[RC] Corn oil - any thoughts on this? - Vallonelee
Here is some interesting info someone recently sent me on corn oil: Lee
<< so I would increase his calorie intake by adding corn oil or vegetable oil to his diet, instead of increasing the grain. >>
Myth #1 "Feed corn oil for weight gain." We have probably all done this one! Fact is, though, horses do not have gall bladders and so oil is absorbed through the lacteal ducts. When oil is present, these fat soluble vitamin receptor sites are blocked, and so absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K is inhibited. Vitamins A and D are important in calcium metabolism, so one would definitely not want to feed oils to broodmares, or growing horses, or horses in strenuous athletic endeavor, or older arthritic horses. Doesn't leave many horses that can have oil, does it? Vitamin E is a major antioxidant, important to the absorption of selenium and to immune function, and vitamin K is necessary for proper blood clotting. According to Nutrition News, polyunsaturated oils, such as corn oil, fed in large amounts can disrupt the immune system, and now you know why. Naturopathic doctors also consider corn oil to be a cause of inflammation in joints. So why do we see so much corn oil at the race tracks?...hmmmm. Check feed labels for oils added, very common in senior rations and high performance feeds, and in supplements like rice bran. And often other companies add fat in the form of animal fat--now there's a great idea for an herbivore! It goes without saying that animal fat is nearly always preserved with ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT--more reasons to read labels. (Note here: if the final feed processor does not add these icky preservatives, they don't have to list them on the label, even though they are in the fat source!) I even recently checked, at a client's request, a feed label that included mineral oil as a "fat" source. (Mineral oil is a petroleum product, FYI).
Feed this type of oil rather than the corn oil: Cocosoya
A blend of highly digestible Coconut and Soybean Oils selected for Natural Fatty Acid balance. It is a natural source of Omega 3, Omega 6 & Omega 9 fatty acids. Cocosoya retains Natural Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Sterols present in Crude Unrefined Oil (No chemical solvents). Cocosoya is an unrefined source of soybean & coconut oils. The thick substance (gums) that sometimes settles to the bottom of the container is the Natural Lecithins (phospholipids) and Tocopherols (Vitamin E) of the soy bean oil. It is a highly nutritious portion of the product. Keep your oil well shaken, allowing the lecithin & tocopherols to stay in suspension. Cocosoya is 20% more digestible than ordinary corn and vegetable oil and it costs less than vegetable oil at your local store.
Used for: --A replacement for (refined) ordinary corn & vegetable oil --Reducing dust in feed --Increasing feed palatability while reducing molasses --Improved hair coat gloss --Improved feed utilization --A natural source of Vitamin E --Increased calories in the diet which are slowly metabolized --Stabilizing Blood Sugar Use at the rate of 2 to 4 ounces daily.
Feed black oil sunflower seeds:
Here are some comments on BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS:
black oil seeds--I am feeding 1 cup of the black oil sunflower seeds to my crew. Unbelievable coats. The seeds are mainly an oil/fats source. The seeds are not a grain, ie, not a substitute for barley, but feed the seeds if for any reason you want more fats in the diet. The main place I have seen improvement is in my 28 year old NSH gelding, who is borderline Cushing's (mainly from steroids in his halter heyday, not by my hand, but from overenthusiastic trainers that my ex-husband employed 20 years ago...but then you can tell that is another whole story!). He has, in the last few years, had a pretty yak-y winter coat, then sheds in patches in the spring, so that he looks like he is molting, then kind of coarsens up again. He is shedding lots of short, dead hair since being on 2 cups a day of the seeds, and is gleaming and dark underneath. I am pretty high on the seeds. I have ridiculous mega dapples here right down to the back of their gaskins, on just a cup a day...this is cool! They stand out in the 100+ degree intense sun here in Eastern WA as well, choosing that over their shade and still they have show coats. My horses adore them, and they are 25% fat, so they're a great way to put on the lbs., too. If you are maxed out on the safe level of HES and still need more fat, don't add oil--add the black oil sunflower seeds.
Getting the seeds-- Any feed store should have them, or pet supply. Get the Purina black oil seeds, they are the cleanest with the least stems, etc.
