Tell me about BOSS!! (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds)

[candyappy]

@2DogsFarm

I can’t speak to weight gain, but I feed less than a handful - two 2-tablespoon-sized scoops daily (so 1/4 cup per horse) & all the horses have lovely soft & shiny haircoats.

So much so that my vet has commented on coat condition & a friend with Hackney ponies has added BOSS to his feed.
They stay soft & shiny through Winter & shed out in dappled glory.

Their only other grain is whole oats, sole supplement - aside from the BOSS - a probiotic. Friend feeds a pelleted feed along with BOSS.
I’ve fed like this for 3 pairs of geldings ranging in age from 10-27yo.
The oldest gelding - 27yo TB - never had any arthritic changes as proven by rads taken in his late teens. Vet pointed out how good the joints looked.

Can’t argue with those results!! I am all for keeping it simple. I feed BOSS to my goats and cow with great results and have thought about what benefit it could add to the horses. I just might add a handful to their ration and see what happens.

[crosscreeksh]

Thanks…I’ll check that out. The mill where we get our feed made up is in Kansas, but I have to get a batch made up this coming week. The nutritionist from the mill was the one who suggested Energy Boost…a granulated oil product.

[csaper58]

The horses eat the BOSS whole, so I wonder if they get any extra minerals, or other trace nutrients from the hulls/shells?

[Magicboy]

I’ve never seen any hulls in their manure. Or volunteer sunflower plants on the property so our horses digest it well