Anyone still cook linseed?

[Cortez]

I'm about to start doing this again as it's well nigh impossible to get the micronised linseed here (Ireland). We used to cook up big pots of linseed jelly when I was a kid (50 years ago!) and the horses loved it. Does pong a bit (although I like the smell: V. nostalgic), and you have to be careful not to burn the bottom of the pot, but there's little better than it to put condition on a horse.

Am I alone?

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I used a pressure cooker which I took up to the stable and left it in a haybox ............ simples no burning, no struggling. That was for one horse, but you coululd try boiling with barley, see if it is easier.

 

[Red-1]

I was banned after I welded some to the top of the hob :-(

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I used to, but prob the last time was around 10 yrs ago. I had a baby burco (or succession of them) for doing the barley too.
Gosh, getting all nostalgic now, thanks Cortez

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Gosh that takes me back 40 years and my dad and I using a pan of mums without realising it was one of her best ...and burning the first batch..I can remember the smell now!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Used to cook it in the microwave (usually managed to catch it before it boiled over..), then cycle up to the yard with the linseed jelly in a Tupperware pot in the saddlebag.

I have to say that micronised linseed, if you can get it, is easier .

 

[Cortez]

Well, 1st batch cooked (without any burning, welding or pot ruining, yay!), and the horses absolutely LOVED it! Will be doing this from now on

 

[Auslander]

I love the smell of cooked linseed. No help to you, as you can't get it, but I have discovered that adding bolilng water to micronised linseed gives you a lovely warm linseed jelly. The horses LOVE it!

 

[Cortez]

Well I can't get the micronised stuff, so perhaps we should do a swap?

 

[Goldenstar]

Cortez if you don't need loads a large slow Cooker does the job .

 

[JenHunt]

was just wondering whether a slow cooker would do the job!!

 

[Cortez]

Cortez if you don't need loads a large slow Cooker does the job .

Good idea; will try that this evening!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Does a slow cooker heat the linseed up enough to inactivate the toxins? Thought it had to be properly simmered to be safe?

Am happy to be proved to be overly cautious on that one.

 

[Goldenstar]

You just need to put it on high until it's really hot and then turn down .
If you're in a hurry bring it to the boil on the hob and then stick it in the slow cooker on low .
I once boiled the linseed over inside the hot oven of the Aga the mess was terrible the smell which filled the whole neighbourhood was epic .
I used the slow Cooker for years never had a poisoned horse , I stopped when micronised came along .
I gave my slow cooker to a friend to heat up stones for her hot stone massages as she's beauty therapist and masseur I don't think that slow cooker ,which was a wedding present ever cooked a human meal.

 

[Molasses]

I used to, until micronised became available>
I sympathise with how difficult it is to find in Ireland, an inquiry about micronised linseed will just get you weird looks.
I used to boil whole barley and handfulls of linseed together to make a winter soup. Horses simply adored it and it used to hold the heat so well, a big pot of boiled barley and linseed would sit in feed room and be hot for hours after. Fabulous stuff in winter.

 

[peanut]

there's little better than it to put condition on a horse.

I started my horse on micronised linseed a couple of months ago to help with joints and am having a job keeping her weight down - no speedibeet needed this winter!

 

[turkana]

I also use a slow cooker, I put it on overnight on it's lowest setting, so it's cooked for about 8 hours.
I love the stuff & the horses do really well on it.

 

[foreverhorses]

I bought micronised linseed from
ebay 25kg for £25 delivered,might be worth a look?

 

[Tnavas]

If you're only feeding for coat condition you can grind it up in a Coffee grinder, it usually copes with half a cup at a time though.

If you are feeding more than a cupful of seeds (before cooking) then you'll need to boil it.

I love the smell of Linseed cooking, but my god the mess it makes if it boils over! Almost need to replace the stove.

 

[Lanky Loll]

We add a mug of linseed to the barley we boil - horses go mad for it and helps my TB maintain weight over the winter - we cook it in an old tea urn/boiler in the feedhouse, makes the whole barn smell lovely