I used Manna Pro’s Simply Flax stabilized ground flax seed for nearly a year and did not see any of the usual good benefits from flax. 
I think you get better results when it’s fresh ground or even fed whole.
We used it, fed it whole - horses had excellent digestibility; flax was super palatable, especially to the vacuums and hoovers. Never saw any undigested hulls in their manure.
It DID make a big difference in their coat quality and sheen: they went from ‘good’ to ‘stunning’.
We don’t feed it anymore because it went up in price several years ago: additionally, most high quality feeds are now replete with high O3 profiles. :yes:
[QUOTE=Texarkana;7515714]
I used Manna Pro’s Simply Flax stabilized ground flax seed for nearly a year and did not see any of the usual good benefits from flax.
I think you get better results when it’s fresh ground or even fed whole.[/QUOTE]
I feed one of my horses micronized linseed and had been feeding it for about 4 months with no difference to her coat. I read somewhere that if you feed a lot of oil you need to give a Vit E supplement to get best results, so i added a Vit E supplement and within four days her coat went silky and shiny. Shes been on it for over a year now and has a lovely coat.
[QUOTE=Rosie10;7515859]
I feed one of my horses micronized linseed and had been feeding it for about 4 months with no difference to her coat. I read somewhere that if you feed a lot of oil you need to give a Vit E supplement to get best results, so i added a Vit E supplement and within four days her coat went silky and shiny. Shes been on it for over a year now and has a lovely coat.[/QUOTE]
That is true, and coincidentally, I do feed a Vit E supplement most of the year.
I have had wonderful results with fresh ground flaxseed in the past. I just don’t think it’s as effective when sold ground and heat stabilized.
I fed my old guy 1 cup a.m. and 1 cup p.m. It made a HUGE difference for him, he gained weight (not easy for a toothless 35 y.o.) and his coat looked fabulous. I just wish I’d found it years before.
I throw a handful in their feed every night…smaller handful for the Morgan than the TWH. Whole flax, I don’t grind it. I get a bag from the feedmill probably three times a year, 38 bucks a bag. Pretty cheap for two horses! Dapples in their winter jammies and slick as oil and dappled in the summer.
[QUOTE=Texarkana;7515884]
I have had wonderful results with fresh ground flaxseed in the past. I just don’t think it’s as effective when sold ground and heat stabilized.[/QUOTE]
Completely agree! Bought 2 bags of the TC preground, stabilized golden flax last year on sale and was disappointed in the results after a couple of months and went back to fresh grinding myself. Yes, TC stuff was easier but that’s the only advantage. It didn’t have that nice smell fresh ground has either.
Any oil or fat, including the fat found in rice bran and corn oil, will improve coat gloss. However, flax and chia are by far the best sources of non-animal derived Omega 3 fatty acids.
5 Facts about Flax
By Kristen M. Janicki, MS, PAS
Mar 30, 2014
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33616/5-facts-about-flax
Flaxseed is quickly becoming a popular nutritional supplement for horses, and many feed companies incorporate this grain as a caloric component in their products. But what exactly is flaxseed and how does it benefit the horse? Here are five things to know about flaxseed.
What is flaxseed? Flaxseed is produced by the flax plant, commonly grown in cool, northern climates, such as North Dakota and Montana. Canada is the No. 1 flaxseed producer due to its ideal climate conditions. Flaxseed is also known as “flax” or “linseed.”
What does flax contain? Flaxseed contains an average of 40% fat and is one of the few vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids (mainly alpha-linolenic acid). Flaxseed also contains around 30% highly digestible fiber and 20% protein.
Should I use whole or processed flax? Flaxseed can be fed whole to horses; however, due to its hard outer coating, digestibility of the nutrients—especially the fatty acids—is limited when fed whole. Ideally, flax should be fed ground to maximize nutrient digestion. A word of caution: To prevent rapid degradation of fatty acids and, thus, rancidity, either grind flaxseed fresh before each feeding, or use a stabilized flaxseed product. Also, avoid soaking or boiling whole flaxseed as this could alter its nutrient profile.
How does it benefit the horse? In research environments, adding fat to a horse’s diet has shown to improve skin, hair coat, and body condition and reduce excitability. Most what we know about omega-3’s benefits in horses has been translated from human research.
Forages and concentrates typical in an equine ration contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, it’s beneficial to supplement horses’ rations with this essential fat. Research in equids suggests adding one pound of milled flaxseed per day can reduce the allergic response to recurrent seasonal pruritis, or sweet itch.
Also, omega-3s could have beneficial effects for horses suffering from inflammatory diseases such as heaves and osteoarthritis. Researchers have not yet determined the exact physiological mechanism to these benefits, and more research is needed to further examine flaxseed’s role in immune response.
How should I add flaxseed to my horse’s diet? Ground flaxseed has been fed up to a maximum one pound per day without adverse effects. But as with any fat supplement, flaxseed should be gradually introduced into the horse’s diet over the course of three to five days. This allows the digestive system time to adapt to the added fat. Similar to other grains, flaxseed has an inverse calcium to phosphorous ratio, so your horse’s diet should be balanced accordingly.
Take-Home Message
Flaxseed can be a valuable tool in your horse’s nutrition program as a source of calories and fiber, and it is an excellent source of fat, particularly omega-3’s. Use the ground, stabilized form to prevent rancidity and increase the nutrients’ digestibility.
Bold is mine. You can feed up to 1 lb daily; not just 8 ounces.
I did notice a huge difference in coat when I fed it; also, my mare did not have scratches the year that she was on it. I fed 1 cup a day, whole.
From the above article in The Horse (bold and underline are mine):
Flaxseed can be fed whole to horses; however, due to its hard outer coating, digestibility of the nutrients—especially the fatty acids—is limited when fed whole.
Ideally, flax should be fed ground to maximize nutrient digestion. A word of caution: To prevent rapid degradation of fatty acids and, thus, rancidity, either grind flaxseed fresh before each feeding, or use a stabilized flaxseed product. Also, avoid soaking or boiling whole flaxseed as this could alter its nutrient profile.
[QUOTE=huntseat3;7513948]
Does it really make their coats super shiny?[/QUOTE]
YES.
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