FAQs
FAQs
The product
What is Synaxis Core?
A liquid omega-3 nutritional supplement for horses and ponies, providing EPA and DHA directly from an algae source in a fixed, verified daily dose.
What are the ingredients?
Schizochytrium sp. algal oil, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO), rosemary extract, vitamin E.
Why are MCT and HOSO included?
Algae-derived omega-3 oil is highly concentrated and polyunsaturated, which means it needs careful handling to maintain potency. The MCT oil serves a dual purpose: it acts as a carrier that supports absorption of DHA and EPA, while also stabilising the blend. High-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) is added in small amounts as an additional antioxidant buffer. Together they ensure every 15ml dose delivers consistent, stable, bioavailable omega-3..
Where does the algae come from?
Schizochytrium microalgae, produced through controlled fermentation in the Netherlands. Not ocean-sourced. Not dependent on fishery stocks.
Is it suitable for all horses and ponies?
Yes. 15ml a day is suitable for most horses and ponies weighing 400 to 600kg. Use 10ml for smaller ponies and 20ml for bigger horses. It can also be fed at double dose rates during periods of higher demand.
How long will a bottle last?
33 days at the standard dose of 15ml a day
50 days at the dose rate of 10ml a day
25 days at the dose rate of 20ml a day.
How should I store Synaxis Core, and how long does it keep?
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, keep the cap secured and use within 90 days.
The vacuum pump is designed to minimise air exposure between uses, which helps protect the oil's stability. Rosemary extract and vitamin E are included as antioxidants for the same reason.
The science
Why not linseed oil?
Linseed provides ALA — a short-chain omega-3 that must be converted into EPA and DHA. Research suggests this conversion may not materially raise DHA levels in horses. Synaxis Core provides EPA and DHA directly.
Why algae rather than fish oil?
Fish accumulate EPA and DHA by eating algae. Algae is the original source. More stable than fish oil, consistent concentration in every batch, and appropriate for an animal that evolved to eat plants.
Does my horse already get omega-3 from grass?
Yes — fresh grass contains ALA, the short-chain form of omega-3. Horses at pasture on good-quality grazing are getting some omega-3 from forage, and this is part of why summer grass has a different effect on omega-3 status than hay.
The limitation is the same as with linseed: ALA requires conversion into EPA and DHA before it can be used in cell membranes, and that conversion is limited in horses. Fresh grass also contains a more favourable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than preserved forage, which supports the conversion pathway to some degree — but does not reliably resolve the DHA gap.
Hay has significantly lower ALA content than fresh grass, and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio worsens with preservation. Horses on hay-based diets for significant parts of the year — which describes most horses in the UK through winter — are unlikely to be meeting long-chain omega-3 requirements from forage alone.
What do DHA and EPA actually do?
DHA is incorporated into cell membranes throughout the body — in neural tissue, the respiratory tract, joint fluid, and skin. It is not a signalling molecule in the conventional sense. Its role is structural: the fatty acid composition of a cell membrane affects how that membrane functions, how receptors within it behave, and how readily inflammatory signals are generated or resolved.
EPA operates differently. It acts upstream in inflammatory signalling pathways, influencing the balance between pro-inflammatory and resolving mediators. Where DHA affects the membrane environment, EPA affects what happens within it.
EPA and DHA are not interchangeable. DHA determines the structural environment in which inflammatory signalling occurs. EPA influences the signalling itself. Supplying both — in the right ratio — addresses the system at two points simultaneously. This is why a deficit in long-chain omega-3 does not produce one specific problem — and why addressing it can influence multiple systems simultaneously from a single nutritional input.
What to expect
When will I see a difference?
Coat and skin condition typically shifts first, within four to six weeks. Respiratory comfort and joint mobility take longer — eight to twelve weeks. These are not acute effects. Consistency of dose matters more than timing.
What if I don't notice anything?
Some effects — membrane composition, inflammatory signalling, plasma fatty acid status — are real but not visible. If you have fed Synaxis Core consistently for twelve weeks and seen no change, contact us. We would rather have that conversation than have you continue spending money on something that is not working.
Does my horse need to stay on it permanently
EPA and DHA status declines when supplementation stops. Most horses in the UK are unlikely to meet long-chain omega-3 requirements from forage alone for at least part of the year. Ongoing supplementation makes more sense than a defined course for many horses.
Can I give a higher dose?
Research found no additional benefit from doubling the dose within the normal protocol — more is not faster. The loading and maintenance doses are set at the level demonstrated to produce measurable biological change.
That said, during periods of greater physiological demand — intense competition, recovery, or increased workload — the body's requirement for EPA and DHA increases. In those circumstances, 20 to 30ml daily makes sense in place of the standard 15ml. What a higher dose will not do is accelerate the incorporation timeline. That is determined by biology, not volume.
Feeding
How do I feed it?
Shake before use. Add 15ml directly onto feed once daily.
Can I feed it alongside other supplements?
Yes. Synaxis Core contains only algal, MCT oil and sunflower oil, and does not interact with other supplements. Check with your vet if your horse is on veterinary medication.
What if my horse refuses it?
The MCT carrier improves palatability. Most horses accept Synaxis Core without difficulty. If reluctant, introduce gradually over a few days by starting with a smaller amount.
Purchasing
What size should I buy?
For a complete first protocol, the Synaxis Core 90 Day Protocol bundle (three 470ml bottles at £135 including delivery) is the recommended starting point. It covers the full loading and maintenance phases and saves £21 versus buying two bottles individually.
The 500ml (£52) suits ongoing supplementation after completing the protocol and can be purchased with a subscription.
What is the difference between one off and subscription?
Subscription saves 5% on the bottle price and includes free postage. Cancel at any time.
What is your returns policy?
Contact us within 30 days of receipt. Unopened products: full refund. Opened products: contact us and we will work with you to find a resolution.
Regulatory
Is Synaxis Core a veterinary medicine?
No. Synaxis Core is a nutritional supplement. It is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any condition. If your horse has a clinical condition, work with your vet.
Is it suitable for competition horses?
Synaxis Core contains five ingredients: Schizochytrium sp. algal oil, MCT oil, sunflower oil, rosemary extract, and vitamin E. All are natural feed ingredients. None are prohibited substances under competition rules. If your governing body requires feed certification, check with them directly before feeding.