I am interested in adding flaxseed to my horse’s diet. He’s a touch thinner than I’d like going into winter and he also has a propensity for skin issues; I figure it can’t hurt him.
What’s the most economical way to purchase? Looks like I can buy it in bulk online. Is it imperative that it be ground flax?
Thanks in advance!!
40# bag from your feed store is probably the way to go. Shipping will kill you ordering online.
My feed store stopped carrying it, so I went to omega shine instead.
I can buy 50 lb bag of flax for 27$ its not ground,simple enough to ground up whats needed for a few days of feeding. After i ground it i put it in refigerator to keep it fresh till its fed out,then ground up another few days worth.
I buy it from the feed store and feed it whole, unground. You’ll never find a definitive answer on whether it’s best to feed it whole or ground. I’ve always fed it whole, and I can absolutely see it working, so that’s how I choose to feed it. However, feeding around a cup a day of flax seed is most likely not going to do much (if anything) for weight on its own. It’s great, however, for adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet, putting a bloom on the coat, and helping with skin issues.
I have fed both ground and whole but currently am doing ground as that is what they had this time when I went. It was $36.50 for a 50# bag. You would have to feed a fair bit and studies show up to a pound a day is fine, but you really don’t do that. Adding oil, upping the feed you are currently feeding, going with a higher fat feed or increasing good forage is a better solution. You can also try calf (or horse) manna. It is known for adding some bulk with just a little on top as a dressing.
I do love feeding flax for all the health benefits. I currently feed 2 cups a day. 1 am and 1 pm. Edit: I saw no difference in feeding whole vs ground and studies are now showing it doesn’t make a difference. That of course is still something that is strongly debated. 
[QUOTE=Frizzle;8314528]
I buy it from the feed store and feed it whole, unground. You’ll never find a definitive answer on whether it’s best to feed it whole or ground. I’ve always fed it whole, and I can absolutely see it working, so that’s how I choose to feed it. However, feeding around a cup a day of flax seed is most likely not going to do much (if anything) for weight on its own. It’s great, however, for adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet, putting a bloom on the coat, and helping with skin issues.[/QUOTE]
I wanted to clarify, I’m not primarily looking for it as a weight gain supplement; much more for the skin/coat issues. He’s switching barns here next month and he’s not a hard keeper…I think with a little better hay situation (that he will get at his new place) he’ll be fine, but think the flax certainly doesn’t hurt to add 
Flax is amazing for the skin and coat. Another thing you can add is turmeric if there are big skin issues. It clears them up and is awesome as well. There are pages on Facebook for it and will tell you how to feed it. I know because my girl had and can have major skin problems. The combination cleared them up. Stopped the turmeric mix and she broke right out again within days. Covered. Started it up and in a week almost completely healed and gone again. Great stuff!
I agree that finding a reasonably close feed store to get it from, whole, 40lb bag, is the most economical. No need to grind
What’s he currently eating? I wouldn’t count on flax adding weight, though for some horses who lack that last bit of weight due to some inflammation, the Omega 3 can help them.
[QUOTE=JB;8314641]
I agree that finding a reasonably close feed store to get it from, whole, 40lb bag, is the most economical. No need to grind
What’s he currently eating? I wouldn’t count on flax adding weight, though for some horses who lack that last bit of weight due to some inflammation, the Omega 3 can help them.[/QUOTE]
He’s eating 6lbs a day of SS Solution currently, plus a multi-vitamin supplement. Out on good pasture overnight, limited hay (~3-4 flakes a day). Here’s a photo: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/RouxKazoo/Tucker/1571B97E-B7D2-414D-A323-91F7FB33FDCB.jpg
He’s not really thin I don’t think; just not quite where I’d like him. Plus he’s a bit out of shape yet (he is OTT, last raced in December, was let down, and really only started real restarting about a month ago). As I said, he’s moving at the end of the month so I can keep him in work over the winter and he’ll have more, better quality hay, which really might be all he needs. His skin is a bit of an issue though. I will check around and see if my local feed store(s) can get me flax seed.
I have not heard of turmeric for horses, though I myself take it as a supplement. Interesting. I will have to do a bit of research!
I probably would not be feeding a v/m on top of 6lb of a fortified grain.
He’s fairly thin 
And lacking so good muscle. I wouldn’t expect him to still look like this after 9 months OT. How have you been deworming him? Teeth are utd? Ulcers?
More hay, better quality hay, does wonders for a horse
I WOULD most definitely put him on 1c flax any time he’s on an all/mostly hay diet for sure. Hay is lacking Omega 3.
I would also move him off the SS Solution (almost 22% NSC) and onto TC Complete or Sr. Those are better quality, lower NSC feeds.
Can someone post the link to the studies on whole vs ground flax and Horses?
Well, dropping the multi-vitamin is no big deal. He’s on it bc my mare is on it but she is not on a fortified grain. Was suggested to me that maybe he would benefit from the MV (bc of the biotin content and his kinda lousy feet), but makes sense that maybe he’s getting more than he’d need there and I could just as easily feed him a specific biotin supp.
