Flax for Horses
Flaxseed is an annual plant that grows best in northern, cool climates, which explains why Canada is the largest producer of this crop in the world. The richest source of omega 3 fatty acids among plants, flaxseeds contain about 40% oil, 30% fiber, and 20% protein, in addition to vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. The benefits of flaxseed for horses include bringing the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio back into balance, weight gain, seasonal allergy support, skin and coat health, and overall wellness.
Sources and Bioavailability of Flaxseed for Horses
Although it is more convenient to feed flaxseed whole as it can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, whole seeds are likely to pass undigested through the horse’s intestinal tract because the hard outer hull resists the action of digestive enzymes. The best way to feed horses flaxseed is to grind it into a powder-like form just prior to use so that the nutrients are available but not inactivated by being exposed to the environment for too long. Better yet, ground (milled) flaxseed can be purchased that has been stabilized to prevent the fat from going rancid and the other nutrients from breaking down. Soaking or boiling of whole seeds is not necessary but is often done.
How Much Flaxseed to Feed Your Horse
Horses can be fed anywhere from 2 to 16 ounces (1 pound) of flaxseed per day depending on the desired results. It is very common to provide a mid-range amount of 1/2 to 1 cup of flaxseed (equivalent to 3 to 6 ounces) daily. When horses with recurrent seasonal pruritus (insect bite hypersensitivity to the Culicoides midge or “sweet itch”) were supplemented with 1 pound of ground flaxseed for 42 days, researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario found no negative side-effects, an altered fatty acid profile of the hair, and a diminished allergic response from the skin*.
*Source: O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity. Can J Vet Res. 2002 Oct;66(4):272-7. PMID: 12418783; PMCID: PMC227015.
Is your horse short on shine? A dull coat and dry skin may be signs of a diet lacking in essential fatty acids. Smart & Simple Flax provides omega 3 fatty acids from stabilized flaxseed to promote healthy skin and coat from the inside out. In addition to looking great, your horse will gain the many health benefits omega 3s are known to provide!
Omega Horseshine® is a premium omega 3 essential fatty acid supplement made with fortified, stabilized, ground flax. Horse Journal's: "Product of the Year!", "Our First Pick - Most Concentrated Source of Quality Omega-3", & "Recommended Immune-Boosting Product". Recommended by John Lyons' Perfect Horse.
Omega Horseshine®:
Made in the USA
Omega Horseshine®:
- Promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat, plus normal shedding
- Supports strong, durable hooves
- Benefits mares in gestation, lactation, and growth
- Benefits foals in gestation, lactation, and growth
- Support top performance
- Low NSC (4.4%), as recommended for IR/Cushing's horses
Made in the USA
SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra is designed to promote wellness and vitality in your horse by providing two fundamental wellness ingredients: omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. High-grain diets and a lack of fresh pasture are common reasons why many horses aren’t receiving enough of these two nutrients. By providing omega 3s from the best possible sources – flaxseed, chia seed, and fish oil - SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra helps bring your horse’s diet into balance. This formula also provides 1,500 IU of natural vitamin E to support general immunity and overall muscle health. Natural vitamin E is a highly bioavailable form that is readily absorbed and utilized by the horse, as shown in our recent study. SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra will provide your horse with the nutrients he needs to truly thrive!
BioFlax 20 is "...the hands-down choice for coat, skin and hoof problems" - Horse Journal, June 2000 issue. Biotin supplementation has been shown to be helpful in improving hoof quality, including improvement in density and overall integrity. Rich in natural omega 3 fatty acids, BioFlax 20 also helps to promote healthy skin, a shiny coat, and hooves that are less prone to drying out and cracking.
"According to our nutrition survey, 7 out of 10 horses aren’t getting a full serving of fortified grain, meaning their diet may not provide the necessary vitamins and mineral for optimal health. We built the Nutrition Essentials SmartPak to help meet your horse's nutrient requirements, so he has everything he needs to look and feel his best. It provides a comprehensive selection of water- and fat-soluble vitamins, micro and macro minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. Plus, a generous serving of omega 3s from flaxseed supports cellular health, a normal response to inflammation, and a radiant coat. The Nutrition Essentials SmartPak provides health and wellness you can see."
– The SmartPak Horse Health Experts
– The SmartPak Horse Health Experts
SmartEssentials Pellets are designed to help your horse get the nutrients he needs to look and feel his best! This formula includes the active ingredients of SmartVite Thrive Pellets, which provide the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to help meet your horse’s nutrient requirements for optimal health. In addition, it contains omega 3 fatty acids from flaxseed and fish oil to help promote overall wellness.
