Two bottles can both say omega-3 on the label and still deliver very different things. One may rely on flax oil, which supplies the plant-based fatty acid ALA. Another may supply DHA and EPA directly, from fish oil or from microalgae. Traditional feed oils also bring calories along with their fat, which is part of why concentrated and alternative sources have drawn interest.
Choosing the right supplement can feel confusing when so many products make similar claims. The real differences lie in their ingredients, omega-3 sources, and the amounts of specific fatty acids they provide per serving. In this guide, we’ll explore five brands offering horse omega-3 supplements beyond traditional feed oils, highlighting their unique formulations, key ingredients, and potential benefits for equine nutrition. We’ll also look at the information each brand provides about its products, making it easier to compare the available options and identify what sets each supplement apart.
1. Mad Barn
Mad Barn describes its mission as improving horse well-being, with nutritionists, veterinarians and research scientists on one team. It traces the company to founder Scott Cieslar, an MSc-trained nutritionist who first formulated a premix for his own horses, and says product sales fund research and owner education.
How OmegaPrime+ is formulated
OmegaPrime+ is positioned as an extra-strength omega-3 oil. Per 30 mL serving, the product page lists 7,500 mg of combined DHA and EPA (6,000 mg DHA and 1,500 mg EPA) plus 750 IU of natural vitamin E. Mad Barn says the DHA and EPA come from marine microalgae rather than fish, with cold-pressed flax oil adding ALA, a shorter-chain omega-3 that horses convert into DHA and EPA only to a limited degree.
OmegaPrime+ Review: Concentrated DHA and EPA Without Fish Oil
The headline feature is concentration. Mad Barn compares OmegaPrime+ with its own W-3 Oil and says a serving has 70% fewer calories and five times more long-chain omega-3s, though the page does not source that claim or give an absolute calorie figure.
The serving is 30 mL daily for a 500 kg horse, top-dressed on feed and adjusted by body weight. Mad Barn positions it for joint, recovery, respiratory, immune, and skin and coat support, statements the page notes have not been evaluated by the FDA. Read the full directions first: the page advises against use in animals with bleeding disorders unless a veterinarian directs it, and recommends consulting a nutritionist or veterinarian.
A good match if: you want a concentrated DHA and EPA source without fish oil, or a smaller daily volume of oil, which the page highlights for easy keepers, ponies and performance horses.
2. EquiForce
EquiForce describes itself as an equine nutrition company whose products, formulated by nutritionist Dr. Amy M. Gill, are aimed at growth, metabolic, exercise and immune concerns. Its site lists two products that fit this comparison. Algae-to-Omega is an algae-derived DHA supplement that states it contains no fish products, lists 17% DHA, and gives 5 g of DHA per serving, with one to two scoops suggested daily for an 1,100 lb horse. EPA is not listed as a component.
Omegatri takes a different route. It is a blend of cold-pressed flaxseed, sunflower and olive oils, fed at 1 oz per 200 lb of body weight daily. Its omega-3 comes as ALA, and the page gives no DHA or EPA amounts.
A good match if: you want the option of a scoop-fed algae DHA product or a flax oil blend from the same company, instead of a single format.
3. Equine Elixirs
Equine Elixirs sells all-natural, whole food based supplements for horses, made in the USA in an equine-only facility. Its omega-3 option is OM3GA Omega-3 Fatty Acid Support, which the site describes as a vegan supplement that takes EPA and DHA from algae instead of fish. The active blend lists Nannochloropsis and Schizochytrium algae, flaxseed oil, natural vitamin E and sea buckthorn oil.
Dosing follows body weight: half an ounce daily under 500 lb, one ounce for 500 to 1,500 lb, and an ounce and a half above that, with each pump delivering half an ounce. The reviewed page does not state DHA, EPA or ALA amounts, so a direct nutrient comparison is not possible from the published information. Owners can ask the company for a breakdown.
A good match if: you prefer a vegan, algae-based blend that also includes flaxseed oil and vitamin E, and are happy to confirm nutrient amounts with the company.
