Feeding linseed

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Swirlymurphy

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I've a 16.2 TB mare who's lost some topline/condition over the past couple of months. She was on 1 scoop Slow Release Energy Cubes and 1 scoop Alfa A oil twice per day plus ad lib hay coming into the winter, and early November I then started feeding speedibeet as well (1 scoop 2xpd). There was no improvement albeit she didn't lose any more. On the advice of our local feed person, I then changed the cubes to A&P Calm and Condition approx 3 weeks ago.

Looking at HHO, it appears that micronised linseed would be a good addition to her feed but how much should I be feeding? She is a very fussy eater so I will need to introduce it to her slowly. How do you give changes in feed before you would expect to see a change? I'm aware that as I'm seeing her on a daily basis it's quite an effort to see the changes but I'm taking photos regularly so as to have reference points!

Any other suggestions? I need to be careful not to feed too much starch/cereal as she's a chestnut mare who lives up to her reputation if I'm not careful!
 
I feed my living out unrugged fine WB linseed - he gets a cup full of micronized linseed a day in 2 feeds. I basically give him 3 overheaped 50ml spoons a day. I just started on that amount - maybe you should introduce at half measures for a few days. I have to watch my dogs they love it and will scoff his feed if the get a chance :)
My WB is on a cereal and sugar free diet - all he get is adlib hay - locust bean )1 scoop twice daily) this is sweet but contains no sugar and is used in diabetic chocolate and is high in calcium, Alen & Page cereal and sugar intolerant feed - 1 scoop twice daily and hifi lite, magnesium oxide (15ml) a cupful of micronized linseed and No Bute (he has an injury) :) He is a stress head and this regime has him as chilled as can be :)
 
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I've got a feed sensitive,poor doer TB who's had ulcers. I may be wrong but I think the c & c can be quite starchy? I feed a low starch,no cereal,high fibre,high oil based diet which consists of ERS pellets, top spec cubes,speedibeet,conditioning chaff & linseed & he does well on this with no silliness!
I feed a full plastic beaker of linseed but no idea how much it is in weight!
 
Linseed provides the omega oils (the magic of Dr Green without the sugar) so it's great for skin , joints, gut muculage and keeps the moisture balance in the hooves. A cup a day is fine.

I think it's a great idea to switch from 'conditioning feeds' to a more forage based diet.

Horses do much better with forage based feeds rather than a high grain one as fermenting forage is how they gain almost all of their calories....so fibre, fibre, fibre is the way to go ;)
 
Swirlymurphy said:
Looking at HHO, it appears that micronised linseed would be a good addition to her feed but how much should I be feeding?
Click to expand...

My 15.2 is on 2 cups/450gms a day :) He's very feed sensitive but I find this the best thing to keep condition on him without him blowing up (which alfalfa does to him!)
 
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The recommended dosage from a supplier of micro-linseed (Natural Horse Supples, other suppliers are available) is 50-100 grams per day, depending on size.
 
I feed a decent mugful each day and reduce or increase as needed. Earlier in the winter I was feeding haylage too so he needed less of the linseed, but now it's cold again (and I've stopped giving haylage, just hay now, for a variety of reasons) he's having more linseed. Never have a problem getting him to eat it.

ETA - I buy it in 20 or 25kg sacks from Charnwood Milling and horse is a 17hh IDxTB. Generally a v good doer but always drops quite a bit of weight in winter.
 
Thank you all. I've bought it from Charnwood Milling as they were recommended by several people on here. Can't fault their service or prices, so I hope this makes the difference to the mare. This is the first fussy TB I've had for a few years and I'd forgotten how quickly the weight goes!
 
You just reminded me I need to order some more - a bag will usually last my two all winter except when one has to throw a bunch of it out because one is stupid enough to use a glass cup to measure it out with
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Duly ordered - thanks for the heads up;)
 
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