Articles

Understanding the omega-3 gap in modern equine diets

These articles explain the biological and nutritional framework behind Synaxis — including how modern forage differs from natural grazing, why ALA conversion matters, and why EPA and DHA play distinct roles in cellular function.

Read them in sequence for the clearest overview, or use the sections below to explore a specific part of the framework.

Foundations

The biological and dietary context for the omega-3 gap — how the modern equine diet differs from natural grazing, and what the shift from pasture to preserved forage means for omega-3 availability.

Why the form of omega-3 you feed determines whether it works

The diet most horses ate for thousands of years — and what changed

What happens to omega-3 when grass becomes hay

Fatty acid biology

How ALA, EPA, and DHA differ structurally and functionally — why they are not interchangeable, and what limits the body's ability to produce EPA and DHA from plant-based omega-3 sources.

Why feeding linseed makes sense for coat — and what it doesn't do

The difference between ALA and EPA/DHA — why it's not just chemistry

The conversion step horses depend on — and why it often falls short