Whole Linseeds (Omega 3)

Whole linseeds/flaxseeds
Linseeds have a high oil content of around 41% and are high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
Linseeds contain an Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio that is very similar to grass which is the natural diet of a horse.

Essential fatty acids are called ‘essential’ because they cannot be manufactured by the body and therefore our horses rely entirely on our dietary intake to supply them.  Unless your horse’s diet predominantly consists of fresh pasture it is likely to have an unbalanced essential fatty acids with a higher proportion of Omega 6’s than Omega 3’s.  Both are needed in a horse’s diet but Omega 6’s are pro-inflammatory whilst Omega 3’s are anti-inflammatory.  If lacking Omega 3’s symptoms of inflammatory processes in the body may appear i.e. itchy and allergy-prone skin.

You can feed your linseeds whole but if you find seeds in their manure and they are not digesting them properly it is best to grind them immediately prior to feeding.  The oils are prone to rancidity and will go off very quickly if ground and left exposed to air so only grind just before feeding.  

When any seed is ground the protective outer seed coat is broken, allowing digestive enzymes access to the inner components of the seed.

Do not soak your linseeds - boiling actually destroys, to a large extent, the essential fatty acids in linseeds

Daily dosage rate for whole linseeds:

For horses who are mainly ON pasture
Ponies - 30g daily
Average horses (400-500kg) - 1/4 cup (50g) daily
Large horses (500kg +) - 1/2 cup (100g) daily

For horses who are NOT mainly on pasture
Ponies - 60g daily
Average horses (400-500kg) - 1/2 cup (100g) daily
Large horses (500kg +) - 3/4 cup (150g) daily