Raw whole linseed vs raw ground?

[MrsNorris]

Have just started feeding my boy raw whole linseed instead of freshly ground raw linseed after reading that it doesn't really make that much difference and grinding every day is such a faff. Didn't muck out last night as in a rush and have found that the poo he made yesterday, which looked completly normal, has been spread out in a thin layer all over his stable, almost as if it has been seived!! Could this be mice/rats going through it to pick out undigested linseeds? Have never come across this before, but obviously if there are loads of undigested seeds in his poo I will go back to grinding it!
Please guys, don't want a debate about raw vs cooked, as I have done extensive research on this and I am very happy to feed it raw. Thanks.

 

[thatsmygirl]

Would the horse be able to digest it properly whole? I would grind it down personally

 

[YasandCrystal]

I thought whole raw linseed was poisonous and you had to cook it hence everyone buying micronised?

 

[Tammytoo]

I also thought raw linseed was poisenous, but it obviously hasn't harmed your horse. I would be genuinely interested to learn more.

It does sound as though your little visitors have discovered that there is now stuff worth eating in his pooh, so perhaps it's back to the faff of grinding. Is there any reason why you don't get the micronised linseed which is ready ground?

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Whole linseed will not kill your horses. Max to be fed though is 2 pds per day. I grind mine. I live in Ireland. The only place I can get whole linseed is in the North or but little bags from the grocery. I can get stabilised flax from a place but 60€ every 2 weeks isn't doable. That's what 6 go through. We don't have Charnwood here. I have to order 10 bags minimal and then shipping is so expensive. Have been feeding it ground for ages.

There is some interesting literature on flax if you google. I don't have time to cut and paste. The bit about boiling is very interesting. Not really the best way to feed actually. But look for it yourselves.

Terri

 

[MrsNorris]

Thanks for the replys everyone, I think it must be going straight through him, but I cant see much in the poo. Have been told that they can digest the whole seeds but the mice must be after something!! Back to grinding meethinks!
There are compounds in linseed which can produce cyanide under certain conditions, but there are the same compounds in many seeds, including apple pips. Modern cultivars of linseed also have far less of these compounds than in years gone by. There is a fair bit of research about it on google, but in the amounts that I feed ie 6oz a day, I feel confident that it is quite safe. Have done it for some years with only good results, personal choice of course. I can buy whole seeds locally very cheaply so it suits me to do that rather than pay twice as much for the micronised.