FAQs

FAQs

About Wellpride

  • What is Wellpride?

    Produced from fresh and pure human-grade fish oil, Wellpride is an omega-3 supplement for horses that contains effective doses of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

  • How is Wellpride different from other omega 3 supplements for horses?

    Firstly, Wellpride is a pure fish oil that delivers effective dosages of both EPA and DHA, two omega-3 molecules that fight inflammation and promote brain health and fertility. Many equine omega-3 supplements don’t contain any EPA or DHA, or such trace amounts that they don’t make much of a difference at all.

    Wellpride is also a human-grade oil with better oxidation values than many omega-3 oils designed for the human market. This freshness factor also explains why Wellpride has a great taste and smell, making it a smart choice for even the pickiest horses.

  • How can Wellpride help my horse?

    Wellpride delivers effective doses of EPA and DHA, which are crucial for the proper functioning of every cell in your horse’s body. When taken regularly, a quality omega horse supplement can impact a number of areas, including the respiratory system, joints, hooves, skin and coat, stomach, energy levels, and focus.

  • Is Wellpride a good source of energy?

    Absolutely! Wellpride fish oil is a calorically-dense, “cold” source of energy (meaning it will not make a horse unmanageable). Wellpride delivers more energy than corn oil for horses (270 Kcal/ounce). Additionally, due to its high content of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, Wellpride also has the potential to positively impact joint, hoof, coat, gut, and brain health.

  • Can I save money by switching to Wellpride?

    If you’re already spending money on other supplements and pharmaceuticals, you can often scale those back after a period of overlap. (If you are considering scaling back on pharmaceuticals, consult with your veterinarian first.)

    A Real-Life Example:

    One of our employees’  18-year-old horses was dealing with arthritis. After spending $180 each month on double doses of glucosamine supplements, hoof supplements, and all-over joint wellness injections, his owner started using Wellpride. Within four months, the owner and her veterinarian found that most of the previously-used supplements were unnecessary – saving her $60 per month.

    As a major bonus, the horse’s recovery rate was noticeably better after running cross-country, a benefit that the old supplement regime did not provide.

How to Use Wellpride

  • How should Wellpride be given to horses?

    We think that top-dressing feed with Wellpride is the easiest way to give our oil to your horse, but you can also administer a daily dosage directly into your horse’s mouth. Because Wellpride doesn’t smell or taste fishy, even the pickiest horses enjoy it.

    Regardless of your method, our specially-designed bottle allows you to easily measure and pour the recommended daily dose.

  • How long does it take to start seeing results?

    It takes time for the omega-3 fatty acids to be fully absorbed into the cells, and it can take several months to see concrete results. Most horse owners report noticeable changes within 6 to 12 weeks.

    Based on the observations horse owners have shared with us over the years, here’s the typical trajectory you might experience:

    Month 1 

    • Improved coat (especially related to dermatitis and flaky skin)

    Month 2

    • Improved appetite, alertness, and temperament

    Month 3

    • Improved hoof quality
    • Improved joint comfort and mobility
    • Improved fertility

    Remember: These results rely on consistent supplementation and adequate daily doses.

  • Should dosing be adjusted by weight or illness?

    For the average 1000 pound adult horse, the recommended daily maintenance dose of Wellpride is one ounce.

    Just like other supplements and medications, this amount can be adjusted according to the weight of your horse. We recommend the following:

    • Ponies or foals: 3/4 – 1/2 oz.
    • Drafts and other big horses: 1 1/2 – 2 oz.

    Note: Age or infirmity might require higher doses – especially for chronic inflammation – since research shows that the benefits of EPA and DHA are dose-dependent.

  • How long do we need to keep horses on Wellpride?

    Wellpride is not a pill that cures a sickness and then it’s over. Modern equine diets are systemically lacking in omega-3s and overloaded with omega-6s, with no end to this in sight. To keep filling that void and correct the omega-6/omega-3 ratio, you’ll need to keep supplementing your horse with adequate amounts of omega-3s.

  • Are there any contraindications to using Wellpride?

    No. Wellpride is a natural omega 3 supplement which contains no preservatives. It can be used in conjunction with most other medications and supplements.

  • Can you legally use Wellpride for race or competitive horses?

    Even though fish oil works on the same biochemical pathways as many pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. NSAIDs), it is acceptable for any breed or sport to use Wellpride while competing.

  • Is it necessary to keep Wellpride refrigerated?

    You can absolutely store Wellpride in the refrigerator if you’d like. Keeping the container tightly closed in a cool place (out of direct sunlight), however, is normally enough to keep it fresh.

    Once opened and exposed to oxygen, finish your Wellpride bottle within 6 weeks for optimal freshness.

  • Can I give Wellpride to my dog?

