Would somebody be kind enough to explain linseed to me?

ellieplatt

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As title, thinking about adding to my horses diet to help improve his condition and topline.

A couple questions,
Does it heat up a horse?
Does it help top line?
How many times a day/week to feed

Also before and after photos would be awesome!
Thank you :D
 

Rose Folly

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Have used it for years, but am no expert, just a devotee.

No, used jduiciously it shouldn't 'heat up' your horse.

Don't think it'll improve topline. I use it for joint flexibility, stunning lustrous coat, mane and tale, appetizer and overall conditioner.

There are several kinds on the market. I use the old fashioned 'whole' linseed, as it is so much cheaper. But I cook it very gently overnight - it must be cooked. Others grind the linseed up, ro you can buy it ready to use.

For our three horses, living out but on hard feed twice daily, I boil up 3 margarine tub size helpings of linseed in about 4 litres of water. It goes into a lovely gummy slurpy state - a bit like well made stock. I pour it, while still hot, into the horses, bucket of soaked sugar beet. They think it's magic. the 2 gallon bucket of beet + linseed will last 3 days or so.

Give it a try.
 

Oberon

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The horse has no requirement for fat in their diet - except for omega 3 and omega 6.

Think of the magic of Dr Green that puts the lovely bloom on their coat - it's due to the omegas.

With linseed you get that magic, but not the side effect of unpredictable sugar content.

It doesn't heat up horses - it's high sugar/starch, magnesium deficiency, alfalfa or grains that heats up horses.

I'm not sure if there is a feed that can put topline on a horse? Feeding a horse so he is really healthy and then exercise will build topline.

However, if they are not getting the correct amounts of protein (namely limiting proteins) then they will struggle to build the amino acids to feed muscle (think about doing a jigsaw but with some pieces missing).

The only limiting protein that has been studied in depth is lysine. It may be worth considering supplementing with this if the horse is struggling.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L-lysine-...r_Equipment&hash=item415ca8eaf1#ht_1386wt_905

I have heard there has been some success with using whey protein too
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Impact-Wh...upplements&hash=item256a16a5c4#ht_1472wt_1185
 

Tnavas

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Linseed will put a good shine on your horses coat and the Omega Oils will also help the joints only if fed freshly crushed.

Feed around 1 cupful daily - grind in a coffee grinder and feed soon after for maximum benefit.

Top line is developed muscle - it comes from correct work and way of going plus the feeding of protein in the diet - 8-10% maintenance up to 12 - 15% for horses in hard work such as racehorses or those that are deficient inmuscle.

To much protein will be extreted in the urine.
 

amandap

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I think a lot of the 'top line' feeds are high in protein.
I came across this article when looking for opinions on raw linseed before I could obtain micronized, you might find it helpful.
http://www.balancedequine.com.au/nutrition/linseed.html
I feed linseed (micronized not oil) and don't find it heating. You need to feed the whole seed for the full benefits not oil.

Re the safety of uncooked linseed... it's up to individual owners to do their research and make an informed decision. No need to feed it raw in UK with micronized being widely available though.
http://www.charnwood-milling.co.uk/horse_specs/micronized whole linseed.htm

ps.I fed it freshly ground for nearly two years with no apparent problems. :)
 
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Miss L Toe

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Linseed is a herb rather than a cereal crop
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/lifes...ersatile_plant_packed_with_healthy_benefitsis
The small brown seed which has been fed to horses for years, can be boiled into a slippery gruel, which mixed with bran and oats was traditionally fed after hunting.

The seed can be micronised, [infra-red cooking] this releases nutrients but retains fibre [unlike the oil] See Equimins or Charnwood milling

I feed a fibre based diet, ad lib forage plus vitamins and minerals.
I also feed 80gms micronised linseed per day [15.00hh pony type], this will help in three ways
1] healthy skin and hair condition [he tends to be itchy]
2] good quality hoof growth [he is barefoot]
3] oil is good for joints, so I like it in the winter diet [when he is stabled]

I also like my horse to look really well, and this does it for me without excitement as it is a slow release energy source and not a cereal.

Top-line is a modern term for a horse which is well developed, by maturity, good food and work, it can't be "added on" with a cereal based feed, but some manufacturers will promote this idea, to be honest if one feeds more grub than the amount needed for maintenance a horse will put weight on, though some feeds give better results than others.
 

whizzer

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Doesn't heat my horse up & he's very,very feed sensitive. I feed a good big mugful a day. I use it for conditioning,also gives lovely shiny coat. And I believe it can help joints & is beneficial to the stomach lining- I've got a teenage horse that's had gastric ulcers so hopefully it's helping with creaky joints & preventing ulcers! He's been on it a few yrs now can't say it's massively enhanced his topline but otherwise I'm happy with it!
 
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