I got him in early July. He was wormed right before I got him (with fall shots I’ll be getting him a fecal however); teeth done in early August (they needed done per his PPE; took a bit of time to get the equine dentist scheduled though). Ulcers…maybe? Haven’t treated him for them and he doesn’t do/show anything that screams ulcers, but might be worth looking into.
He will not be on an all hay diet at any point; just a better, higher volume of hay starting next month, which I really feel will help him. The new barn feeds Strategy. I can keep him on the Solution if I choose, however. Probably could explore putting him on TC Senior; worked well for my other 2 OTTBs and would prob work well here.
Can you add a bucket of soaked alfalfa cubes twice a day or some other source of fiber and calories. Flax is great but it is expensive for the number of calories.
Was he treated for tapeworms and encysted strongyles after coming off the track? If not, I’d do that, post haste.
I agree with AKB that alfalfa could help you here. My preference is alfalfa hay, but cubes work well if that’s not doable. The added protein may also aid with putting on muscle with proper work
I get organic ground flax from Sprouts here in California for $1.70 per pound. I like that I can get it anytime I need it.
Another good source for putting on weight (I use it for a hard keeper OTTB) is rice bran. He got a cup in a.m. and p.m. feeds. He has gained the weight and is looking awesome now so he has been dropped to 1/2 cup in both feeds and is maintaining his weight.
OP he is really really cute!!!
I’ve found that my tbs do best on free choice hay/pasture plus a premium senior feed. The SS Solution is only 6% fat, which may have something to do with the lack of condition and poor quality hooves. I do like the 14% protein.
From a $ point of view, the least expensive way to put weight on a horse is
1 - increase roughage (hay/grass)
2 - increase concentrate (fortified premium brand fed according to instructions)
A 30-35 lb bale of hay that costs $5 means the per pound cost is 20 cents.
A 50 lb bag of premium concentrate costs $25 means the per pound cost is 50 cents.
Flax is about $1 a pound or more. You’ll have to do the math on other supps. Smartpak has a good chart on the daily cost of various supps, although they tend to be lower in quantity than what is recommended on the supplement label.
When looking at the concentrate, I like the protein+fat+fiber percentages to be as close to 40 as possible. You are at 35% with the SS Solution, and I think if you find a similar feed that is higher fat, you’ll see a difference without having to spend a lot of $$. Good luck with him!!!
[QUOTE=Flash44;8315115]
OP he is really really cute!!!
I’ve found that my tbs do best on free choice hay/pasture plus a premium senior feed. The SS Solution is only 6% fat, which may have something to do with the lack of condition and poor quality hooves. I do like the 14% protein.
From a $ point of view, the least expensive way to put weight on a horse is
1 - increase roughage (hay/grass)
2 - increase concentrate (fortified premium brand fed according to instructions)
A 30-35 lb bale of hay that costs $5 means the per pound cost is 20 cents.
A 50 lb bag of premium concentrate costs $25 means the per pound cost is 50 cents.
Flax is about $1 a pound or more. You’ll have to do the math on other supps. Smartpak has a good chart on the daily cost of various supps, although they tend to be lower in quantity than what is recommended on the supplement label.
When looking at the concentrate, I like the protein+fat+fiber percentages to be as close to 40 as possible. You are at 35% with the SS Solution, and I think if you find a similar feed that is higher fat, you’ll see a difference without having to spend a lot of $$. Good luck with him!!![/QUOTE]
Thank you I just love him; he’s quiet, athletic, and a lot of fun!
I think I will switch him to TC Senior. I really don’t know why I didn’t think of that before; both my other 2 were on it. That said, I will also probably add flax for his skin/coat anyhow.
Simkie–He was wormed with Panacur. Why do you specifically ask about the tapeworms and encysted strongyles with a track horse? I hadn’t heard that before…not being snarky, genuinely curious.
[QUOTE=Big_Tag;8316189]
Simkie–He was wormed with Panacur. Why do you specifically ask about the tapeworms and encysted strongyles with a track horse? I hadn’t heard that before…not being snarky, genuinely curious.[/QUOTE]
IME, track horses are often wormed in a haphazard manner, and they probably have more exposure than most with a lot of horses wormed (or not being wormed) on wildly divergent schedules all in the very tight environment that is the track.
Tapes and encysted strongyles are probably the most missed in a general “give them what’s on sale” sort of regime, and they are both big culprits in a horse that can’t seem to gain weight.
A single dose of panacur isn’t likely to do a whole lot, anyway, due to widespread resistance. If that’s what was given, it would raise some questions in my mind, were I the owner, about how well he’s been dewormed at all. Especially since you’re having trouble with his weight.
So hit him with equimax + a power pak, or quest plus and call it good This is an easy thing to address, and is always a good box to check with a new horse, anyway, nevermind one that’s a bit thin.
MSM & spirulina are also great for skin issues. :yes:
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