4. Kentucky Equine Research (KER)
Kentucky Equine Research sells targeted horse nutrition supplements through its online shop, and its omega-3 product is EO-3. The page describes it as a palatable liquid built on distilled fish oil from MSC-certified menhaden, with a minty apple flavor. Per 30 mL, it lists 3,200 mg EPA, 2,300 mg DHA and 500 mg DPA, for 6,000 mg of long-chain omega-3s, and it states an 8:1 omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
The serving is 30 mL daily for a 500 kg horse and 15 mL for ponies, introduced gradually over 5 to 10 days. EO-3 is a useful reference point because it publishes per-serving detail and takes a fish oil route rather than an algae one. The full ingredient list was not shown on the page.
A good match if: you want a fish oil product with published EPA, DHA and DPA amounts per 30 mL and a stated omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
5. PhytoSmart
PhytoSmart’s site centers on algae-based omega-3 products, mostly for pets, and describes its omega-3 as fresh and unextracted. It also has an equine page for PhytoSmart Equine Formula, made from whole-cell marine microalgae with organic alfalfa, organic red clover and vitamin C. It is the only horse product the equine page lists.
The page lists 175 mg of total omega-3 and 56 mg of DHA in a 1 tablespoon (7 g) maintenance serving, and 350 mg and 112 mg in a 2 tablespoon serving. EPA is not listed. Because this is a spoon-measured whole-cell product, its figures should not be set directly against the 30 mL oils above. When reviewed, the page’s main call to action was “Join The Waitlist,” so check current availability.
A good match if: you are looking for a whole-cell microalgae product rather than an oil, and can confirm waitlist availability first.
Comparing Omega-3 Sources and Serving Details
Now that you’ve seen all five brands, here is how they compare side by side.
Omega-3 sources compared
Product
Main omega-3 source
Disclosed amounts
Serving reviewed
Mad Barn OmegaPrime+
Microalgae (DHA, EPA) plus flax oil (ALA)
6,000 mg DHA; 1,500 mg EPA
30 mL daily, 500 kg horse
EquiForce Algae-to-Omega
Algae
5 g DHA; EPA not listed
1 to 2 scoops daily, 1,100 lb horse
EquiForce Omegatri
Flaxseed oil blend
ALA only; amounts not found
1 oz per 200 lb daily
Equine Elixirs OM3GA
Algae and flaxseed oil
Amounts not found
1 oz daily, 500 to 1,500 lb
KER EO-3
Menhaden fish oil
3,200 mg EPA; 2,300 mg DHA; 500 mg DPA
30 mL daily, 500 kg horse
PhytoSmart Equine Formula
Whole-cell marine microalgae
56 mg DHA; EPA not listed
1 tablespoon (7 g), maintenance
Only OmegaPrime+ and EO-3 share a 30 mL serving for a 500 kg horse, so their per-serving figures can sit side by side, although EO-3’s DPA and OmegaPrime+’s ALA mean the full fatty acid mix differs. That mix matters: in a2025 Journal of Animal Science study on young horses, plasma fatty acid profiles largely reflected the oil consumed, with DHA higher in horses fed an algal oil blend. The other products use grams, scoops or ounces, so their numbers are not directly comparable. Calories, where they matter, need to be checked separately.
Choosing a Horse Omega-3 Supplement
Choosing is easier when you check a few simple things. First, look at where the omega-3 comes from. Flax gives a plant form that your horse’s body has to convert, while fish oil and algae give forms it can use right away. Next, compare how much omega-3 each product lists and how much you feed each day. Think about your horse’s current diet too, including calories. If a company doesn’t share its numbers, ask for them. OmegaPrime+, which uses algae and flax, fits into the same comparison as the other products above, and your vet or an equine nutritionist can help you pick what suits your horse.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between ALA, DHA and EPA?
ALA is a plant-based omega-3 found in flax, while DHA and EPA are long-chain omega-3s found in fish oil and microalgae.
2. Which brand offers the best omega-3 for horses?
No product suits every horse, but OmegaPrime+ is a strong fit for owners who want concentrated DHA and EPA without fish oil.
3. Does a horse omega-3 supplement have to contain fish oil?
No, DHA and EPA can also come from microalgae, as in OmegaPrime+, Algae-to-Omega and OM3GA.
