I have been feeding flaxseed to my horses off and on for years. I knew it could help with hoof growth and produce an amazingly shiny coat, as well as contribute to weight gain, but I never truly understood what a powerhouse it is. Flaxseed has anti-inflammatory qualities, contributes to heart and lung health, boosts the immune system, contains antioxidants, and a whole lot more. However, not all flaxseed products are the same. Some methods of milling, processing and storing can reduce or completely neutralize the numerous beneficials elements. It is wise to educate yourself and make the best choice based on your research.
What is Flaxseed?
Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds produced the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). History shows that man started cultivating flax as far back as 4000 BC. From the very beginning, the value of flax was both culinary and textile, since flax fibers could be spun into linen to provide clothing and other products. Flaxseeds can be consumed whole, but are even more beneficial when sprouted and ground into meal. Flaxseed contains about 40% fat and is one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It contains approximately 20% protein and 30% highly digestable fiber. The soluble portion of that fiber has many interesting nutritional and functional properties including the ability to bind sand and other foreign material in the digestive tract. That alone puts it on the top of my list.
Flax is an excellent source of potassium and contains lignans, Vitamin E (a biological antioxidant) and the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an Omega 3. It's important to understand that horses don't need ALA - but they do need the EFAs known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -also found in flax but in lesser amounts than ALA. However, horses can covert ALA into EFA and DHA.
Most of what we know for fact is based on human studies, but continued research indicates that the same holds true for animals. Studies with non-human primates and human new-borns indicate that DHA & EPA is essential for the normal functional development of the retina and the brain. EPA and DHA are essential building blocks for healthy cell membranes. These cell membranes provide critical support for the brain connectivity that supports:
Clinical studies in humans have demonstrated the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, dermatological, gastrointestinal and immune-mediated diseases. In animal models, high intakes of omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, are associated with tumor growth, whereas high intakes of omega-3 fatty acids diminish tumor development. 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.
(OK Start reading again if you skipped the section above)
Flax is also is nature’s way of dealing with sand colic, constipation, poor elimination in older horses and “runny” manure. Ground psyllium husks and ground flax seed meal are two efficient, bulk- forming ingredients that help absorb up to eight times their volume in water. Flax meal will produce feces that are soft (but not runny) and easily excreted. Unlike wheat bran flax meal will not cause nutritional deficiencies. For sand colic: flax meal forms a coating around the sand, like fruit embedded in jello, and helps to safely remove this foreign material from the body.
Flaxseed is added to many equine and pet feeds and treats. But unfortunately, you may not be getting the best bang for your buck that way. Typically the amount added to forages and feeds is too small to truly make an impact. Additionally, there's no way of knowing the source of the flax, the consistency of its growing environment, how it was processed, the way it was stored, or how old it was prior to being added to the feed. And in virtually all cases, as an additive to processed feeds and commercial supplements, the seed has been exposed to heat - the number one nutrient killer for flaxseed. For that reason I prefer to add flax to my animals' feed myself. That way it can be optimally sourced, stored and portioned out.
Generally, flax comes as whole, ground (meal), cold-milled (or cold-pressed) and as a oil.
What is Flaxseed?
Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds produced the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). History shows that man started cultivating flax as far back as 4000 BC. From the very beginning, the value of flax was both culinary and textile, since flax fibers could be spun into linen to provide clothing and other products. Flaxseeds can be consumed whole, but are even more beneficial when sprouted and ground into meal. Flaxseed contains about 40% fat and is one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It contains approximately 20% protein and 30% highly digestable fiber. The soluble portion of that fiber has many interesting nutritional and functional properties including the ability to bind sand and other foreign material in the digestive tract. That alone puts it on the top of my list.
But Wait! There's more!
Scientific stuff - you can skip over this if your eyes glaze
over anytime you look at a periodic table
Flax is an excellent source of potassium and contains lignans, Vitamin E (a biological antioxidant) and the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an Omega 3. It's important to understand that horses don't need ALA - but they do need the EFAs known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -also found in flax but in lesser amounts than ALA. However, horses can covert ALA into EFA and DHA.Most of what we know for fact is based on human studies, but continued research indicates that the same holds true for animals. Studies with non-human primates and human new-borns indicate that DHA & EPA is essential for the normal functional development of the retina and the brain. EPA and DHA are essential building blocks for healthy cell membranes. These cell membranes provide critical support for the brain connectivity that supports:
- Healthy memory
- Healthy cognition
- Emotional well-being
Clinical studies in humans have demonstrated the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in renal, respiratory, cardiovascular, dermatological, gastrointestinal and immune-mediated diseases. In animal models, high intakes of omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, are associated with tumor growth, whereas high intakes of omega-3 fatty acids diminish tumor development. 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.
