Pumpkin Seed Oil - Feed Ingredient

Pumpkin seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) using cold-pressing or solvent extraction methods. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid (omega-9), along with phytosterols, tocopherols (vitamin E), and other antioxidants.

In equine nutrition, pumpkin seed oil may be used as a source of dietary fat and plant-based compounds in specialty feeds or supplements. However, it is important to note that pumpkin seed oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and contains little to no omega-3. Since horses typically benefit from a balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, excessive inclusion of omega-6-rich oils without adequate omega-3 sources (e.g., flaxseed or fish oil) may disrupt this balance.