Omega Horseshine® Complete is intended to provide a comprehensive selection of vitamins and minerals in a flaxseed-based supplement to help your horse look, feel, and perform his best. This formula contains a selection of key vitamins and minerals to help meet the nutritional requirements that your horse needs for optimal health. With a base of stabilized, ground flaxseed, this supplement offers a full spectrum of essential fatty acids, including an optimal ratio of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that help maintain overall wellness as well as healthy skin and a shiny coat. Because the flax seed is stabilized, it offers a longer shelf life. Additionally, the flax seed is fortified during the stabilization process with vitamin B6 and zinc, two of the nutrients that a horse’s body uses to metabolize flax seed. It also contains Diamond V® yeast to help maintain digestive stability, 15 mg of biotin for hoof support, and antioxidants that may help combat the effects of oxidative stress associated with normal exercise and aging. Plus, this supplement has a low NSC of 5% maximum, making it a suitable choice for easy keepers or horses on sugar-restricted diets. Finally, both you and your horse will love that Omega Horseshine Complete offers concentrated support in a convenient, smaller serving size than the original Omega Horseshine formula. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement for horses that is rich in omega 3s or a skin and coat supplement that’s designed to do more.
CocoOmega™ provides concentrated ingredients for hair, skin, hoof, joint, and immune health in mess-free granules. A blend of omega-3 rich flax seeds, chia seeds, and fish oil create a 4:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, mirroring the ratio found in grass to promote a shiny, healthy coat and a normal response to inflammation. CocoOmega additionally supplies the important fatty acids alpha-linolenic, EPA, and DHA to support brain and nervous system function. Aiding in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and many naturally occurring plant phytonutrients, the formula can also be used to support mares, foals, and growing horses during gestation, lactation, and maturation. Best of all, its highly palatable flavor helps encourage picky eaters.
Made in the USA.
Also available in CocoOmega™ Oil.
Made in the USA.
Also available in CocoOmega™ Oil.
CocoSoya® Granular is a comprehensive fatty acid supplement that combines CocoSoya oil, stabilized flax seed, and rice bran for skin, coat, and hoof support. High in omega-3s and an easily fermentable soluble fiber, flax seed provides cool, safe calories to build healthy weight and help maintain blood sugar levels in addition to promoting a beautiful coat. It also acts as a prebiotic to aid in digestive function. These convenient and highly palatable granules help picky eaters get the nutrients they need!
Looking to add to your horse's SmartPak?
Gallop on over to CocoSoya® Ultra SP!
Also available in CocoSoya™ Oil.
Looking to add to your horse's SmartPak?
Gallop on over to CocoSoya® Ultra SP!
Also available in CocoSoya™ Oil.
CocoOmega provides concentrated ingredients for hair, skin, hoof, joint, and immune health. A blend of omega-3 rich flax seeds, chia seeds, and fish oil create a 4:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, mirroring the ratio found in grass to promote a shiny, healthy coat and a normal response to inflammation. CocoOmega additionally supplies the important fatty acids alpha-linolenic, EPA, and DHA to support brain and nervous system function. Aiding in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and many naturally occurring plant phytonutrients, the formula can also be used to support mares, foals, and growing horses during gestation, lactation, and maturation. Best of all, its highly palatable flavor helps encourage picky eaters.
Made in the USA.
Also available in CocoOmega™ Granular.
Made in the USA.
Also available in CocoOmega™ Granular.
Majesty’s Omega Wafers are no-bake wafers that your horse will love. They’re made with the finest ingredients, including flax as the perfect source of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which support healthy skin, a shiny coat, strong hooves, and immune system function. In addition, these wafers include biotin, which helps horses utilize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats such as omegas.
SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra is designed to promote wellness and vitality in your horse by providing two fundamental wellness ingredients: omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. High-grain diets and a lack of fresh pasture are common reasons why many horses aren’t receiving enough of these two nutrients. By providing omega 3s from the best possible sources – flaxseed, chia seed, and fish oil - SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra helps bring your horse’s diet into balance. This formula also provides 1,500 IU of natural vitamin E to support general immunity and overall muscle health. Natural vitamin E is a highly bioavailable form that is readily absorbed and utilized by the horse, as shown in our recent study. SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra will provide your horse with the nutrients he needs to truly thrive!
Our Equinox 365™ program is the smartest way to provide your horse with year-round support for overall wellness. We’ll automatically update your horse’s SmartPak from SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra in the fall and winter to SmartItch-Ease in the spring and summer – you don’t have to worry about a thing! Equinox 365 allows you to take great care of your horse, so we’ll take great care of you by giving you 25% off SmartItch-Ease every month.