4. How do I compare supplements with different serving sizes?
Compare DHA and EPA per serving in the same unit for the same horse weight, and ask the brand for any missing figures.
5. What serving does OmegaPrime+ list?
The page lists 30 mL daily for a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse, adjusted by body weight.
6. Should I check with a veterinarian before starting one?
Yes, especially for horses with bleeding disorders or metabolic concerns, since Mad Barn’s page advises against use in animals with bleeding disorders unless a veterinarian directs it.
Two bottles can both say omega-3 on the label and still deliver very different things. One may rely on flax oil, which supplies the plant-based fatty acid ALA. Another may supply DHA and EPA directly, from fish oil or from microalgae. Traditional feed oils also bring calories along with their fat, which is part of why concentrated and alternative sources have drawn interest.
Choosing the right supplement can feel confusing when so many products make similar claims. The real differences lie in their ingredients, omega-3 sources, and the amounts of specific fatty acids they provide per serving. In this guide, we’ll explore five brands offering horse omega-3 supplements beyond traditional feed oils, highlighting their unique formulations, key ingredients, and potential benefits for equine nutrition. We’ll also look at the information each brand provides about its products, making it easier to compare the available options and identify what sets each supplement apart.
1. Mad Barn
Mad Barn describes its mission as improving horse well-being, with nutritionists, veterinarians and research scientists on one team. It traces the company to founder Scott Cieslar, an MSc-trained nutritionist who first formulated a premix for his own horses, and says product sales fund research and owner education.
How OmegaPrime+ is formulated
OmegaPrime+ is positioned as an extra-strength omega-3 oil. Per 30 mL serving, the product page lists 7,500 mg of combined DHA and EPA (6,000 mg DHA and 1,500 mg EPA) plus 750 IU of natural vitamin E. Mad Barn says the DHA and EPA come from marine microalgae rather than fish, with cold-pressed flax oil adding ALA, a shorter-chain omega-3 that horses convert into DHA and EPA only to a limited degree.
OmegaPrime+ Review: Concentrated DHA and EPA Without Fish Oil
The headline feature is concentration. Mad Barn compares OmegaPrime+ with its own W-3 Oil and says a serving has 70% fewer calories and five times more long-chain omega-3s, though the page does not source that claim or give an absolute calorie figure.
The serving is 30 mL daily for a 500 kg horse, top-dressed on feed and adjusted by body weight. Mad Barn positions it for joint, recovery, respiratory, immune, and skin and coat support, statements the page notes have not been evaluated by the FDA. Read the full directions first: the page advises against use in animals with bleeding disorders unless a veterinarian directs it, and recommends consulting a nutritionist or veterinarian.
A good match if: you want a concentrated DHA and EPA source without fish oil, or a smaller daily volume of oil, which the page highlights for easy keepers, ponies and performance horses.
2. EquiForce
EquiForce describes itself as an equine nutrition company whose products, formulated by nutritionist Dr. Amy M. Gill, are aimed at growth, metabolic, exercise and immune concerns. Its site lists two products that fit this comparison. Algae-to-Omega is an algae-derived DHA supplement that states it contains no fish products, lists 17% DHA, and gives 5 g of DHA per serving, with one to two scoops suggested daily for an 1,100 lb horse. EPA is not listed as a component.
Omegatri takes a different route. It is a blend of cold-pressed flaxseed, sunflower and olive oils, fed at 1 oz per 200 lb of body weight daily. Its omega-3 comes as ALA, and the page gives no DHA or EPA amounts.
A good match if: you want the option of a scoop-fed algae DHA product or a flax oil blend from the same company, instead of a single format.
3. Equine Elixirs
Equine Elixirs sells all-natural, whole food based supplements for horses, made in the USA in an equine-only facility. Its omega-3 option is OM3GA Omega-3 Fatty Acid Support, which the site describes as a vegan supplement that takes EPA and DHA from algae instead of fish. The active blend lists Nannochloropsis and Schizochytrium algae, flaxseed oil, natural vitamin E and sea buckthorn oil.
