Linseed help/advice please

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basilbrush2009

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Heard lots of people on here that feed there horses Linseed or micronised linseed

Please can someone explain all about it

IE: different types, why they feed it. what it does ect

I have only heard of it on here to be honest (dont slate me for that please just being honest):o
So would like to expand my knowldge as always
 
Linseed needs to be cooked before feeding otherwise you'll be poisoning your horse. Micronised lindeed is ready cooked so doesn't.

Its rich in Omega 3 and 6 and is great for hoof health, joint and gut lubrication and skin and coat condition... can also be used to add condition if fed at inreased quantities but generally a mug-full a day is fine for a large horse :)
 
There is some debate about whether linseed really needs to be cooked, and a lot of people in the USA and Australia feed it whole or ground uncooked without any problems (http://www.understanding-horse-nutrition.com/flax-seed.html) . I wouldn't risk it myself though, so I use micronised.

Its not just that its rich in "the Omega's" (though that is absolutely true), it has the right ratio of them (4:1, same as grass), whereas fish oil etc has higher amounts of the (pro-inflammatory) 6 and less of the (anti-inflammatory) 3. Omega 3 is destroyed by curing grass to make hay / haylage so I feed linseed whenever my horse is getting primarily hay and almost no grass.
 
I've just started my TB on micronised linseed.
Ordered it from Charnwood Milling. I feed it straight from the bag along with fast fibre and chaff (soon to be unmollassed!) to help him grow a better hoof while keeping weight on.
So far so good, and smells amazing!
 
I feed micronised linseed.

To add to the info already posted (though I do not claim to be a feeding expert, just read this info online on various sites) that it's non heating and safe for the lami prone :)
 
I feed 3 mugs micronised linseed (can feed straight no boiling or anything) a day to add weight and improve his coat as hes been very lacking in condition this winter.
 
My local feed store won't order micronised linseed but they can get "linseed lozanges(?)" which have to be soaked.

Anybody heard of these? Are they any good?
Don't have a problem soaking as I do speedibeet everyday.
 
I feed mine micronised linseed along with Fast Fibre and Liquorice root.

I put mine on it for the Omega oils as she had a stifle joint problem, she has a nice glossy coat and has put on loads on condition since she has been fed it. I really like it. The yard cat seems to like it too :o he keeps pinching Ruby's!
 
Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
My local feed store won't order micronised linseed but they can get "linseed lozanges(?)" which have to be soaked.

Anybody heard of these? Are they any good?
Don't have a problem soaking as I do speedibeet everyday.
Click to expand...

lozanges are whats left after the oil has been extracted etc (so I'm told, not an expert) and they are usually molassed. I'd suggest you dont bother with them. they dont need soaking I dont think.
if you want micronised then you can order it on line.
My feed store only has lozanges or oil.
so my question is , is the oil as good as micronised?:confused:
 
How much microlised (charnwood brand) would be a sensible amount for weight gain in a 14.2 companion pony who's not come through the winter as well as I'd like.
There are no feeding guidelines on the sack! I'm giving him 1/3 scoop (stubbs brand) twice a day - can I up this or will it just not get absorbed?
 
Lovescobs said:
.
My feed store only has lozanges or oil.
so my question is , is the oil as good as micronised?:confused:
Click to expand...
No, I don't believe it is if you are wanting the omegas etc. Most oil is extracted using heat which destroys omegas and vitamins (useful in winter and horses on restricted grazing), cold pressed oil is more expensive and has to be refrigerated. If you just want calories the heat extracted oil is fine.

Re linseed being poisonous... it is fed whole or freshly ground in many countries around the world. Horses have acidic stomachs the same as us. In the end it's a personal call. It is widely believed to be poisonous uncooked in UK.
 
basil a lot of us order it direct from charnwood milling, alternatively ask your local feedstore if they order from them at all and then you can avoid the delivery charge :)- ours takes customer orders over a couple of weeks and then when they reach the minimum place and order with Charnwood.
 
amandap said:
No, I don't believe it is if you are wanting the omegas etc. Most oil is extracted using heat which destroys omegas and vitamins (useful in winter and horses on restricted grazing), cold pressed oil is more expensive and has to be refrigerated. If you just want calories the heat extracted oil is fine.

Re linseed being poisonous... it is fed whole or freshly ground in many countries around the world. Horses have acidic stomachs the same as us. In the end it's a personal call. It is widely believed to be poisonous uncooked in UK.
Click to expand...

great thanks, will introduce the micronised next autumn then I think, just needed the calories on one horse this winter (the others being far too fat :D)
 
Thanks for the info on the lozanges.:)

Where's a good feedstore that has a lot of the things talked about here (as well as micronised linseed or where they will order it) where I can have a bit of a browse and read the labels ect.?

Hants, Wilts, Dorset border, New Forest area.
 
Don't think all lozenges are the same either, so are whats left after the processing, but don't think all are, I rang l'ansons about 12 months ago, don't think theres are.
 
I have fed it for hoof condition (previous owner said she gets chips and cracks although they were fine when I got her in Oct) and also skin condition, she gets a sort of semi sweet itch and it improved her dry scurfy skin loads, and her coat was gleaming. It's good all round really, mine is a good doer so I just add a couple of handfuls and it lasted months.

I stopped feeding it because I ran out and the place I get it is far away, but would highly recommend it and plan to get some next time I am over that way. It was 23 pounds a bag for about 20kg whereas the big feed shop near me sells smaller bags for 37 :-O or 5kg simple systems bags for 15 quid!
 
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