That’s all. References would be cool. My understanding is they can’t, but no recollection of where I picked that up.
The supplement Source uses whole flax now in their Focus Sr. version. This is from their FAQ page:
When we first developed FOCUS SR, we tried to use ground flax. We quickly determined that it was not stable enough to withstand the rigors of distribution all across the US. At first, it seemed that the only alternative was to use one of the heavily processed flax meals or one with preservatives.
Clearly, Mother Nature does a superb job of protecting the nutritional goodness within the seed hull, but as soon as it is cracked open in the air, it begins to degrade. We had also read that “whole flax” was indigestible. This may be true for people, but it turns out not to be so for horses!
We ran an informal digestibility trial at the Kentucky Equine Research facility. At first, most of the seeds came though whole. However, to our surprise and delight, we found that within a few days, the microflora in the hindgut adjusted, and in less than a week virtually all the seeds were digested.
We made the easy decision then to provide the flax whole, best protected by the seed hull until it’s eaten. You can see for yourself. After a week, you’ll have a very hard time finding an undigested seed!
We think that FOCUS SR is perfect for your old friend! …and so we’ve been told over and over again by the people who have horses who benefit from it so much. It just may be our favorite product!
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That’s interesting! At a previous barn, they kept a coffee grinder in the feed room, and ground the whole flax right before each feeding. As they say in the article, it doesn’t last long after it’s ground / exposed to air.
Yes they can.
They just get more out of ground or “sliced” flax (TC Naturals Flax is actually “sliced” rather than ground, I forget the real term for that, it’s more stable).
So, you can feed a bit more of the whole, grind it at feeding yourself, or buy the “ground” stuff that’s also stabilized.
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I gave up on grinding whole flax when my last barn coffee grinder imploded.
I’ve been feeding whole flax for several years in the mash. Yes, for the first couple of weeks I was getting flax sprouting in the paddock. Now, nothing. I get flax sprouting in the drain where I rinse the mash bucket, but I think everything eaten is digested. In any case, maresy remains slick and shiny.
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I have feed whole flax for a few years too, and have no issues with undigested seeds.
I feed whole fax too. I see a difference in the coat and hooves and there is nothing sprouting in the manure pile or pasture. I would say they can digest it just fine.
My trainer cooks his in a crock pot to soften it before feeding.
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Well things must be different in Florida cause I have big patches of the prettiest blue flax flowers wherever I’ve thrown whole manure. Not that I mind the flowers as they’re very pretty but I usually grind it for that reason, to make sure the
horses get the full benefit.
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Seminole nutritionist told me during phone call in 2004 to buy the stabilized ground flax I ordered the whole. And fed it Thru the winter. Come spring, the manure mountain at that boarding barn was abloom with Cloudy and Callie’s flax that they had not crushed when chewing. Flax made them fat as well.
So I switched to chia seeds More omega3 and no seeds passing thru undigested. Getchia.com in bulk.
Seminole nutritionist told me during phone call in 2004 to buy the stabilized ground flax I ordered the whole. And fed it Thru the winter. Come spring, the manure mountain at that boarding barn was abloom with Cloudy and Callie’s flax that they had not crushed when chewing. Flax made them fat as well.
So I switched to chia seeds More omega3 and no seeds passing thru undigested.
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Getchia dot com
How can ground flax sprout?
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Good point, JB!!
She was told to order the ground flax, but ordered whole flax instead 
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They said they ordered the whole.
You have to read for comprehension - she ordered whole flax. Your question is silly.
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Same experience over ten years with three different horses.
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Ha, I totally missed that part! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
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