Flax
(Flaxseed - Linseed)
(Linium
usitatissium)
During my travels I have found Flax seed in most reputable stables in Europe
as well as in the States. In the past the flax was fed only as a part of bran
mash and never by itself as it became more fashionable lately. The seed is too
small for chewing and most of it goes undigested through the system, not to
mention that it is toxic, especially when fed in larger doses. I have also
noticed that when flax is fed not soaked and not boiled it did not have the mild
laxative effect and the contrary was true as I could observed tighter feces in
horses than
if the flax was not fed at all (even in small amounts); hence I do not recommend the flaxseed to be fed on daily basis and
un-boiled, not even in small amounts. It is best if the flaxseed (linseed) is soaked (2-6
hours) in cold water and then boiled (simmered) 30 or more minutes in order to
get all its benefits, as well as, to destroy the toxic prussic acid it contains. During boiling it absorbs a lot of water and becomes "jelly". The most
important part of the flaxseed and why it is fed is the soluble fiber, which becomes
gelatinous when exposed to water (similar to psyllium). It is helpful in preventing
impaction and sand colic as the fiber swells and the gel like consistency traps
and suspends sand, bringing it out of the system. It is therefore the main
ingredient when feeding a bran mash on regular basis of which one main reason is
the prevention of colic. The fiber is also rich in substances believed
to be linked to the cancer fighting effects of a high fiber diet. It also has
anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties hence it is/was used also
as
poultice.
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Flax is the blue flowered plant that produces small, shiny brown seeds called linseeds or flax.
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People
today are more and more obsessed with feeding supplement for a shiny coat;
completely forgetting that shiny hair coat on the horse should be the
result of good health and care and not a result of supplements. Many
people are feeding the flax seed as well as flaxseed oil (linseed oil) to
horses mainly for shiny coats while completely ignoring the real value of
the flax as a part of mash. I am personally opposed to the feeding of flaxseed on
daily basis as well as feeding the linseed oil, the latter I do not
recommend since it is not the same as boiled flaxseed and does not exhibit
the same values for which the flaxseed is fed. Feeding the flaxseed as a
part of mash once or twice per week produces excellent results as I could
witness from my many past experiences (e.g. racing stable in Germany 100
horses, in three years not one case of colic, no dry cracked hoofs, over
all excellent health, mash fed once per week).
Flaxseed
also has high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic
acid. Horses need a minimum level of key fats to maintain good health.
These essential fatty acids are Omega 3 and Omega 6. A horse cannot
produce these fats in their body, thus they are an essential part of his
diet.
Recommendations: |
Nutritional values: 22 – 26% crude protein, 18 MJ DE/kg, 7% fiber, 31%
oil, mild laxative, antioxidants, Omega 3 fatty acids, anti-viral, anti-fungal
and anti-bacterial, decreases recovery time from strenuous exercise (mash fed
after strenuous exercise), improves hoof condition, relieve arthritic and
inflammatory pain, keeps less desirable saturated fats mobile in the blood
stream, increases oxygen uptake to the cell, improved skin and coat condition,
valuable source of energy (great to feed during the cold months – mash fed
twice per week, or during times of stress to prevent weight loss)