More Details on Equinox 365
Our Equinox 365™ program is the smartest way to provide your horse with year-round support for overall wellness. We’ll automatically update your horse’s SmartPak from SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra in the fall and winter to SmartItch-Ease in the spring and summer – you don’t have to worry about a thing! Equinox 365 allows you to take great care of your horse, so we’ll take great care of you by giving you 25% off SmartItch-Ease every month.
More Details on Equinox 365
Glanzen 3C is a special, concentrated formula for SmartPak. This concentrate provides everything you need for superior hoof integrity, an absolutely brilliant coat, plus a calm, focused, and willing attitude!
Glänzen 3 in buckets is in the original (non-concentrated) formulation. 4 oz of Glänzen 3C is equivalent to 6 oz of original Glänzen 3
Glänzen 3 in buckets is in the original (non-concentrated) formulation. 4 oz of Glänzen 3C is equivalent to 6 oz of original Glänzen 3
"The Senior Foundation SmartPak is all about giving your senior horse what he needs to look and feel good as he ages. We've included digestive support because, in addition to being key to overall health and wellbeing, it can help older horses make the most of the nutrients in their diet. We've strategically combined this with turmeric to support comfortable movement and omega 3 fatty acids from flaxseed to deal with the stress associated with aging, so that he will be able to make the most of his golden years." – The SmartPak Horse Health Experts
"With basic joint support, targeted ingredients for digestive health, and a hearty serving of omega fatty acids for overall wellness, we designed this Starter SmartPak to be a solid foundation for most horses, regardless of discipline, by targeting some of the most important areas of his health and well-being." - The SmartPak Horse Health Experts
Every horse is unique and so are his needs, however many horses can benefit from support in several key areas, no matter their workload or discipline. Multi-purpose formulas target specific areas to give your horse a solid foundation for success all in one formula. From the elite equine athlete to the retired senior, there is a perfect combo for your best friend.
Every horse is unique and so are his needs, however many horses can benefit from support in several key areas, no matter their workload or discipline. Multi-purpose formulas target specific areas to give your horse a solid foundation for success all in one formula. From the elite equine athlete to the retired senior, there is a perfect combo for your best friend.
All-inclusive horse joint supplement. Flex+Max® offers comprehensive joint care featuring enhanced ingredient levels for guaranteed results—all in a horse joint supplement offering a highly palatable formula with no fillers. Flex+Max also offers “guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin,” which is important when you consider that levels of active ingredients in supplements can vary widely, impacting the results they’re able to deliver. Formulated with 10,000 mg of glucosamine, 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate, 5,000 mg of MSM & 150 mg of HA.
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Your horse gives you his all, and he deserves the best care in return. SmartCombo Ultimate Pellets make it easy to give your horse an unparalleled level of joint, hoof, gastric, digestive, and coat support all-in-one, at a savings of over 25% compared to purchasing individually. SmartCombo Ultimate Pellets provide key ingredients for joint, tendon and ligament support, along with active ingredients from SmartHoof® Ultra for strong hooves, SmartGI™ Ultra for researched stomach and hindgut health ingredients, and SmartShine Ultra for a brilliant coat. This pelleted formula is ideal for horses in very heavy work, or anyone simply wanting to provide the very best multi-purpose support.
ReitSport is an outstanding all-in-one formula for joint, hoof, coat, and digestive support! This formula features HorseTech’s popular human-grade flaxseed base, which is rich in natural omega 3 fatty acids. Each 4 oz. serving of Reitsport provides 30 mg of biotin and 15 g of omega 3 fatty acids, along with Zinpro brand organic trace minerals, methionine, 10,000 mg of glucosamine HCl, 2,000 mg of chondroitin sulfate, 10,000 mg of OptiMSM brand MSM, and 4,500 mg of vitamin C, plus a complete probiotic package. ReitSport is a SmartPak customer favorite!
We also offer ReitSport C, a special concentrated form of ReitSport that is made specially for SmartPaks. ReitSport C combines the active ingredients of two of HorseTech’s most popular products, Glanzen 3, and TriSport. Buckets contain the original, non-concentrated formula of Reitsport.
We also offer ReitSport C, a special concentrated form of ReitSport that is made specially for SmartPaks. ReitSport C combines the active ingredients of two of HorseTech’s most popular products, Glanzen 3, and TriSport. Buckets contain the original, non-concentrated formula of Reitsport.
Grand Complete is a broad-based supplement that supports joints, hooves, and coat. Grand Complete provides 2,500 mg of glucosamine, 2,500 mg of MSM, 2,500 mg of vitamin C, 10 mg of biotin, and 3,000 mg of methionine, along with antioxidants, yeast, and minerals. Grand Complete also provides omega 3 and 6 fatty acids from soy and flaxseed, to help promote a shiny coat!
