Equine Formula Omega-3 from Whole-Cell Marine Microalgae.
Not all Omega-3 supplements for horses are equal.
The source determines the benefits.
There are three categories in the market today:
Whole-Cell Marine Microalgae
PhytoSmart Equine Formula occupies a category of its own. Marine microalgae is the origin point of DHA in the food chain. Fish accumulate DHA by consuming algae. PhytoSmart cultivates that algae directly, in a patented axenic growth system at our facility in Maine, USA.Axenic production means a single, pure strain of marine microalgae, grown in a sealed, closed-loop environment. Every batch is produced under the same controlled conditions, to the same standard, every time. This is not commodity agriculture. It is precision biomass production. The algae is delivered to your horse as an intact whole cell. The DHA is protected inside the cell, absorbed without conversion and reduces the oxidation risk that comes with extracted oils. Alfalfa, clover, and vitamin C support palatability and nutritional balance.
Extracted Marine Oils
Fish oil and extracted algae oils deliver pre-formed DHA and EPA, which horses can use without conversion. This is a meaningful step forward from the plant and seed oil sources. The trade-off is that extraction removes the fatty acids from their natural cellular environment, introducing oxidation risk and reducing structural integrity. Most fish oil products also contain Omega-6 fatty acids, which compete with Omega-3 at the same metabolic pathways and can reduce the anti-inflammatory benefit you are supplementing for.Plant-Based Sources
Flax, chia, hemp, canola, camelina, and soy are the most widely used Omega-3 ingredients in equine supplements. They supply a short-chain Omega-3 called ALA, which horses must convert to DHA before it has any biological function. Research shows horses convert less than 5% of dietary ALA to DHA. These ingredients are broadly available and inexpensive, which is why they dominate the market. However, the conversion limitation means the Omega-3 activity your horse actually receives is a fraction of what the label suggests.When using PhytoSmart's products, the Omega-3 your horse consumes is the Omega-3 your horse's body absorbs and uses.
What we do differently at PhytoSmart
The DHA in every fish oil product on the market originated in marine microalgae. Fish accumulate DHA by consuming algae. PhytoSmart eliminates the fish entirely and delivers the algae directly.
Our marine microalgae is not extracted or processed into an oil. It is delivered as a whole, intact cell. The DHA is protected inside the cell matrix at harvest. Your horse consumes the cell, the cell is digested, and the DHA is absorbed. There is no conversion requirement, no extraction step, and no oxidation exposure.
This is not a reformulation of existing equine Omega-3 products. We produce a fundamentally different delivery mechanism.
The Benefits of DHA supplementation
Joint Health
DHA reduces the synthesis of pro- inflammatory eicosanoids within synovial fluid. Horses supplemented with marine-derived Omega-3s show measurable reductions in inflammatory markers associated with joint degradation and discomfort.
Coat and Skin Condition
DHA incorporates into phospholipid cell membranes throughout the body, including dermal tissue. Supplemented horses consistently demonstrate improvements in coat quality and skin integrity, reflecting systemic uptake.
Respiratory Health
Clinical trials document reduced cough frequency, decreased respiratory effort, and improved lung function in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO/heaves) following marine Omega-3 supplementation. DHA directly modulates airway inflammatory pathways.
Immune Function
DHA regulates immune cell signaling at the membrane level, supporting a calibrated inflammatory response. This is relevant for horses under performance stress, during travel, and in post-surgical recovery.
Reproduction
DHA supplementation in stallions improves sperm motility and membrane integrity. In mares, DHA transfers through milk to nursing foals, supporting early neurological and retinal development -- outcomes that are not achievable through ALA-based supplementation given the conversion limitations.
Neurological Development
DHA is a primary structural component of neural tissue. In growing horses, adequate DHA availability is associated with improved learning and memory, consistent with its established role in brain development across speciesIngredients and Feeding
Ingredients: Marine microalgae, alfalfa, clover, vitamin C. Introduce over 5 to 7 days. Mix into feed or offer on its own.
Use
Maintenance
Therapeutic
Daily Serving
1 Tbsp (7g)
2 Tbsp (14g)
Total Omega-3
175 mg
350 mg
DHA
56 mg
112 mg
Costs Per Day
$ 1.61
$3.22
Guaranteed Analysis
Nutrient
Crude Protein
Crude Fat
Crude Fiber
Salt (NaCl)
Moisture
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
Guarantee
22.0%
Minimum
7.0%
Minimum
15.0%
Minimum
1.0%
Minimum
7.0%
Maximum
2.50%
Minimum
0.80%
Minimum
For Veterinarians and Breeding Operations
The whole-cell format preserves the structural integrity of DHA in a way extracted oils cannot replicate. For horses where managing chronic inflammation is a clinical priority- recurrent airway obstruction, metabolic syndrome, laminitis, and post-surgical recovery - the DHA-dominant profile and low Omega-6 burden of PhytoSmart make it a clinically rational choice. Practice accounts and bulk pricing are available.
PhytoSmart Equine Formula
| 24 oz | $165.00 | Feeding cost per day: $1.61VETERINARY INQUIRY & FIND A DISTRIBUTOR
| Grown in Maine, USA | No fish. | No extraction. | Sustainable, Pure, Bioavailable Nutrition |
ALA = Alpha-Linolenic Acid. A plant-based Omega-3 requiring enzymatic conversion to DHA. Conversion rate in horses is less than 5%.
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