I went to my local feed store to buy whole flax yesterday. My vet suggested putting him on 1 cup/ day for allergies and muscle soreness. I have not purchased flaxseed for a while but the last time I did, it was $30/#50 bag. Well, yesterday it was $58!!!
Does anybody know of a more economical way of getting flax? Is this price normal these days?
I buy it in the bulk section at Winco. It is something like 38 cents/pound. I only feed about a quarter of a cup of day though, so I buy it in small amounts. I don’t know if you could get larger bulk amounts like 50 pounds there.
I just purchased a bag of Nutra-flax direct from Horsetech. The price of a 40-lb. sewn bag has increased by $16 since last time I ordered. The weather has seriously messed with farmers. Between too much snow, too much rain, and drought in other places, the price of commodities is going to increase dramatically.
I won’t buy at the feed store. They want close to $9 for a 5# bag, which is just insane. I buy in bulk at Winco as well, but get the 25# lb for $20.
Just got 50# for 39.99, which is about what it’s been running locally.
Do you have some sort of “holistic” vet or something OP? This sounds like woo-woo to me, since I really can’t imagine what biological mechanism would connect the dots between “allergies” and “muscle soreness” and flax. And a CUP of that stuff is going to make him spit out his food. You’ll find about 80% of it in the bottom of the feed pail or spread on the ground.
I’d give him a good, stiff currying and plenty of turnout for the muscles, a dose of Azium as needed for seasonal allergies, and save my money on the flax seed.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8112022]
Do you have some sort of “holistic” vet or something OP? This sounds like woo-woo to me, since I really can’t imagine what biological mechanism would connect the dots between “allergies” and “muscle soreness” and flax. And a CUP of that stuff is going to make him spit out his food. You’ll find about 80% of it in the bottom of the feed pail or spread on the ground.
I’d give him a good, stiff currying and plenty of turnout for the muscles, a dose of Azium as needed for seasonal allergies, and save my money on the flax seed.[/QUOTE]
First, I agree that there are many other “go to’s”. However, in people, 2 components in flaxseed, ALA and lignans, MAY reduce the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses (such as Parkinson’s disease and asthma) by helping block the release of certain pro-inflammatory agents (Fitzpatrick). This is in people and a side benefit, like beta carotene, etc from food. I do not think it is established as an efficacious method of treatment.
I am guessing it is a holistic vet, as well.
My feed store just ordered me 50 pounds for $35. Shop around!
I am not a “supplement” person. However…there is one product I swear by, and that is Omega Horseshine. I had a horse who suffered for 20 years with a horrible insect allergy and heaves. His neck would blister up every summer. Had to give dex for the breathing problems, despite being out 24/7. Long story short, I started this gelding one spring on the Horseshine product, simply because a friend had bought a large bag and said I could try some of it to make my horse “shiney”. Well…that summer was the FIRST summer ever that he did not have trouble with the flies. No bite marks, swelling, or scabs. AND…no breathing problems. The vet said it was remarkable. It was as if the fats in the product made his hair coat so nice, it was impervious to any irritations. The horse also seemed more comfortable in his movements, and at this time, he was 26 years old! Needless to say, after years of corticosteriods every summer…he never needed them again. I kept him on the Horseshine, and every horse I’ve had since then. That is the only supplement I use. It really makes a remarkable difference. Just my 2 cents worth. Oh, also, it’s easily available at Tractor Supply! It has gone up in price…but worth every cent, IMHO.
The added Omega 3 from flax certainly has helped with allergy issues in some horses.
Given its anti-inflammatory properties I wouldn’t be surprised if it helped with muscle soreness, BUT, I’m not quite sure why the vet went with that over, say, magnesium, Vit E, selenium, etc. Can you ask about why flax instead of something else?
What kind of “muscle soreness” is the issue?
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8112022]
Do you have some sort of “holistic” vet or something OP? This sounds like woo-woo to me, since I really can’t imagine what biological mechanism would connect the dots between “allergies” and “muscle soreness” and flax. And a CUP of that stuff is going to make him spit out his food. You’ll find about 80% of it in the bottom of the feed pail or spread on the ground.
