Fat is a 2.25 times more concentrated energy source than carbohydrates.

 Fats are necessary in a horse's diet in order to absorb fat-soluble vitamins  It also provide linoleic acid, which is the essential fatty acid.  The use of fats also improves hair coat

 It increases the energy of a horse without increasing the amount of feed  Fats have also shown to have an effect on reproduction.  It also provides body heat and carries some vitamins.

 Fats are supplemented as either tallow which is animal fat.  The fat is more commonly supplemented in vegetable fat, like corn oil.

 Fats exist in the triglycerides.  Triglycerides are broken down into three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule.  The fats are then absorbed into the small intestine.  When carbohydrates are not readily avali, the body looks for something else to burn.  The body moves to the energy provided by the fats and burns that off.

 Saturated Fats 2 hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon.  Saturated fat is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acid radicals  Oxidation or hydrolysis will cause saturated fatty acids to become rancid.  Causing bad flavors and/ or odors in the feed.  The bad flavor and/or odor reduces the value of the feed since it is less palatable.

 Unsaturated Fats Also known as essential fatty acids (EFA) because they are considered to be necessary for good health.  Rations fed on farms usually have enough EFAs to meet the need of a horse.  Digestion will separate the EFAs from glycerol molecules.  Fatty acids are then absorbed into the bloodstream where it is distributed to parts of the body and combined with glycerol to form fat.  The fat deposits in the muscle tissues, this is called marling.  The fat stored in fatty tissues, or adipose, contains reserved energy that the horse will use to stay alive if the feed supply was cut off.

 If you feed the horse too much fatty foods, the horse will become overweight and unhealthy. Making death and illness more likely to occur.

 If the horse is not fed enough fatty foods, the horse will become unhealthy. The horse will be very skinny and make death and illness more likely to occur.