Olive Oil for Horses: Feeding It Safely and What It Does
Olive oil for horses is a common kitchen-cupboard question: the bottle is to hand, the horse is a little ribby or dull-coated, and adding a splash of oil to the feed seems sensible. The short version is that horses can eat olive oil, and like any vegetable oil it is a concentrated source of calories. But it is not the oil equine nutritionists usually reach for, it has never been studied in horses on its own, and how much you add matters more than which bottle you pour from. This guide uses university extension services, the National Research Council's nutrient requirements for horses and published equine research to explain what olive oil actually adds, how it compares with the oils commonly fed, how to introduce any oil safely, and when the first call should be to your vet.
Our own oil is pressed for people, not horses: see our Cold-Pressed Single-Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Marrakech (500ml) for your kitchen.
The Short Answer
- Horses can eat olive oil. Like other vegetable oils it is almost pure fat, and University of Minnesota Extension notes that vegetable oils are more than 98% fat and add no other nutrients.
- Fat is energy-dense: Oklahoma State University Extension, drawing on the National Research Council's 2007 requirements, says fat yields about twice the energy of a similar amount of carbohydrate or protein.
- When we searched Europe PMC on 13 October 2026, we found no published study that fed olive oil to horses. Extension guidance is written about vegetable oils in general, usually corn, soybean or canola.
- Olive oil is very low in omega-3: about 0.8 g of alpha-linolenic acid per 100 g in USDA data, against roughly 8% in soybean oil and 11% in canola oil in a University of Tennessee Extension table.
- Any oil should be added slowly; University of Minnesota Extension says horses take about three weeks to adapt to a high-fat diet, and that going too fast can cause greasy droppings or diarrhoea.
- Ask your vet first if your horse is losing weight or has a metabolic or digestive condition. Oil is a feed, not a treatment.
Can Horses Have Olive Oil?
Yes, in moderate amounts, as part of a forage-based diet. Olive oil is a vegetable fat that horses can digest like corn, soybean or canola oil, and it adds calories. It is not specially beneficial to horses, it has not been studied in them on its own, and it is low in omega-3, so it is a usable oil rather than the recommended one.
That last point surprises people who know olive oil as a "healthy" fat for humans. Human nutrition research does not transfer neatly to a horse, which is a grazing herbivore with a large hindgut built to ferment fibre. What matters in an equine diet is energy, the balance of fatty acids, and how the extra fat fits around the hay or grass that should make up most of what the horse eats.
What Olive Oil Actually Adds to a Horse's Diet
The main thing any oil adds is energy. Oklahoma State University Extension's fact sheet on the nutrient needs of horses, based on the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses (2007), says that the breakdown of fat produces about twice the energy of similar amounts of carbohydrate or protein. The same fact sheet lists 16.5 megacalories (Mcal) of digestible energy a day for the maintenance of a mature 1,100 lb (about 500 kg) horse.
To put a cup of olive oil in that context: USDA FoodData Central lists olive oil at 884 kilocalories per 100 g and a cup at 216 g, which comes to roughly 1,900 kilocalories, or about 1.9 Mcal. That is a human food-energy figure, and the digestible energy a horse obtains will not match it exactly, but it shows the scale: one cup is in the region of a tenth of an idle 1,100 lb horse's daily maintenance energy.
University of Minnesota Extension adds two useful points. Typical horse rations already contain about 3–5% fat, and horses can use up to 20% fat in the diet. And because vegetable oils are more than 98% fat, they add calories without protein, vitamins or minerals, so they cannot fix a diet that is short of those.
What about the gut?
Fat also changes what happens further down. In a 2014 study in PLoS One, Dougal and colleagues fed 17 horses a high-fibre diet with no supplement, with a starch-rich supplement and with an oil-rich supplement in turn, and sequenced the bacteria in their faeces. Both supplemented diets were associated with differences in the faecal bacterial community compared with forage alone. The study describes changes; it does not show that they are good or bad for the horse.
How Olive Oil Compares With Other Oils for Horses
The University of Tennessee Extension's newsletter on feeding fat to horses recommends canola and soybean oil because they contain slightly more omega-3 fatty acids than other vegetable oils, while noting that forage, flaxseed and fish oil contain more still. Olive oil is not on its list. Its own profile, from USDA data, is dominated by monounsaturated oleic acid, with little of either polyunsaturated family.
| Oil | Omega-6 (approx. % of the oil) | Omega-3 (approx. % of the oil) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | about 10 (linoleic acid, 9.8 g per 100 g) | under 1 (alpha-linolenic acid, 0.76 g per 100 g) | USDA FoodData Central |
| Canola oil | 21 | 11 | University of Tennessee Extension |
| Soybean oil | 54 | 8 | University of Tennessee Extension |
| Corn oil | 57 | 2 | University of Tennessee Extension |
| Flaxseed | 16 | 57 | University of Tennessee Extension |
Read the table with two caveats. The Tennessee figures come from a feeding-guide table and the olive oil figures from a food-composition database, so they are close comparisons rather than a single laboratory panel. And no one has shown what a given omega-3 intake from oil does for a horse's coat or comfort; the Tennessee newsletter says only that omega-3 fatty acids "may" improve inflammatory response and immune function.
