HOW to feed ground flax
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How do you successfully feed ground flax?
When I mix it with soaked pellets and supplements it turns Andy's meal into a paste-y mass. I fed the flax to my OTTB (not PPID or IR) and the wet flax turned into "glue", stuck his pellets together and most likely caused the choke. He passed the mass on the way to the vet but the vet said the doughy flax was most likely the culprit. Dry? Stand alone in the feed tub? Thanks for any thoughts. -- Sandy March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA Case History: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . |
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I feed ground flax mixed with soyhull pellets, timothy pellets and a mineral mixture. I use just a LITTLE water, just enough to get the mins to stick to the pellets. It is just enough water for the pellets to crumble a little and the flax and minerals stick to mix, not wet or soupy. Give that a try.
-- Bonnie Snodgrass 07-2016 ECIR Primary Response White Cloud, Michigan, USA |
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How much flax are you feeding? My ground flax just mixes in, you wouldn't even know it is there.
-- Jean and Amber (over the bridge) Nikki and Buster South Carolina August 2004 NRCPlus 0412; CIR 0813, 1211; NAT 0612 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Gloria%20and%20Amber |
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1/2 cup twice a day. I will try cutting back on the liquid part of the mix. Andy does fine because he has so many supps that absorb the liquid that was making the flax pasty. The OTTB buddy of his gets oat bran and some Alltech supps and the flax added to those with liquid was what was getting scary. Almost looked like a bread ball ready to roll out and put in the baking pan! Thanks!
-- Sandy March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA Case History: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . |
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Thanks Bonnie...I will reduce the liquid portion and play with that. Don't want to eliminate the flax for sure.
-- Sandy March 2017, Onalaska, WA, USA Case History: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Sandy%20and%20Andy . |
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Hi Sandy, I don't grind mine to a very fine powder, I only grind until the seed breaks apart. And also like Bonnie said, just a little water. For baking for me, I use 1 Tbs of ground flax and 2 Tbs. of water and it replaces an egg, so it does have quite a binding effect when enough water is added. Kim Lee Gillette Malachi (IR, PPID) Mateo (IR) NW PA 2010 On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 2:03 PM, Sandy Carr <drivingrein@...> wrote: How do you successfully feed ground flax? |
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Hi Sandy,
I found out that I need to add the flax last, after I've let the pellets soak up all the liquid. It doesn't seem to gum up as much that way. Carol Broyles Xenia Ohio August 2007 |
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Like Carol, I also add my flax (and all dry ingredients) last, after the timothy pellets have soaked up the water and salt. The trick is to get just enough water but not too much, like others have said. Since my horse doesn't like to eat it once the timothy pellets break down, I am now experimenting with adding even less water, then adding some coconut oil at the last step to increase adherence of flax and powdered vitamins, without wetting the pellets too much. Good luck!
-- Alisa and Andante
San Diego County, CA 1/2014
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Hi Sandy, same as Carol for me and my horse.
I use about a cup of Standlee timothy pellets, a handful of salt, and a cup or more of HOT water, mixed in a gallon icecream plastic container. Swirl swirl swirl to dissolve the salt. Add vitamin e capsule. When I get to the barn about 30 minutes later, I dump the swelled/wet mixture into his feed tub, add the ground flax seeds (1/2 cup) and dry minerals and toss it together, then serve immediately.
It’s such a small amount really, and he eats it right up.
He LOVES the taste of the flax.
Best wishes, and a happy Birthday to you today!
Ellen
-- Ellen Pal & Savvy N. Alabama Aug 2013 Case History |
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Should have mentioned the Standlee pellets are for my non-IR gelding.
-- Ellen Pal & Savvy N. Alabama Aug 2013 Case History |
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