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TEXAS VET NEWS
By Dr. Bob Judd, DVM and the Texas Farm Bureau

Omega 3 Fatty Acids 11/2/04

One of the most common conditions of the equine athlete is arthritis. We have discussed many treatments on this program for arthritis including both systemic and topical anti-inflammatories as well as joint injections with various products. In the last few years, several studies have been done in humans with arthritis by adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet. It has been shown that the addition of omega 3 fatty acids to the human diet can decrease the inflammation and detrimental enzymes in arthritic joints. It is suspected that the same effects may be produced in the equine athlete.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been studied in several conditions of the horse. A study was performed by Dr. Doug Herthel, of Platinum Performance Corporation in California, on the effects of omega 3 fatty acids concerning the prevention of laminitis or founder. Six horses in the study were fed omega 3 fatty acids for 1 month and another 6 horses were fed a placebo only. The horses were then challenged with a carbohydrate to induce founder. All horses developed some GI signs, but only the 6 horses fed the placebo showed pain in their feet. The horses fed the omega 3 fatty acids did not become painful.

Omega 3 fatty acids have also been shown to have a beneficial effect by decreasing inflammation in skin disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory, and GI disease in many species. The advantage of feeding omega 3 fatty acids on a routine basis is the risk of side effects is extremely low as omega 3 fatty acids are required in the horse’s diet. Also, the use of omega 3 fatty acids may allow a horse owner to decrease the amount of other arthritis medications that do have side effects. Ask your vet about omega 3 fatty acids.