(OK Start reading again if you skipped the section above)
Flax is also is nature’s way of dealing with sand colic, constipation, poor elimination in older horses and “runny” manure. Ground psyllium husks and ground flax seed meal are two efficient, bulk- forming ingredients that help absorb up to eight times their volume in water. Flax meal will produce feces that are soft (but not runny) and easily excreted. Unlike wheat bran flax meal will not cause nutritional deficiencies. For sand colic: flax meal forms a coating around the sand, like fruit embedded in jello, and helps to safely remove this foreign material from the body.
Generally, flax comes as whole, ground (meal), cold-milled (or cold-pressed) and as a oil.
Whole flaxseed is just that. The seed is has been harvested, dried and packed whole with no further processing. While some disagree, many researchers believe that the whole seed is not fully digested because it is may not be chewed. When swallowed whole, the seeds pass through the digestive system without breaking down or releasing any nutrients
Ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal has gone through a milling process that breaks down the hull and pulverizes the seed. While this solves the problem of undigested whole seed, it creates another problem. Unless you are grinding the flaxseed yourself, ground flaxseed starts losing its nutritional components as soon as it is exposed to air. Additionally, most commercially processed flaxseed is exposed to heat. And as mentioned above, heat robs the seed of all the good stuff. Flaxseed meal may even have gone through a process to extract the oil as well.
The process of cold-milling or cold pressing flaxseed prevents oxidation and negative breakdown. When cold-milled, the seed is not exposed to nutrient-robbing heat. My choice of flax, ND Flaxmilling's Cold-pressed Flaxseed, brings the process one step further. This proprietary milling process keeps all the nutrients and Omega-3 intact. Their process does notFl heat, hammer, grind, or separate the flax oil from the seed, providing the highest-quality Omega-3 feed that is more digestible and palatable. ND Milling takes care to package the pressed seed immediately and stores it in a climate-controlled environment, away from heat and light. They guarantee freshness for up to two years, provided the end user stores it in a similar fashion.
Many prefer to feed Flax Oil. It can provide all the above nutrients and benefits, but it can be a little messy for use with horses. And due to the weight, can be cost prohibitive if you have to order it online. However, dogs and cats may find it more palatable than ground or whole seeds. (Yes, they can benefit from it too!)
When introducing flaxseed into your horse's diet, start with just a small amount. Since it is high fat, your horse will need to adjust, otherwise he may experience extremely loose stools. Eventually you can feed up to one pound of flax without any adverse affect. Typically 4 to 8 ounces per day will be sufficient. You can feed it wet or dry, but do not soak it or heat it.
In closing, I will quote Kentucky Equine Research:
"Long gone are the days of hay and oats. Examination of novel feed ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids may pave the way for a brighter, healthier future for horses everywhere."
More info?
Ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal has gone through a milling process that breaks down the hull and pulverizes the seed. While this solves the problem of undigested whole seed, it creates another problem. Unless you are grinding the flaxseed yourself, ground flaxseed starts losing its nutritional components as soon as it is exposed to air. Additionally, most commercially processed flaxseed is exposed to heat. And as mentioned above, heat robs the seed of all the good stuff. Flaxseed meal may even have gone through a process to extract the oil as well.
The process of cold-milling or cold pressing flaxseed prevents oxidation and negative breakdown. When cold-milled, the seed is not exposed to nutrient-robbing heat. My choice of flax, ND Flaxmilling's Cold-pressed Flaxseed, brings the process one step further. This proprietary milling process keeps all the nutrients and Omega-3 intact. Their process does notFl heat, hammer, grind, or separate the flax oil from the seed, providing the highest-quality Omega-3 feed that is more digestible and palatable. ND Milling takes care to package the pressed seed immediately and stores it in a climate-controlled environment, away from heat and light. They guarantee freshness for up to two years, provided the end user stores it in a similar fashion.
Many prefer to feed Flax Oil. It can provide all the above nutrients and benefits, but it can be a little messy for use with horses. And due to the weight, can be cost prohibitive if you have to order it online. However, dogs and cats may find it more palatable than ground or whole seeds. (Yes, they can benefit from it too!)When introducing flaxseed into your horse's diet, start with just a small amount. Since it is high fat, your horse will need to adjust, otherwise he may experience extremely loose stools. Eventually you can feed up to one pound of flax without any adverse affect. Typically 4 to 8 ounces per day will be sufficient. You can feed it wet or dry, but do not soak it or heat it.
In closing, I will quote Kentucky Equine Research:
"Long gone are the days of hay and oats. Examination of novel feed ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids may pave the way for a brighter, healthier future for horses everywhere."
More info?
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