    As good as omega-3 fish oil is for your horse, it can provide similar benefits in dogs and other animals. However, you’ll want to adjust the dose accordingly. Learn more about appropriate dosing or speak with your veterinarian.

  • Can humans take Wellpride?

    If you are interested in taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement, we highly recommend trying the products created by Wellpride’s sister company, Omega3 Innovations. From delicious meal replacements to Omega Cure®, the freshest full-spectrum cod liver oil on the market, it’s never been easier to get your daily omega-3 dose every day!

General Questions about Omega 3 and Fish Oil for Horses

  • What are essential fatty acids (EFAs)?

    Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are fatty acids that must be ingested through diet, as the body can’t manufacture them.

    There are two types of EFAs you need to be particularly conscious of: Omega-3 and omega-6. What’s important is the ratio of these fatty acids families to one another. Unfortunately today, most equine diets deliver virtually no omega-3s and scads more omega-6s than necessary.

  • What is the difference between omega-3 and omega-6?

    Both omega-3s and omega-6s are critical for cellular function and the body’s inflammatory response. In simple terms, omega-6s help to promote inflammation while omega-3s work to reduce it. The optimal combination is a balance between the two.

    Today, there is a strong need for omega-3 supplementation due to the modern industrialized diet, which has both decreased in omega-3s and increased in omega-6s.

  • Why does omega-6 promote inflammation?

    When your horse cuts himself or pulls a muscle, he has an inflammatory response resulting in increased heat, redness, swelling, pain and an army of infection-fighting white blood cells. The purpose of this reaction is to eliminate toxic agents, irritants and damaged tissues — a good thing for a brief time. However, the body sometimes gets confused about what signals are harmful, and in some cases, it can start attacking itself, as with arthritis and other auto-immune diseases.

    When omega-6 is not kept in check with a sufficient amount of omega-3, a state of chronic inflammation results. This in turn hastens and worsens inflammation-related symptoms.

  • How does omega-3 control inflammation?

    Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA provide the substrates for important molecules called protectins and resolvins. As their name suggests, these molecules protect against and resolve inflammation. Protectins and resolvins help to shut down the ongoing inflammation in the body, limiting tissue damage.

  • Why is fish oil better than flaxseed?

    Flaxseed for horses (and other plant-based omega-3 sources) only contains short-chain alpha-linolenic acid (also referred to as ALA). This immature omega-3 family member must be converted into the long-chained EPA and DHA fatty acids in order to be utilized by the body.

    Overabundant omega-6s block the transformation of ALA to EPA/DHA, and around 90% of the flaxseed’s omega-3 gets lost in the conversion. If you use fresh fish oil – which already contains EPA and DHA – you can significantly reduce the quantity of oil you use. In fact, by some calculations, you’d have to give your horse about six cups of flaxseed oil to obtain the same amount of EPA found naturally in one ounce of Wellpride.

    Once you calculate the price per dose, a quality fish oil like Wellpride is the easiest and most affordable way for your horse to get sufficient quantities of the right omega-3s.

  • What food sources naturally carry high quantities of omega-3s?

    A variety of plant sources like flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts contain the short-chain ALA omega-3. The only way to ingest the full family of omega-3 fatty acids though (including long-chain EPA and DHA) is through fatty fish, fish oil, breast milk, and certain types of algae.

  • Are commercial horse feeds and supplements omega balanced?

    Most manufactured feeds contain an exorbitant amount of omega-6 and minimal amounts of omega-3. This is because omega-6 oils are stable and inexpensive, while omega-3 oils are more expensive and easily go rancid when exposed to oxygen, making them difficult to include in commercial feeds.

    Quite a few horse supplements are labeled as “omega-balanced” (with a blend of omega-3 and omega-6), but you can only correct this imbalance by adding what you’re missing: effective doses of omega-3.

  • Horses are herbivores. Why should they eat fish?

    Giving your horse Wellpride is not the same as feeding him fish. Wellpride contains only fish oil and zero protein. Secondly, in an attempt to aid genetic and environmental shortfalls, most owners feed their horses ingredients they wouldn’t ingest naturally, like glucosamine made from shrimp shells.

    Because every cell of your horse’s body needs omega-3 fatty acids to function properly, feeding fish oil to your horse is one of the smartest things you can do to support foundational good health.

  • Aren’t ailment-specific omega-3 supplements better for horses?

    Omega-3 oils are some of the most doctor and veterinarian-recommended supplements worldwide, so there have been many attempts to improve upon nature with engineered substances (based on fish oil and other marine sources).

    These supplements generally offer high levels of either EPA or DHA – but not both. Our position is that natural, high-quality fish oil that’s free of over-processing will provide the body with the most benefits. When you isolate and engineer fatty acids, you disrupt important synergies.