alternatively you could ask your feed merchant about the nutritional qualities of the two alternatives he recommended.

[lamprellsarah]

i use vegetable oil, i use quiete a bit mines a TBx and it adds no fizz to her and she is easily affected by heating foods!
but it keep weight on her fantasticually!

[Barkless]

Here in the U.S. vegetable oil is considered to be "100% Refined, bleached, winterized, and deodorized soy oil, corn, cottonseed, peanut, rapeseed, safflower, or any combination or any other oil (except olive oil). The most commonly used oil is soybean oil." If it's the same in the U.K., then it wouldn't really matter nutritionally speaking which oil you use. I would choose the one that your horse likes and that you can buy most economically.

[ros]

I just give mine a tablespoon or so of Tesco's sunflower all most days, for their coats. It seems to do the trick.

Am I dreaming or have I read something about having to be careful with soya oil? I can't check 'cause mum-in-law's got my feeding bible.

[H & Bailey]

Hi a vet recommended corn oil to me too but I just use vegetable oil or sunflower oil .A good spoonful in the feed gives the coat a really good shine if I ahd a scanner I could post a lovely photo of Sooty and Lindy looking the shiniest ever!I feel it helps my little sooty with his legs as I was told he was a bit arthiritc...he hasnt been stiff for me..
yet!

[charlie]

we feed a cup of soya oil per day. Soya oil is more expensive, but it is much better for horses than vegetable oil. Cant remember why, some american research, so my pony is on a high oil diet:
top spec (expensive but good feed balencer-you do not have to feed much else) 6%oil
1 cup of soya oil per day
alfalfa

[Alison+Rio]

Soya oil is excellent for putting wieght on horses. If this is what you wnat the oil to do I would highly reccommend it.

I feed Cod Liver Oil to my mare to give her a nice coat and it helps with overall condition too.

My gelding howver gets Cider Apple Vinegar. This helps him with his joints as he has navicular and various other problems!

It all depends on what you want the oil for as to whish one to use. Hope some of this info helps you make your decision!

Alison + Rio + Cassey:D

[PaulandRuth]

The owner of our yard (who's been around a good few years now) has always recommended Soya Oil as it gives the coat a boost,but it is supposed to be the oil which can be absorbed right into the bones and thus helps lubricate stiff joints (no the feeling well)

Hope this helps


Regards

Paul

[Spydgal]

I was shocked at how effective vegetable oil was with our lot. All the horses at the rescue centre get it in their feeds - to aid with their digestion and that is why we started giving it to the real oldies who were having trouble. It definitely works a treat with helping their overall condition.
We were advised to give vegetable instead of sunflower but I dont recall why ... has anyone else heard this?