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The facts on flax

Adding ground flaxseed to a horse’s diet can strengthen the immune system, enhance mineral absorption, help chronic inflammatory conditions, improve hair, skin and hoof conditions, and may even alleviate allergies. Flax can help prevent sand colic because it’s a soluble fiber source that forms a gel to trap, suspend and carry sand out of the body. It’s also high in Omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient lacking in most horses that are fed only hay instead of pasture.

Variety is the spice of life

Horses rarely choose to eat only hay or grass and in fact derive needed nutrients from a variety of natural plant materials. They will nibble on leaves, bark and seeds, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Providing branches from a variety of trees not only lets your horse nibble leaves and bark for nutrients, but also gives him a chance to use his teeth naturally, helping to wear down sharp edges. You can offer many types of trees, although you may wish to start with fruit, citrus and pines. Check with your local county extension office about whether or not a particular tree might be poisonous, and also ensure the tree is free of large thorns and pesticides. Natural logs with bark can be obtained from specialized lumber yards, often free of charge from their scrap pile. Be sure to use only natural logs and branches, and avoid lumber or wood that splinters or has been treated.

Horses will also enjoy fresh vegetable scraps along with edible flowers and leaves. Many will even like the tangy taste of citrus fruit. You can sprout bird seed and offer that as a treat, or try the sprouted seed mixes available in grocery stores. Organic carrots grown in your own garden will always be a hit!

On the level

How you feed your horse is as important as what and how often you feed him. Because humans don’t want to eat off the ground, we assume horses don’t either, so we install chest-level hay racks and mangers. However, a horse is built to chew and swallow with his head at ground level. Eating with his head raised leads to improperly chewed food, decreased saliva, and uneven tooth wear, and also increases the possibility of choking or partial obstruction. Respiratory problems can occur because foreign particles are easily inhaled, causing irritation and possible infection. If you are wary of ground level feeding because you’re concerned about sand colic, use rubber mats or tire feeders, and supplement with flax seed.

Although equine nutrition is a complex subject that should be geared towards the needs of the individual horse, implementing a natural feeding program will go a long way towards ensuring a happy, healthy life.

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Published in the Spring 2006 issue of Equine Wellness Magazine