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ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of dietary linseed oil supplementation on nutrients digestibility, in vitro gas production and blood parameters of horses
1
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Fisheries, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Publication date: 2026-05-04
Corresponding author
A. Waliczek
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Fisheries, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Fisheries, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
High-starch diets may cause metabolic disorders and hyperactivity
in sport horses. Concentrates based on cereal grains, rich in fermentable starch,
can be partially replaced with vegetable oils. Linseed oil provides essential fatty
acids and has a favourable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. However, limited data
exist on its dose-dependent effects on digestion and physiology in horses.
This study assessed the impact of two doses of dietary linseed oil on nutrient
digestibility and selected blood parameters in non-working horses. Additionally,
an in vitro gas production (GP) test evaluated microbial fermentation of
selected feeds. Six Konik Polski mares (3–12 years, 200–370 kg body weight) were fed
meadow hay and a concentrate supplemented with 0, 150, or 300 ml/day of
linseed oil. The study was an in vivo digestion experiment employing a 3 × 3
Latin square design. Digestibility was determined using the acid-insoluble ash
(AIA) marker method. Faecal inoculum was used for GP testing with oat grain
and meadow hay. Blood samples were collected before and after feeding to
analyse haematological and biochemical parameters. Linseed oil significantly
improved ether extract digestibility but had no effect on other nutrients. In vitro
GP tended to decrease in high-fibre feed with oil supplementation. The 150 ml
dose lowered haemoglobin and packed cell volume, while 300 ml increased
these values. Significant changes were observed in total protein, albumin, urea,
bilirubin, and cholesterol concentrations. Linseed oil supplementation did not
adversely affect nutrient digestibility and showed dose-dependent influences
on blood parameters, indicating its potential as an alternative energy source in
horse nutrition.
FUNDING
The project was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland, grant N˚ KW2/34/2020-2024. The authors would like to thank veterinarian Marek Tischner for his kind assistance in providing veterinary care for the horses.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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