This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yes, I feed fresh ground flax to all of my Fjords, started old Bjarne on it when I was trying to get his weight up, The whole ground seed provides not only the omega 3 oils but some protein and some plant lignans that have many benefits, for people and well as animals. I eat it myself! NOT LINSEED MEAL! Which I guess has the protein, etc but most of the oil is removed.
Flax is good for coats, good for lots of things. Some have found it good for "Sweet Itch" and other skin problems.Some references can be found on the virtual vet page: http://www.ruralheritage.com/ search for Flax in the Virtual Vet Section. Lots of good suff on this website, much of the EPSM info can be applies to Fjord also. Also you can search for Flax on the CD-L archives: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/scripts/wa.exe?S1=cd-l Here is part of one message "Friend of mine recently shared an article with me that appeared in the Paint Horse Journal, about how to battle no-see-ums, which are potentially the cause of the itchy mane. The prime ingredient in the battle is flax seeds. Apparently the Omega 3 oils in the seeds combat the allergy to the insect bites." Another message: " > I buy my flax seed meal in a 50 lb. sack from the Farmers' Co-op. It's > stored in a trash can with a tight lid and I dish out a feed scoopful into > a 2nd container. It is important for those who are just learning about flax seed as a supplement for horses (or any other beings) that there are whole flax seeds and then the flax seed meal. From what I understand (I don't use flax only because we can get fresh rice bran for the oil and phytonutrients) the flax seed has to be crushed, soaked or opened in some other means in order to be useful to the horse. Otherwise it will just slide on thru them. Its great that you can get the flax seed already reduced to meal, and that you know its fragile quality. Oxidation is the culprit in reducing the value of the meal if not fed while still fresh. I know of several folks (with just one or two horses) who just crush their own before feeding. And a large show barn I used to board my horses at feed the flax seed after soaking it in hot water for quite a while." [end quote] I buy my flax seed from the natural foods section of Fred Meyer grocery store...In bulk, it is $.69-$.79/lb, and I just bought a whole 25# bag through the store for a discount. You may get it cheaper "outside". Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, just getting light at almost 10:00am -25 F >Just saw a post re: feeding ground flax to the Fjords...I had heard that >this (or flax seed oil) was good for their coats in winter...is this why >you supplement with the flax? Or is there another reason, I would be >interested in any info about this, THANKS! ************************************************************ Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
