Hippodan - FAQ

Click on the questions to see the answers

1. What can I use Hippodan for?

2. How do I store Hippodan?

3. What ingredients do Hippodan consist of?

4. What are fatty acids and in particular Omega-3 fatty acids?

5. Why are Omega-3 fatty acids important?

6. How much Omega-3 fatty acids does my horse need a day?

7. Are there any trans-fatty acids in Hippodan?

8. How much saturated fat is there in Hippodan?

9. Why is the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids so important?

10. Is there any Omega-9 fatty acids in Hippodan?

11. Will my horse get any antioxidants, if I use Hippodan?

1. What can I use Hippodan for?
   Hippodan is based on natural ingredients and contains no cholesterol. Hippodan may be considered either as a supplement or as a replacement for up to 1 kilo of the coarse fodder given to the horse.
    
2. How do I store Hippodan?
   We recommend that Hippodan is stored in a dark and cold place to maintain the healthy characteristics and at least as far from heating sources as possible.
    
3. What ingredients do Hippodan consist of?
   Hippodan consists of a mixture of oils from flax seeds and rape seeds. The flax seed oil comes from the plant Linum usitassimum, which grows in many places throughout the world such as Europe, Canada and Argentina. The richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids is found in flax seeds. The rape seed oil is extracted from the seeds of Brassica campestris or Brassica napus. Both have very low contents of eruka acids and is used for frying and marinades. Rape seed oil is also used for mayonnaise and other salad dressings. Rape seeds are grown in European countries plus Canada and Australia.
    
4. What are fatty acids and in particular Omega-3 fatty acids?
   Fatty acids are the building stones of all oils and fatty acids. Oils and fatty acids are glycerol and fatty acid remainings. Hormones are being build up by Omega-3 fatty acids and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. They contribute largely to different functions of the body.
    
5. Why are Omega-3 fatty acids so important?
   Omega-3 fatty acids have good influence on the heart musculatur, because they increase the blood flow, improve arterial elasticity, reduce the risk of blood thrombosis and have in general good influence on other cell processes in connection with the heart. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important to foals growth, pregnant mares and general development and sight. An article from September 2003 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" states that Omega-3 fatty acids have very beneficial effects to the development of the central nervous system – also to horses and that 70% of all cerebral cells are developed during mares pregnancy.
    
6. How much Omega-3 fatty acids do my horse need a day?
   Approx 2-3 dl.
    
7. Does Hippodan contain trans-fatty acids?
   Mother Nature leaves vegetable oils with a very little content of trans-fatty acids. The high content of trans-fatty acids in vegetable oils arises when the industrial hardening process gets around them and leaves them hereinafter with a content of trans-fatty acids of 30% and 50%. Hippodan is non-hardened and has only a content of trans fatty acids of 0,7%. Hippodan is therefore in reality almost "trans-fatty acid free".
    
8. How much saturated fat is there in Hippodan?
   Hippodan has a very low content of saturated fatty acids, typically less than 9%.
    
9. Why is the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids so important?
   The Polyunsaturated fatty acids that horses get through their fodder has a disturbed balance, as they get too little Omega-3 fatty acids compared to Omega-6 fatty acids. The result is that the horses produce too much arachidoic acid (AA, C20:4 n-6) and too little eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3). This happens because both Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids make use of the same kind of enzymes upon elongation and desaturation. In this way the horses body produce too much pro-inflammatory hormones.
    
10. Are there any Omega-9 fatty acids in Hippodan?
    Yes both Omega-3, Omega-6 & Omega-9 fatty acids.
    
                                            Omega-3 (w3)        40%
                                            Omega-6 (w6)        17%
                                            Omega-9 (w9)        33%
     
11. Will my horse get enough antioxidants, if I feed it with Hippodan?
    Yes Hippodan contains tocopheroles as a natural ingredient.