Feeding vegetable oil to horses is an easy way to add fat to your horse's diet. This is perfect for older horses and horses that are hard keepers and need to gain weight. Gradually build up the amount of oil you feed though, otherwise you could cause stomach upset.
It can improve racing performance in both sprints and long-distance, according to studies. There is some concern that it can harm the liver. Feed 1 cup or less, twice daily.
Corn oil is an excellent high-calorie source of digestible fat for horses. Start with 1/4 cup daily poured over grain. Increase very gradually to a maximum of one cup daily.
Vegetable oil is a highly palatable energy source for horses as well as a coat enhancer. I have found that mixing it with molasses helps horses enjoy it even more, plus making powdered supplements acceptable.
If you are adding oil as a boost for energy (studies have shown that endurance horses tire less quickly on a vegetable oil supplement): add 1 cup morning and evening.
