HORSE
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The Power of Linseed for Horses 

Read about the nutritional and health benefits of linseed for your horse. A good source of essential fatty acids.

Linseed is a small thick dark brown seed from the flax plant. Horses are fed loose or processed flaxseed in slobber, as well as through concentrate. In concentrate, both flaxseed and flaxseed flakes can be processed. Flaxseed flakes remain after the fat or oil has been removed from the seeds. Linseed flakes have the same effect as linseed. Linseed oil for horses is also available in many pet stores, this can be poured over food and also has the same effect as linseed.

Digestion of horses

Flaxseed is especially important for foals and mature horses. Flaxseed contains high protein and is a rich source of essential fatty acids (such as lysine). These fatty acids play an important role in producing a strong kidney and bone system. Lysine is an amino acid that humans and animals cannot make themselves, so they must get it from the diet. Flaxseed also helps with shedding, provides a shiny coat and improves digestion.

A little vegetable oil has the same effect on horses’ fur and digestion as flaxseed. Read more about: vegetable oil

Linseed is the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids for horses of the plant nutrients. Horses benefit from a supplement of omega-3 fatty acids to achieve a better balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. When these fatty acids are present in a proper ratio, it can have a positive effect on the skin and feather system. The proper ratio is 2: 1 (omega-3: omega-6). Be sure not to give too much flaxseed to the horse, or there will be a deficiency of omega-6.

Cooking linseed

Besides these positive properties, there is also a disadvantage of flaxseed. The seeds contain the substance linamarin, which is converted into the toxic compound hydrocyanic acid during digestion. Hydrocyanic acid is toxic because it interferes with the transport of oxygen through the blood. Therefore, for horses, fennicle seeds must always be boiled before flaxseed can be fed to horses.

Boiling linseed converts its linamine to prussic acid, but the prussic acid immediately evaporates into the air and therefore does not decay in the linseed. Flaxseed should be boiled for about 10 minutes. You can also pour boiling water on the flaxseed and cool it to room temperature. While boiling flaxseed, the structure also disappears and develops a slimy mass that can be constipated for horses. The mucus prevents constipation because it makes a kind of layer on the intestinal wall.

Hartog does not process linseed in its roughage but Molashine. This is a mixture of molasses and vegetable oil. Molashine is processed Hartog Lucerne mix and Grass mix.

Below is an overview of Hartog’s concentrate products in which linseed is processed.

Product Energy Strength Condition Recovery
Linseed(%) 2,5% 1,7% 5% 10%

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