{"id":274,"date":"2017-05-08T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T15:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/?p=274"},"modified":"2023-02-01T15:37:11","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T15:37:11","slug":"formulating-your-horses-diet-part-3-fats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/2017\/05\/08\/formulating-your-horses-diet-part-3-fats\/","title":{"rendered":"Formulating Your Horse\u2019s Diet: Part 3 \u2013 Fats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nutrition is a fundamental part of your horse\u2019s health, wellbeing and performance. In this new series, we discuss the components of correct nutrition to help you formulate a healthy, well-balanced diet for your performance horse or pony.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Part 1, we examined two of the most commonly overlooked ingredients that are vital to sustaining performance \u2013 vitamins and minerals. In Part 2, we turned our attention to the importance of fibre. Now, we discuss feeding fats.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeding fats, usually in the form of oils, is becoming more commonplace for both pleasure and performance horses. Fats are an excellent source of calories
(energy). They are also a better alternative for improving body condition and oxidative capacity, without increasing excitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, what exactly is fat? And, what fats are fed to horses?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also called lipids, the fats consumed by horses are known as triglycerides, which consist of three fatty acid molecules attached to a glycerol molecule.
Due to their chemistry, fats are either saturated or unsaturated, with unsaturated fats being the healthier choice for horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n