Benefits of adding oil to feed???

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Jenny Wrenny

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Just wondered what the benefits are of adding oil to horse's feed and wondered what people's experiences are?

I have an ID mare who in the summer is a very good doer. She is currently clipped, rugged up and living out 24/7 with plenty of natural shelter. She is always lovely and warm and loves to be out but she will soon start coming in at nights. She is in full work and hunting. She looks in very good condition and is fit and lean. She is currently on high fibre grass nuts with a few carrots thrown in twice a day and hay morning and night although she often leaves the hay to continue grazing. With it being the beginning of winter, I would really like her to put a little bit more condition on. She is not thin by any means but I don't want her to get any leaner. She does not need any more energy than she already has and I seem to think that adding a splash of oil to her feed would gently add a bit of condition without wizzing her up. Also, what oil is best to add - sunflower oil from the supermarket or linseed oil from the feed merchant?

Any advice appreciated, thank you.
 
I would go for micronized linseed rather than oil, it will be easier to add more if required without putting them off the feed which oil can do if you need to give them extra, a splash will make very little difference to her condition, you would probably need to be giving half a mug full to see improvement if not more and it needs to be well soaked up by something to get them eating it.
Linseed oil is a bit strong tasting and some will not eat it.
 
Thank you, I have just had a quick read about micronised linseed and it seems as though it will be just right for her - adding the condition but without heating, plus I won't have the mess of faffing around with oil. I'll get some this afternoon and introduce it gradually. :)
 
Hopefully it will be successful for you. Works on all of mine one of which only has a cupful with a handful of chaff/bran plus adlib hay. It puts a wonderful skin on them.
 
I've fed sunflower oil bought at the supermarket. I introduce it slowly and have fed up to a teacup in a feed without any problems. It was great for adding condition without fizzing them up and their skin was lovely.
 
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