Dosing follows body weight: half an ounce daily under 500 lb, one ounce for 500 to 1,500 lb, and an ounce and a half above that, with each pump delivering half an ounce. The reviewed page does not state DHA, EPA or ALA amounts, so a direct nutrient comparison is not possible from the published information. Owners can ask the company for a breakdown.
A good match if: you prefer a vegan, algae-based blend that also includes flaxseed oil and vitamin E, and are happy to confirm nutrient amounts with the company.
4. Kentucky Equine Research (KER)
Kentucky Equine Research sells targeted horse nutrition supplements through its online shop, and its omega-3 product is EO-3. The page describes it as a palatable liquid built on distilled fish oil from MSC-certified menhaden, with a minty apple flavor. Per 30 mL, it lists 3,200 mg EPA, 2,300 mg DHA and 500 mg DPA, for 6,000 mg of long-chain omega-3s, and it states an 8:1 omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
The serving is 30 mL daily for a 500 kg horse and 15 mL for ponies, introduced gradually over 5 to 10 days. EO-3 is a useful reference point because it publishes per-serving detail and takes a fish oil route rather than an algae one. The full ingredient list was not shown on the page.
A good match if: you want a fish oil product with published EPA, DHA and DPA amounts per 30 mL and a stated omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
5. PhytoSmart
PhytoSmart’s site centers on algae-based omega-3 products, mostly for pets, and describes its omega-3 as fresh and unextracted. It also has an equine page for PhytoSmart Equine Formula, made from whole-cell marine microalgae with organic alfalfa, organic red clover and vitamin C. It is the only horse product the equine page lists.
The page lists 175 mg of total omega-3 and 56 mg of DHA in a 1 tablespoon (7 g) maintenance serving, and 350 mg and 112 mg in a 2 tablespoon serving. EPA is not listed. Because this is a spoon-measured whole-cell product, its figures should not be set directly against the 30 mL oils above. When reviewed, the page’s main call to action was “Join The Waitlist,” so check current availability.
A good match if: you are looking for a whole-cell microalgae product rather than an oil, and can confirm waitlist availability first.
Comparing Omega-3 Sources and Serving Details
Now that you’ve seen all five brands, here is how they compare side by side.
Omega-3 sources compared
Only OmegaPrime+ and EO-3 share a 30 mL serving for a 500 kg horse, so their per-serving figures can sit side by side, although EO-3’s DPA and OmegaPrime+’s ALA mean the full fatty acid mix differs. That mix matters: in a 2025 Journal of Animal Science study on young horses, plasma fatty acid profiles largely reflected the oil consumed, with DHA higher in horses fed an algal oil blend. The other products use grams, scoops or ounces, so their numbers are not directly comparable. Calories, where they matter, need to be checked separately.
Choosing a Horse Omega-3 Supplement
Choosing is easier when you check a few simple things. First, look at where the omega-3 comes from. Flax gives a plant form that your horse’s body has to convert, while fish oil and algae give forms it can use right away. Next, compare how much omega-3 each product lists and how much you feed each day. Think about your horse’s current diet too, including calories. If a company doesn’t share its numbers, ask for them. OmegaPrime+, which uses algae and flax, fits into the same comparison as the other products above, and your vet or an equine nutritionist can help you pick what suits your horse.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between ALA, DHA and EPA?
ALA is a plant-based omega-3 found in flax, while DHA and EPA are long-chain omega-3s found in fish oil and microalgae.
2. Which brand offers the best omega-3 for horses?
No product suits every horse, but OmegaPrime+ is a strong fit for owners who want concentrated DHA and EPA without fish oil.
3. Does a horse omega-3 supplement have to contain fish oil?
No, DHA and EPA can also come from microalgae, as in OmegaPrime+, Algae-to-Omega and OM3GA.
4. How do I compare supplements with different serving sizes?
Compare DHA and EPA per serving in the same unit for the same horse weight, and ask the brand for any missing figures.
5. What serving does OmegaPrime+ list?
The page lists 30 mL daily for a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse, adjusted by body weight.
6. Should I check with a veterinarian before starting one?
Yes, especially for horses with bleeding disorders or metabolic concerns, since Mad Barn’s page advises against use in animals with bleeding disorders unless a veterinarian directs it.
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