The practical upshot is that olive oil is a perfectly usable source of calories, but if your reason for adding oil is its omega-3 content, it is the wrong bottle. That is a question to settle with your vet or an equine nutritionist rather than at the kitchen cupboard.
How to Feed Olive Oil to a Horse Safely
The extension guidance is written for vegetable oils in general, and it applies to olive oil in the same way. Agree the plan with your vet first; then the steps look like this:
- Start with forage. University of Minnesota Extension says horses need at least 1% of their body weight in roughage such as hay or fresh forage every day, and that most horses should eat about 2%. Oil sits on top of a forage-based diet; it does not replace it.
- Start small and build slowly. University of Minnesota Extension says horses take about three weeks to adapt to a high-fat diet and that going too fast can cause greasy faeces or diarrhoea; the University of Tennessee Extension advises making diet changes gradually over a few weeks.
- Know the usual range. The University of Tennessee Extension describes vegetable oil top-dressed at 1 to 2 cups (8 to 16 oz) a day for most horses, and says that above 2 cups a day, care is needed to make sure all nutrient requirements are still met. Your vet may advise a different amount for your horse.
- Watch the waistline. University of Minnesota Extension warns against providing excess energy, which will result in an obese horse. Weigh-tape or condition-score your horse every couple of weeks and adjust.
- Store it well. The Tennessee newsletter advises storing oils and high-fat feeds in a cool, dry place so they do not go rancid. Do not feed oil that smells stale or "off"; our guide on how to tell if olive oil has gone off explains the checks.
One more practical point: a 500ml bottle of extra virgin olive oil bought for a horse would last a day or two at these amounts, and there is no evidence that its flavour and aroma matter to a horse. That is one reason we would not suggest a premium oil for this job, our own included.
When to Talk to Your Vet First
Oil is a feed, not a fix, and some of the reasons people reach for it need a vet before they need a bottle.
- Weight loss. University of Minnesota Extension notes that health problems are common causes of a horse being underweight and advises consulting a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to find the cause. Adding calories to a horse with an underlying problem can hide it.
- Metabolic concerns. Extra calories are not harmless for every horse. In a 2009 study in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, Carter and colleagues fed 13 geldings twice their maintenance energy for 16 weeks; as the horses gained weight, their insulin sensitivity fell by an average of 71%. For an easy keeper, or a horse with a history of laminitis or a metabolic diagnosis, any extra energy belongs in a plan agreed with your vet.
- Colic, choke or any digestive emergency. Do not reach for olive oil. Call your vet. Nothing in this article is a remedy for colic or any other condition.
- Pregnant mares, youngsters, competition horses and horses on medication. Their requirements and rules are specific, so check any change with your vet first.
What We Don't Know
It is worth being plain about the gaps. We found no controlled study of olive oil in horses, so claims that it gives a better coat, softer hooves or better digestion than other oils are not backed by equine research. The extension advice we drew on treats vegetable oils as a group and names corn, soybean and canola oil, not olive oil. And the comparisons in the table are about fatty-acid content, not demonstrated effects in horses.
The same evidence-first approach runs through our article on black cumin seed for horses, where the equine research is similarly thin, and our guide to olive oil for dogs for owners of smaller animals.
Why Sidr & Stone
We will be straightforward: Sidr & Stone's olive oil is made and sold for people. We do not make, label or market it for horses, we have no equine research of our own, and nothing in this article is a recommendation to feed it to your horse. Where we can help is in your own kitchen.
- Single-estate — Sidr & Stone grows its olives on its own family-owned farm near Marrakech, Morocco, with no blending across origins.
- Rain-fed — no irrigation; the trees take what the season gives.
- Organically grown — no synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides are used (not yet certified; certification is in progress).
- Single harvest — a small, limited batch, picked when the fruit is ready; once it is gone, it is gone until the next harvest.
- Cold-pressed within hours of harvest — to preserve flavour, aroma and polyphenols.
- Unfiltered extra virgin — minimally processed, so a little natural sediment in the bottle is normal.
- 100% natural — one ingredient, olive oil, with nothing added.
- Dark glass with a gold label — a 500ml bottle that protects the oil from light.
- 10% of profits to charity, with fulfilment in the UK, EU, and US.