Learn more about Grand Complete
Learn more about Grand Complete
Nothing can ruin a day at the barn faster than bothersome bugs. Luckily for you and your horse, supplements in this category provide additional defense against these pesky pests. They help discourage flies from bothering and biting your horse, making riding and turnout time fun for both of you.
A SmartPak exclusive! All the benefits of Uckele’s renowned Cocosoya Oil in a tasty powder that horses love. This unique blend includes stabilized flaxseed and rice bran, along with probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health. The combination of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids with digestive ingredients supports healthy weight gain and a beautiful coat. Cocosoya Ultra SP is a customer favorite.
SmartCombo Senior Ultra Pellets make it easy to give your golden oldie the comprehensive support he deserves.
SmartCombo Senior Ultra Pellets provide high levels of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, MSM, biotin, omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, DVEquine™ Postbiotic, and more. Ideal for the competitive senior or any older horse who needs extra support to look and feel his best. Your horse will love these tasty pellets!
Order SmartCombo Senior Ultra Pellets in SmartPaks and you may be eligible for up to $15,000 of colic surgery reimbursement through our ColiCare program!
SmartCombo Senior Ultra Pellets provide high levels of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, MSM, biotin, omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, DVEquine™ Postbiotic, and more. Ideal for the competitive senior or any older horse who needs extra support to look and feel his best. Your horse will love these tasty pellets!
Order SmartCombo Senior Ultra Pellets in SmartPaks and you may be eligible for up to $15,000 of colic surgery reimbursement through our ColiCare program!
CocoHoof™ Pellets encourage normal hoof growth and give weak, shelly hooves a boost with omega fatty acids, amino acids, and essential vitamins and minerals. Nutrients such as biotin, lysine, methionine, copper, and zinc support strong, tough hooves. Key in the production of keratin, a major protein, these same nutrients are also central to skin and coat health. CocoHoof's well-balanced formula additionally contributes to hoof and skin integrity by reducing excessive oxidation, which can disrupt the production of healthy tissue.
- High concentrations of amino acids lysine and methionine, plus hydrolyzed collagen, important for connective tissue proteins, hoof growth, and immune defense
- Zinc, copper, and manganese, minerals necessary for the proper production of proteins responsible for structural integrity in skin, hair, and hooves
- Omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids help maintain pliability and hoof moisture level
- Biotin, a vitamin necessary for the health and growth of hoof proteins and other connective tissue, including keratin
- Pyroxidene, a key B vitamin for protein assembly
- Highly palatable base of expellers' (cold pressed) sunflower seed meal, flax meal, and copra meal with fenugreek and natural CocoSoya flavoring
- No artificial preservatives
Made in the USA.
Grand Coat is designed to support breathtaking colors, glossy coats and lustrous manes and tails. Unique quadruple action formula that includes omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, lecithin, biotin and Diamond V Yeast.
SmartDark & Handsome helps bring out a deep, dark shine in black, bay, and brown coats. This unique formula provides a targeted combination of ingredients specifically designed to help horses maintain their most beautiful coat color. Flaxseed serves as a high-quality source of omega 3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and a shiny coat. Paprika, a spice rich in beta carotene and other antioxidants, supports a deep, rich coat color. Finally, 5 mg of biotin and minerals such as copper and zinc support a healthy, resilient haircoat. Plus, it contains fenugreek for a delicious flavor and aroma your horse will love! SmartDark & Handsome is ideal for horses with black or dark bay coats, but may also be helpful for any horse that has a coat prone to sun bleaching. It isn’t just for the boys, either – SmartDark & Handsome is great for mares, too. (We just couldn’t resist the name!)
Nothing can ruin a day at the barn faster than bothersome bugs. Luckily for you and your horse, supplements in this category provide additional defense against these pesky pests. They help discourage flies from bothering and biting your horse, making riding and turnout time fun for both of you.
Nu-Image is a scientifically formulated nutritional supplement rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids, fortified with biotin, zinc, amino acids, and is designed to promote the growth of exceptionally healthy, luscious hair, mane, and tail. Nu-Image is a high-quality coat conditioner with exceptional value at pennies per day – even less than corn oil, without the mess. Formulated to work with all feeding programs and other supplements safely, without fear of over-supplementation, use Nu-Image to give your horse a show quality coat in as little as ten days.
SmartShine Ultra will help give your horse a gorgeous glow from the inside out. This formula takes a beautiful coat to a whole new level by providing chia seed in addition to ground flaxseed. These two ingredients provide high levels of omega 3 fatty acids to support cellular health and a normal inflammatory response throughout the body. This formula is ideal for horses with dry, dull coats or those struggling with skin issues. With SmartShine Ultra, your horse will look and feel his best, plus he'll love the tasty fenugreek flavor!