Update on feeding flax seed

After I wrote, Flax Seed: How and why to feed it, I got an excellent question from a reader.
Anne wrote, “Could you tell me your source for the ‘current research’ on feeding flax seed whole. I would like to read how this research was done and by whom.”

I do keep track of my sources for articles, but when I looked back at my notes, I found that I had quoted the “current research” statement from this article,  Understanding Horse Nutrition: Flax Seed which does not publish a source. Typical internet, right? Someone says something unverified and then it’s plastered across the web as the gospel truth. However, I’d also discussed this with a vet and a nutritionist and know several people besides myself who feed whole flax seed (I know, plural anecdotes do not equal data).

I circled back and got this answer from the nutritionist.

There is very little research on digestibility of flax in equines at all, of any kind, it’s nearly all been done on cattle or humans.

But,  for what it’s worth, here’s my opinion. the Omega 3s in flax are VERY sensitive to light and air, once ground it loses the Omega 3s very fast. Stabilizing (usually a heat treatment) does not preserve the Omega 3s it only stops the cyanide production.

So the best way to get the O3s into the horse is to feed freshly ground flax, but if you can’t do that then feed whole flax they can digest around 50% of it and they get more O3s that way.

Remember horses have good teeth (unlike cattle) and an acid environment in the stomach (unlike cattle) both of those act to split the seed coat and allow access to the seed for digestion.

That’s why you don’t see a difference whether you feed whole flax or ground flax.

I have 40 horses on flax no way could I grind for all of those.

So there you have it. Just remember that if you choose to grind flax seed daily it’s very important that you clean the grinder thoroughly. The flax that remains in the grinder quickly goes rancid and will contaminate the next batch.

As for me, I will continue to feed the whole seeds. I like the convenience and the price. Heck, I’ll just feed slightly more so that they get their full dose of Omega 3s.

The best cure for jet lag is a ride in the sunshine.

Last night I took the red-eye back from San Francisco where I was visiting family.

In order to maximize the amount of time I had with them, I chose to fly home at night. Funny how the flight seems so long during the day but goes by in a blink when you’re trying to get a few precious hours of sleep.

Arriving at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time (4:30 a.m. Pacific time), I had a very hard time even appearing to be awake. Luckily it was a beautiful fall day — one which absolutely required a ride through the fields so I could admire the beginnings of the fall foliage. I missed a hunt today that I normally really enjoy. I’ll admit I even toyed with the idea of trying to get from the airport to the barn in time to trailer to the hunt but that’s a bit fanatical even for me. After all, taking Freedom on his first hunt of the season when I’ve had four hours of sleep and he hasn’t been ridden in several days is quite insane.

Freedom’s leg looked really good. The wound is healing nicely and he has completely forgotten about it. The swelling is almost completely gone. In fact, he was raring to go. Just as well I was alone so I could keep him (mostly) focused. If I’d added the excitement of a hunt, I doubt our ride would have been either pleasant or relaxing.

Certainly the sunshine and the fresh air helped me recalibrate my inner clock and kept me awake at least until it’s dark enough that going to bed isn’t too embarrassing! Now that I’ve found the “cure” for jet lag, I know what to do in the future.

Looking for a reason not to muck your stalls today?

All of us who take care of our own horses have had days when cleaning out stalls is a major inconvenience. My horse is out 24/7, so it’s not a disaster if I miss a day, but I’ve always felt incredibly guilty about leaving the stalls undone.

However, according to German researchers, not only do you not have to muck out stalls daily, but it’s preferable! Who would have thought this to be possible.

Read more.

Just for fun — Horse Surfing, Part III

If a horse and rider were to surf, they certainly would look like this!

When your horse gets kicked.

Freedom was kicked over night. When I arrived his leg was swollen and he had a gash in his forearm.

With horses, it’s always something.

I don’t normally feed Saturday mornings but I’m sure glad I did last weekend. It took me only a few minutes to see that Freedom was hurt and it looked bad. He had been kicked on his left forearm. The area was hugely swollen and there was a big jagged gash. The good news was that he was weight bearing. Lame, but weight bearing.

Read more.

Second arrest in Florida horse killings

Florida horse owners are still on high alert and guarding their horses at night.

A second suspect has been arrested for his part in two of the Florida horse killings.

Nineteen year old Santiago Cabrera, of Hialeah, faces charges of armed burglary, animal cruelty, killing a registered breed horse and breaking a fence.

Read more.

Elmer Bandit still enjoying his rides

Everyone loves Elmer, the 38-year old competitive trail horse. I’m always checking the news to see if he’s competing. This caught my eye today: Mighty Elmer Still Stepping Out.

Horse Surfing, Part II

Horse surfing adds a new level of excitement to equestrian pursuits.

People are always thinking of new, fun things to do with their horse. Although I must admit that this had never occurred to me: water skiing while being towed by a horse!

Actually, it’s called horse surfing. Early in 2005 the Independent horse, working with The Company of Horsemen and Matt Smith from Air Jam of Newquay, were the first in the world to tow a kite board behind a horse.

Read more.