Omega Horseshine Review: Is 45lb of Flaxseed Worth It?
An Omega Horseshine flaxseed supplement review covering omega-3 content, coat results, the stabilisation question and how it compares to fish oil for horses.
The cheapest reliable route to omega-3 in a horse's diet, with a coat result that is real and a joint claim that is not proven.
The verdict: A stabilised ground flaxseed supplement in a 45lb bag, which is the most economical way to get plant-based omega-3 into a horse that no longer grazes fresh grass. Buy it for coat and skin condition and for general omega-3 support in a hay-fed senior. Do not buy it expecting the joint and inflammation results the marketing implies, because the evidence for plant omega-3 on equine joints is much weaker than for marine sources.
Omega Fields Omega Horseshine Omega-3 Flaxseed Supplement, 45lb bag
~$136
A stabilised ground flaxseed supplement supplying plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, sold in a 45lb bag for daily feeding.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Source | Flaxseed, a plant-based omega-3 |
|---|---|
| Bag size | 45lb |
| Manufacturer claims | Promotes a shiny coat and smoother skin texture |
| Further claims | Marketed for joint mobility, muscle recovery and immune support |
| Form | Ground and stabilised |
Specifications above come from Omega Fields' published product description. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Coat and skin condition is the one omega-3 effect owners see reliably, and it usually shows within four to eight weeks.
- Flaxseed is the cheapest practical omega-3 source for horses by a wide margin, and a 45lb bag brings the cost per day down further.
- A hay-only diet is low in omega-3 because the fatty acids in fresh grass degrade in curing, so topping it up is a rational thing to do for a senior who no longer grazes.
- Stabilised and ground, which matters because whole flaxseed passes through largely undigested and freshly ground flax goes rancid quickly.
- Palatable to most horses, which cannot be said for every oil-based alternative.
Where it falls short
- The bag makes several claims this review will not repeat as fact. Flaxseed is a source of ALA, the plant omega-3, and horses convert ALA to the long-chain EPA and DHA very inefficiently. The joint, muscle recovery and immune claims are far less supported than the coat claim.
- If your reason for buying omega-3 is inflammation or joint support, marine-sourced EPA and DHA is the better-evidenced choice, and Kentucky Equine Research says as much about its own fish oil product.
- 45lb is a lot of ground flax to keep fresh. Store it sealed, cool and dry, and be realistic about how long it takes one horse to get through it, because rancid oil is worse than none.
- It adds calories. On an overweight or metabolic horse that is a consideration your vet should weigh in on.
- Like every supplement, it is an addition to a diet rather than a fix for one. A senior losing condition needs a dental exam, a worm count and a proper forage plan before a supplement.
What owners report
Coat is what owners report, consistently and across brands. Published reports describe a visible change in shine and skin condition within a couple of months, and that is the effect with the clearest link to omega-3 supplementation.
Reports on joint and stiffness benefits are much more mixed, which is what you would expect given the conversion problem from plant ALA to EPA and DHA. The other recurring practical note is storage: several owners mention decanting a large bag into sealed containers to keep it fresh, which is sensible advice.
Who it suits
- Hay-fed seniors with no access to fresh grass, whose diet is genuinely low in omega-3.
- Horses with dull coats, dry skin or scurf where a dental and worming check has already been done.
- Owners feeding several horses, where the 45lb bag economics work.
Who should skip it
- Horses being supplemented specifically for inflammation, who are better served by a marine source. Our flax versus fish oil comparison covers why.
- Overweight or metabolic horses, without a conversation with your vet about the added calories.
- Single-horse owners who will not use 45lb before it deteriorates.
Alternatives worth considering
Kentucky Equine Research EO-3 Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA for horses, 1 gallon
~$135
A marine oil supplying DHA and EPA directly rather than relying on the horse to convert plant ALA. KER's own literature notes that marine long-chain fatty acids are used more efficiently than plant sources, which is the honest reason to choose it if inflammation is your target.
Check price on AmazonSmartEquine Smart and Simple Flax, 2.6lb, 45 servings
~$29
The same idea in a bag one horse can finish while it is still fresh. Buy this first to find out whether your horse eats it and whether you see a coat change, then move to the 45lb bag if you do.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Flax vs fish oil for horses
- Best omega-3 supplements
- Feed weight calculator
- Kentucky Equine Research EO-3 review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Editor's Pick ยท Affiliate link
Cosequin ASU for the Older Horse
The joint supplement with the most research behind it in horses, combining glucosamine and chondroitin with avocado and soybean unsaponifiables. Worth starting before an older horse is visibly stiff rather than after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does flaxseed actually improve a horse's coat?
This is the omega-3 effect with the most consistent support from owner experience, and it usually shows over four to eight weeks. It is worth ruling out the other causes of a poor coat first: dental problems, worms, insufficient protein and undiagnosed PPID all show up in the coat, and none of them is fixed by flax.
Is flaxseed or fish oil better for horses?
For coat and skin, flaxseed is cheap and effective. For inflammation and joint support, marine oil supplying EPA and DHA has better support, because horses convert plant ALA to those long-chain fatty acids poorly. Our flax versus fish oil comparison sets out the trade including palatability, which is where fish oil often loses.
Can I feed whole flaxseed instead?
Whole flaxseed largely passes through undigested, so the horse gets little from it. Ground flax is digestible but goes rancid quickly once the oil is exposed, which is why stabilised, pre-ground products exist. Grinding your own daily works and is a chore most people abandon.
How much flaxseed should a horse have?
Follow the manufacturer's feeding rate, and speak to your vet or an equine nutritionist if your horse is metabolic, overweight or on a restricted diet, because any added fat has calorie implications. Our feed weight calculator helps you work out what a scoop actually weighs, which is where most feeding errors start.
Will flaxseed help my arthritic senior?
Possibly not much, and the honest answer is that the evidence for plant omega-3 on equine joints is thin. Weight management, appropriate turnout and a veterinary plan do far more for an arthritic horse than any supplement. Our turnout versus stall for arthritis comparison covers the management side, which is where the real gains are.
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