How to Cook Flaxseed for a Horse

Flaxseed is an oilseed containing Omega-3 fatty acids and can be a valuable addition to your horse's diet. As a regular food supplement, flaxseed can help to improve the condition of your horse's coat and hooves, the health of its heart and to calm its nervous disposition. While it is possible to feed raw flax to your horse, you can do more to improve its health by feeding it cooked flaxseed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Measure 1/4 cup of dry flax seed into a pot holding 2 cups of cold water. Cover the pot with a dry cloth to keep bugs and dirt out of the mash you are making.
2. Soak the immersed flaxseed for two hours before cooking. This will increase the flax's digestibility and improve its gentle laxative effect.
3. Boil the flaxseed. Raw flaxseed contains prussic acid that is toxic to horses. Boiling it for at least 30 minutes gets rid of the acid and helps you avoid endangering your horse.
4. Feed the resulting mash to your horse once or twice a week to make sure your horse receives the maximum health and temperament benefits.
5. Store whole flaxseed in a cool, dry place. If you grind it before storing it, it will go bad quickly. Whole, it can last a very long time.

Tips & Warnings

• Flaxseed is also available in commercially prepared horse treats. These are good for training and treats and for fussy horses that dislike mash.