Micronised / Cooked Linseed vs Linseed Oil

SaffronWelshDragon

SaffronWelshDragon

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Just thinking about adding linseed to Saf's diet, a lot of unshod peeps seem to be into it, but wondered what the actual benefits are?

Saffron is 18, worked nearly every day for about 30 mins schooling and jumping, or out hacking for 1 - 1.5hours. She's a good doer and currently having a small amount of speedi-beet and Equimins Advance Complete.

Normally I'd go to a feed company and ask this, but I know they're like to tell me to feed it regardless of whether she needs it. Also wondering what the difference is between micronised linseed and linseed oil, as the oil seems to be cheaper.

Thanks muchly!
 
I don't think the oil is cheaper, I buy 50/100 days supply from equimins, costing £25 , it is less processed [think big Macs] and includes fibre.
It is good for skin, hooves, gut and energy.
The barefoot diet [as adopted by some feed people] is hi fibre lo sugar with oils and minerals.
 
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my understanding is the benefit is that the nutritional makeup is not dissimilar to grass, but without the high sugar risks of grass. So it can be a good choice for those who need to put condition and shine onto a horse but darent allow it a lot of Dr Green Grass due to a high risk of lami in that horse.

might be wrong but thats my understanding.

NB the micronised linseed is better as prev poster says as it has all the fibre n stuff in it (micronisation just makes it easy for the horses system to digest and use it). Bit like a whole orange being better for you than a glass of OJ. Both good, but one more good.
 
Thanks guys, let me get this straight, Equimins say 1 litre of oil £5.25 lasts 30-60 days and 3kg meal £8.95 lasts approx 42 days.

So there isn't any different between oil and meal really, other than the price which looks odd.
 
Works out much cheaper to buy the micronised linseed from Charnwood Mill (google for website) - under half the price you quote (per kg) even with postage added but it does come in a 20kg sack!
 
Raw freshly ground linseed will supply Omega Oils for joints as well as for a shiny coat. Also believed to be benificial to horses with ulcers.
MAximum you can feed is one cupful per day to a horse, smaller amounts to a pony. Freshly ground will only keep for a few days in the fridge before becoming rancid. A small coffee grinder does a great job.

Boiled Linseed can be fed in far larger quantities so great to feed if you want to use it to fatten a horse.

Micronised is not something I'm familiar with as we don't get it here in NZ

Flaked Linseed has been pressed to remove a large amount of the oil (used for the production of paint) so can be fed in larger quantities.
 
If you want the Micronised Linseed try Skeggs Farm in Writtle it's £16 per bag and is the Charwood Mill 20g bag. I travel from Witham to get it because its so cheap.
I feed it to help with gut, hooves, shine, also for his stiff clicky legs and his weight.
I think Linseed is great stuff - its in most feeds.
 
Thanks Tnavas :)

DosyMare - thanks for that, sounds really idea for me, might be back to ask for directions if I can't find it on the map. Wondered whether it would be good for joints, as due to her age, plus we do a lot of work though she's not showing signs of trouble, it's nice to add a little to help her :)

Edit: Is this it? http://www.thorogoods.co.uk/
 
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The oil does not stay fresh for long. You must refrigerate it but you can only buy it unrefrigerated... Has it already gone off?

The whole, micronised version can be kept for longer in a cool place. It is then a whole food and nothing is taken out, not even the goodness of the fibre.
 
SaffronWelshCob said:
Thanks Tnavas :)

DosyMare - thanks for that, sounds really idea for me, might be back to ask for directions if I can't find it on the map. Wondered whether it would be good for joints, as due to her age, plus we do a lot of work though she's not showing signs of trouble, it's nice to add a little to help her :)

Edit: Is this it? http://www.thorogoods.co.uk/
Click to expand...

Yes that's the one. Its exactly the same one, i dont know why its so cheap. You need to call in advance to make sure they have in stock (they always have when i ve got mine). Its normally £22 plus £6 deliverly. The woodchip is nice and cheap too.

Simple Systems also sell one which is much more expensive.

Yes I use glucosemine and linseed to help with my boys joints.
 
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Have been a great fan of straight linseed, soaked and then boiled at home, for years. It's dirt cheap, lasts for ages, is very very palatable, and works wonders for horses with creaky joints and crumbly feet, apart from the obvious benefits of putting condition on, shiny coats and encouraging luxuriant manes and tails.

Some of my liveries who used the other sorts converted after seeing mine - the downside is of course that you have to cook it, but if you have an Aga/Rayburn or like it's no problem. Just shove it in the bottom oven overnight once its come to the boil.

It's also easily available from most good horse or general feed stores in UK.
 
great thanks, theyre on fast fibre and a wee bit chaff,have been looking at getting it but didnt want to feed if it will make them.fatter!!
 
The oil isn't cheaper! It's about £15 for 3 litres which would last about a month - 2 max. I can get micronised linseed for £18 a bag which lasts me 4 months fed at 1 heaped mug full a day for a 17.2hh horse...
 
I've got the big Charnwood sack of linseed and I keep mine in an old chest freezer on my yard, it's been fine so far and lasts approximately 4 months for my 15 hand cob. Costs me £21 a bag though! :o
 
Ahh this has been a very useful thread! Was thinking of putting my mare on linseed as she has "creaky" joints. Thankyou for the link :D
Although- my mare is 15hh. How much is half a cup?
 
I opted for the micronised version not the oil as it makes more sense to feed the 'whole' product and get the benefit e.g additional fibre.
Its been really good for my boy (22yrs) - coat is fantastic (he lives out, I think it helps with the weather proofing and it cured his scurfy heels), hooves better, kept weight better last winter and have continued through summer with no problems weight wise, and it definitely helps with older joints.
 
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