I’d give him a good, stiff currying and plenty of turnout for the muscles, a dose of Azium as needed for seasonal allergies, and save my money on the flax seed.[/QUOTE]
Allergies and flax connection?
Omega-3 Fatty acids. Anti-inflammatory.
Not even woo-woo any more.
And my horses find flax very palatable.
In fact, the old lady waits for me to garnish her dinner before she’ll start eating it.
I swear by flax seed. I buy Simply Flax by Manna Pro and feed 4 ounces per day. My big guy’s allergies cleared up and I was able to take him off of other joint supplements. Added pluses are that it has made his coat and skin beautiful and has improved his digestion.
I buy flax seed from Winco as well, but as I recall, it’s 87 cents a pound in my area. Still a bargain for the potential benefits – my mare has been on it for just about a week and I’m already seeing a positive difference in her coat. All she gets is a 1/2 cup per day, so a lot of bang for the buck. The heck with your feed store, hit up the bulk section at Winco or an equivalent market.
I have a pony that would explode in scratches ever summer, but since starting her on flax, this condition has disappeared. I have another mare that is very prone to rain rot, and this condition has also just about disappeared since introducing flax. Anecdotal of course. I also am an Omega Horseshine believer. I was a nonbeliever then a rep gave me a bag and I used it on one horse and saw a big difference in her coat vs. the horse that was on plain flax.
That’s a lot of flax per day, especially not to gradually build up to! I wonder at that price if it’s almost cheaper to just buy a product primarily made from stabilized ground flax (like the Glanzen etc.) rather than the flax itself. You might be able to feed less and get a similar effect. I’ve fed flax in the past and my horses liked and ate it fine but I am not sure any of them would eat a while cup of it in their feed at once. A lot of it would end up left on the bottom of the bucket.
Here in the NW, I just paid $30/50 lbs at the feed store, down from about $36 the time before. My non holistic, non woo woo vet has recommended feeding flax for years, and mine get 1/2 to 1 cup per day. No problem with them eating it, and 1 cup really isn’t that much. They get the flax ground (only because I get annoyed with the whole seeds gluing themselves to everything) and added to their mash meal - some get a little soaked beet pulp, others a soaked low NSC pellet.
ETA in case it isn’t clear, I’m talking about whole flax.
I buy Triple Crown Omega Max (ground, stabilized flax) at my local Southern States feed store - 25 lbs. for $27.99.
https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/supplements/triple-crown-omega-max-omega-3-oils-horse-health/
“Triple Crown Omega Max is a 100% Ground Golden Flax that is processed under a proprietary method to guarantee a shelf life of 2 years. While we continue to learn more about the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, it is widely accepted that they are necessary and beneficial to horses, especially those horses with limited access to green grass. Flaxseed has the highest level of Omega 3 fatty acids next to Fish Oil. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation in horses has been shown to improve immune function, hair and hoof condition, reduce inflammation in exercised horses and may offer some benefits for reduced inflammation due to arthritis for older horses.”
Sigh, it keeps going up here too.
[QUOTE=Liberty;8112873]
I buy Triple Crown Omega Max (ground, stabilized flax) at my local Southern States feed store - 25 lbs. for $27.99.
https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/supplements/triple-crown-omega-max-omega-3-oils-horse-health/
“Triple Crown Omega Max is a 100% Ground Golden Flax that is processed under a proprietary method to guarantee a shelf life of 2 years. While we continue to learn more about the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, it is widely accepted that they are necessary and beneficial to horses, especially those horses with limited access to green grass. Flaxseed has the highest level of Omega 3 fatty acids next to Fish Oil. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation in horses has been shown to improve immune function, hair and hoof condition, reduce inflammation in exercised horses and may offer some benefits for reduced inflammation due to arthritis for older horses.”[/QUOTE]
This is what I feed as well, although my bag (same size) costs $35 in my neck of the woods.
Thank you for all of the price comparisons. I will definitely shop around once I run out. Triple crown isn’t around my area so that isn’t an option. I’ll have to see if manna pro is available. We definitely don’t have a winco. If all else fails, I will go buy the oil since that is 1/3 less than what I just bought!
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