I could use some input on feeding flax to my girls (four mares - two older, two younger). All four are getting one cup of alfalfa pellets (roughly 1/2 lb) per twice-daily feeding, the two air ferns are getting just that, but the other two (yearling filly and my riding mare) are also getting the weight-appropriate amount of Triple Crown 30% Ration Balancer. I bought a bag of TC Ground Flax as well, after reading on here how beneficial it can be. I have added it to each feeding, but one mare (air fern) won’t eat it. That’s fine, she’s not usually picky but whatever. The other three love it, but at various times I have noticed all three having what I can only describe as “trouble” with eating it - in that that they quit eating about halfway through the meal, stand there occasionally licking and swallowing, until apparently whatever was bothering them clears enough for them to be comfortable enough to finish eating. They aren’t, or don’t act like they are, choking, per se, just… I don’t know exactly, I’m guessing that maybe it packs in their mouth or something since it seems to really get gooey when it’s wet? I have tried varying the amounts I’m feeding, thinking maybe it was just too much, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I have also tried grinding the alfalfa pellets, as they are kinda big and hard (Standlee is the brand), thinking that would keep it from making a glob, but that didn’t change anything either.
If it was just one horse, I would suspect something with their teeth, but all three have done it - though not all at once, and not all the time. It’s just rather odd and I am not sure what to think. I’ve considered soaking it all, but that’s a time suck in the mornings that I just can’t afford. So right now I’m not feeding it at all, and no one is having any issues.
Really just curious if anyone else has noticed their horses doing anything similar? I’d like to resume feeding it, especially for one mare that has some skin issues - but I don’t know if what I’m seeing is normal, and more importantly, if it’s making them uncomfortable. Any suggestions will be appreciated!