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In recent years, the popularity of hemp as a feed supplement for horses has been growing remarkably. Although it belongs to the cannabis family, hemp is most commonly known as an industrial plant for textiles, rope, clothes, paper, plastics, biofuels, animal bedding, and sail canvases. Its seeds, oil, and leaves are all food and feed options, and hemp has found its way into the equine industry as an excellent nutritional supplement.

“As horse owners, we had been using hemp products for over two years,” says Erin Sawley, co-owner of Elite Three. “The benefits and results that we were seeing were nothing short of amazing. We found that feeding and supplementing horses was becoming very complicated, very costly, and very confusing. We like how simple hemp products were to feed and how clean the products were.”

They worked with the products for two years before deciding to launch Elite Three in March 2017. Their flagship product is the Premium Cold Pressed Hemp Oil. Elite Body Builder and Elite Super Cool rounded out the trio of products that launched the company.

“We later introduced the E5 Evolve Hemp Hulls which have been an absolute game-changing supplement for a lot of our customers,” she says. “We now offer six products for horses and a complete supplement line for dogs.”

The oil, obtained from the hemp seeds, contains an ideal balance of Omega-3, -6, and -9. For horses, hemp is the most readily digested of any plant-based protein and the cold pressing process preserves antioxidant and vitamin content.

“The Elite Three Hemp Oil and Elite Three HP Plus provide an excellent source of Omega-3, -6 and -9 that everyone is looking for in their equine diets,” she says. “What really sets us apart is Gamma Linolenic Acid - not commonly found in other oils. Elite Three Hemp Oil and HP Plus boast the highest GLA of any product on the market and is known specifically for its anti-inflammatory properties. Elite Super Cool and Elite Body Builder help to maintain a healthy digestive system, which veterinarians and scientists now know is one of the most important parts of the horse.

Hemp’s highly digestible protein produces mucus in the stomach and GI tract while providing terpenes and amino acids for calming and muscle and tissue growth. The E5 Evolve Hemp Hulls provide the highest terpenes of any of our products - with overall health benefits - specifically with circulation and relaxation.”

Elite Three works exclusively with a Canadian processing facility that sources products specifically for Elite Three, and specifically for horses and dogs. They aim for maximum quality, palatability, absorption, and effectiveness. 

Eventer Kelly Stasiuk of Calgary, AB, is an Elite Three distributor.

Cutter Steven Neville of Ottawa, ON, is an Elite Three distributor for Ontario and Quebec.

Elite Three distributor Jen Macpherson of Mactaquac, NB, operates a hunter/jumper barn with her husband Peter.

Jaydan Stettner is a member of the Elite Three Youth Performance Team.

“Elite Three products have been an amazing addition to my program, and now I have all of my client horses on them as well.” – Shannon Peters, grand prix dressage rider and coach.

The company runs on the basis of having independent distributors across the country. Through them, they get to know their clients and what their horses need. As anyone knows, horses are not a one-size-fits-all. “Understanding what a horse really needs helps us tailor the best program for our customers.”

For more information, check out the Elite Three website. There is a very useful FAQ section that answers a lot of questions many customers have. 

Information and photos contributed by Elite Three.

Photos: iStock/GlobalP