Effects of Crude Rice Bran Oil and a Flaxseed Oil Blend in Young Horses Engaged in a Training Program

Simple Summary Rice bran oil and flaxseed oil contain omega-3 fatty acids with the potential to reduce post-exercise inflammation and muscle damage. This study measures interleukin-1 beta and creatine kinase concentrations and fatty acid profiles in lightly worked, young horses undergoing a 16-min incremental exercise test after 60 days of oil consumption. Consuming crude rice bran oil or flaxseed oil for 60 days may benefit lightly worked, young horses by reducing training-program-related increases in interleukin-1 beta, while a flaxseed oil blend may reduce exercise-induced increases in creatine kinase. Additionally, the flaxseed oil blend has the potential to increase plasma omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Rice bran oil and flaxseed oil contain omega-3 fatty acids with the potential to reduce post-exercise inflammation and muscle damage. This study measures plasma interleukin-1 beta and creatine kinase and fatty acid profiles in lightly worked, young horses (Equus caballus) undergoing an exercise test after 60 days (d) of oil consumption, where the oil replaced 25% of concentrate calories. Treatments consisted of CON (no oil), FLAX (flaxseed oil blend), and RICE (crude rice bran oil). Blood was collected pre-exercise, and again at 1 min, 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-IET. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Plasma creatine kinase activity was not different in CON during the study, greater (p < 0.05) in RICE from pre-exercise to 30 min post-exercise across all exercise tests, and lesser (p < 0.05) in FLAX at 30 min post-exercise on d 30 compared to d 0. Plasma interleukin-1 beta was greater (p < 0.01) in CON on d 60, but no differences were observed in FLAX and RICE throughout the study. Plasma alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids were greatest (p < 0.05) in FLAX after 30 d of inclusion, while CON horses had greater (p < 0.05) EPA across all exercise tests and DHA after 60 d. These results indicate that 60 d of inclusion of crude rice bran oil or a flaxseed oil blend may benefit lightly worked, young horses by reducing training-program-related increases in interleukin-1 beta, while a flaxseed oil blend may reduce exercise-induced increases in creatine kinase. Additionally, the flaxseed oil blend has the potential to increase plasma omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Replacing 25% of concentrate calories with flaxseed or rice bran oil has potential benefits for young horses in training.