Reactions to feeding Linseed

[onemoretime]

As the previous thread was removed for God knows what reason!!! I thought I would start another one.

Has anyone else had their horse go hyper after feeding either micronised linseed or any other form of linseed. I have heard from one or two people that their horses became spooky and silly when fed linseed and would just like to hear from anyone else who may have experienced this problem.

 

[Capriole]

the other thread hasnt been deleted, I linked to it in your other thread http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=561598

 

[onemoretime]

Hi Capriole thanks for that. I did a search and couldn't find it and stupidly assumed it had been removed, though could not understand why. I must be going senile!!!

 

[eriskaydales]

Eek, I hope not, just ordered a bag of micronised linseed for our four. Have never heard of horses being silly on it.

 

[Rose Folly]

Never had any reactions and have been feeding my horses linseed (home cooked variety) for decades. Horses' behaviour has never changed in the least - it's all about glossy coats, condition, and joint-ease and I'd recommend it to anyone.

I suppose it might have side effects if you fed a huge amount. My horses get the equivalent of about one third to one half a pint (cooked) in their morning and night feeds in winter. I would only feed it in the summer if I had a convalescent or skinny horse.

 

[4x4]

Just a comment here - it is VERY high in proteins so if you were feeding it a horse that didn't need it - could be the straw that breaks the camels back - however, I've never had a problem with it and I feed a mug per day per horse.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Just a comment here - it is VERY high in proteins so if you were feeding it a horse that didn't need it - could be the straw that breaks the camels back - however, I've never had a problem with it and I feed a mug per day per horse.

Yes that is interesting. My WB reacted badly to being fed copra which has a 21% protein content, but I thought that linseed would be ok as I was only feeding a couple of mug fulls a day in winter with chaff. It figures though that his summer temperament is much sweeter than his winter one and the only difference is the feeding. Maybe I will not feed linseed this winter.

 

[TwoStroke]

No, fed linseed to 3 horses so far and no probs. I shovelled it into my TB last winter with no negative reaction at all.

 

[TigerTail]

Depending how big your mug is thats quite a lot! Mine have never had more than one level cupful and that was the winter it was -15 for 3 weeks

Just feed half a cup and see what happens!

 

[YasandCrystal]

Depending how big your mug is thats quite a lot! Mine have never had more than one level cupful and that was the winter it was -15 for 3 weeks

Just feed half a cup and see what happens!

Yes when I say 2 mugfuls - actually I used a tea cup and gave 1 twice a day probably the equivalent of 250 - 400 mg per day. The problem is my horse has a history of abuse and chronic pain and he was aggressive, so I want to retain his sweet current nature.
Last winter he was turned away,, but still had some grumpy moments, which makes me wonder if he can't handle the protein. He is already on a sugar and cereal free diet. He has just come back into work and I don't want him to revert in any way now, so I may shift to oil instead and up his carob and feed unmolassed beet also.
I was trying to be clever this winter and feed my herd the same stuff just in varying quantities as I have a native youngster and a good doer and a laminitic and the WB who is not such a good doer and I know linseed if good for gut health also.

 

[AmyMay]

Remember, linseed was traditionally fed as part of a feed ration to horses who were in hard work.

And I've only ever fed it when a horse was hunting. Otherwise for condition and gloss I've always just added a splash of corn oil to the feed.