We will not tell you ours is the best olive oil; that would be exactly the kind of unverified claim this article warns against. What we will say is that it is single-estate Moroccan, rain-fed, organically grown and cold-pressed within hours of harvest, for the table. For what to look for in any bottle you buy for yourself, see our guide to choosing a quality olive oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can horses have olive oil?
Yes. Horses can digest olive oil like other vegetable oils, and it adds calories. It has not been studied in horses on its own and is low in omega-3, so extension services usually suggest canola or soybean oil instead. Check with your vet before changing your horse's diet.
How much olive oil can I give my horse?
There is no olive-oil-specific figure. For vegetable oils in general, the University of Tennessee Extension describes 1 to 2 cups a day for most horses. Your vet can tell you what suits your horse.
Is olive oil good for a horse's coat?
No study has tested olive oil on horses' coats. Many owners add oil hoping for condition and shine, but the extension guidance we read treats oil as an energy source, so a dull coat is worth discussing with your vet.
Is olive oil better than corn or soybean oil for horses?
Not on the evidence available. All are high in calories. Olive oil contains less omega-3 than soybean or canola oil, and less omega-6 than corn or soybean oil, and there are no equine studies comparing them directly.
Is Sidr & Stone olive oil sold for horses?
No. It is made and sold for people. We do not market it for horses or make any claim about its use in animals.
Can I give my horse olive oil for colic?
No. If you suspect colic or choke, call your vet straight away. Olive oil is not a treatment for colic or any other condition.
Where can I buy Sidr & Stone olive oil for cooking?
From our product page, where it is available to pre-order as a limited single-harvest batch for your own kitchen, with fulfilment in the UK, EU, and US.
Is olive oil a medicine?
No. Olive oil is a food, not a medicine. It has a long traditional history — including being honoured in the Prophetic Sunnah — and a substantial body of modern research, particularly around polyphenols, cardiovascular health, and the Mediterranean diet pattern. It can be a worthwhile part of a healthy routine, but it does not cure diseases and is not a substitute for medical care. Be cautious of any olive oil marketed with specific disease-cure claims.
Final Thoughts
Most horses can eat olive oil in moderate amounts, and it is a concentrated source of calories, but it is not a special horse food. It has not been studied in horses on its own, it is low in omega-3, and the extension services that publish feeding advice usually name corn, soybean or canola oil instead. Whatever oil you use, the rules are the same: forage first, build up over about three weeks, keep to sensible amounts, store it well and watch your horse's weight.
Most of all, start with your vet, especially if your horse is losing condition or has any health concern. Keep the good olive oil for your own table. Our Cold-Pressed Single-Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Marrakech (500ml) — single-estate, rain-fed and cold-pressed within hours of harvest — is made for cooking and is available to pre-order as a limited single-harvest batch, with fulfilment in the UK, EU, and US.
Our extra virgin olive oil is grown organically on our own single-estate farm on the plains outside Marrakech: we control every step from tree to bottle, and no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers are used. It is not yet certified organic — certification is in progress, and we will publish it as soon as it comes through.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension (Hathaway M). Providing carbohydrates and fats in your horse's diet. Reviewed 2021. extension.umn.edu. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- University of Minnesota Extension. Caring for the underweight horse. extension.umn.edu. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- University of Minnesota Extension. Using hay in horse diets. extension.umn.edu. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- University of Tennessee Extension. Feeding Fat to Horses: An Alternative to High Grain Diets. Tennessee e-QUINE Report, Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2014. utia.tennessee.edu. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- Freeman DW, Hiney K. Nutrient Needs of Horses (AFS-3997). Oklahoma State University Extension, 2017; based on National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th revised edition (2007). extension.okstate.edu. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- USDA FoodData Central. Oil, olive, salad or cooking (FDC ID 171413, SR Legacy). fdc.nal.usda.gov. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- Dougal K, de la Fuente G, Harris PA, Girdwood SE, Pinloche E, Geor RJ, Nielsen BD, Schott HC, Elzinga S, Newbold CJ. Characterisation of the faecal bacterial community in adult and elderly horses fed a high fibre, high oil or high starch diet using 454 pyrosequencing. PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e87424. PMID: 24504261. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0087424
- Carter RA, McCutcheon LJ, George LA, Smith TL, Frank N, Geor RJ. Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses. Am J Vet Res. 2009;70(10):1250-1258. PMID: 19795940. doi:10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250
Disclaimer: This article summarises university extension guidance, published equine research and food-composition data on feeding vegetable oils to horses at the time of writing; guidance may change, and readers should check current sources. Nothing here is veterinary advice: before changing your horse's diet, and for any sign of illness, colic or weight loss, consult a qualified veterinary surgeon. Sidr & Stone olive oil is made and sold for human use, not as a horse feed or veterinary product. Olive oil is a food, not a medicine, and is not a substitute for medical treatment of any condition. For any health concern of your own, consult a qualified medical professional.