What is Micronised Linseed?
Micronised linseed for horses is an excellent food for adding bloom. It is low in starch and sugar, high in protein and its gel-forming fibre can help smooth the passage of food through the digestive system.
It is the high, health-giving natural source of omega 3 content of linseed which makes it vital to add to the diets of all horses at a low level in winter or to those horses which are on either a reduced grass diet or no grass at all. Omega 3 essential fats are essential in the diet meaning that the horse must get them from the food it eats.
The grass is a rich source but these fragile compounds are destroyed during the hay process and are not present in winter grass. A diet low in omega 3 fatty acids is pro-inflammatory. Hay and haylage are low in omega 3 fatty acids but high in omega 6 so supplementing to maintain the correct ratio between omega 3 and omega 6 is important.
Feed rate calculator
How much linseed does my horse need?
Enter your horse’s bodyweight to see a daily amount in grams and scoops, and how long a bag will last.
Not sure? A weight tape gives a good estimate.
A daily amount of 95 g provides approximately
- Energy
- 1.9 MJ
- Protein
- 22 g
- Omega-3
- 17 g
- Phosphorus
- 0.6 g
Feeding more for condition? Linseed is 35% oil, so it can be fed above the omega-3 rate to help a horse gain or hold weight. Increase it gradually over a few days, and don’t go above 1 g per kg of bodyweight a day: the high fat content can suppress appetite.
The omega-3 rate is about 42 g per 220 kg of bodyweight a day, in line with the ECIR Group’s guidance of 1.5 oz of ground flax per 500 lb. Scoop weights are approximate: a 75 ml scoop holds about 42 g and a 50 ml scoop about 27 g. Feed rates are a guide; ask our nutritionists if you are unsure.
Will linseed make my horse fat, or add too much phosphorus?
At the typical omega-3 amount of 95 g a day for a 500 kg horse, linseed adds very little energy or phosphorus to the diet.
Will it make my horse fat?
Compared with 5 kg of hay, which may provide 40–50 MJ, 95 g of linseed contributes relatively little energy. Total calorie intake and body condition matter, not one ingredient in isolation.
Feeding more for condition? Our practical upper guideline is 1 g per kg of bodyweight a day, for an evolutionarily appropriate fat content. For a 500 kg horse, that is 500 g.
Do I need to add calcium?
No, you don’t need to add calcium.
At 95 g, linseed adds only about 0.6 g of phosphorus. 5 kg of hay already provides around 25 g of calcium, because UK grass hay and haylage are naturally high in calcium and low in phosphorus.
Balance the whole diet, not one ingredient. A forage analysis shows what your hay already supplies.
Why should I feed Micronised Linseed?
Fed above the omega-3 rate, micronised full-fat linseed can also add protein and extra calories to the diets of horses in hard work, or those that need to gain or hold weight.
Linseed, in its raw state, contains the enzyme Linase, which, in moist conditions, can trigger the release of hydrogen cyanide. This micronised product however not only enhances feed value and palatability but also destroys Linase, so that the resulting product can be fed directly and safely to horses.
The Benefits of Micronised Linseed for Horses
Below are some of the health benefits of feeding micronised linseed:
- Micronised to maintain Omega-3
- Improves coat condition & skin condition
- Supports healthy skin
- Supports immune function
- Supports healthy weight gain
- Protein 23%, oil 35%.
Which type of Linseed is best?
Linseed oil, linseed meal or linseed? We always recommend feeding the whole linseed, as opposed to linseed meal or linseed oil. Linseed oil does not contain the important fibre and unless it has been cold-pressed, is often extracted using chemical solvents. Similarly, linseed expeller (linseed meal) is the by-product of the extraction process, where the meal is left over after the linseed oil has been extracted. The best option, for optimum health benefits, is always to feed linseed in its whole natural form.
Forageplus Quality Standard
Every Batch Tested Before Release
We go beyond manufacturing accreditation by independently assessing every batch before sale for purity, safety and consistency. Our quality assurance programme includes contaminant screening, batch traceability and rigorous quality control.
Microbial Testing
Batch Traceability
NOPS-Accredited Manufacture
Find out why omega 3 is so important for your horse’s health here.
Explore our range of winter balancers by clicking the following link, or take a look at our winter feeding tips and advice.
For more interesting articles, check out our latest articles over at Forageplus Talk.
Micronised linseed: quick answers
How much micronised linseed should I feed my horse?
For omega-3, feed about 42 g per 220 kg of bodyweight a day, which is roughly 95 g for a 500 kg horse. This is in line with the ECIR Group’s guidance of 1.5 oz of ground flax per 500 lb. A 75 ml scoop holds about 42 g. Use the calculator above for your horse’s weight.
Can I feed more linseed to help my horse gain condition?
Yes. Linseed is 35% oil and 23% protein, so it can be fed above the omega-3 rate to help a horse gain or hold weight. Increase it gradually over a few days, and don’t go above 1 g per kg of bodyweight a day (500 g for a 500 kg horse), as the high fat content can suppress appetite.
Does micronised linseed make horses fat?
At the omega-3 rate, linseed adds very little energy. For a 500 kg horse, 95 g provides about 1.9 MJ, compared with 40–50 MJ from 5 kg of hay. Total calorie intake and body condition matter, not one ingredient in isolation.
Do I need to add calcium when feeding linseed?
No. At 95 g, linseed adds only about 0.6 g of phosphorus, while 5 kg of hay already provides around 25 g of calcium. UK grass hay and haylage are naturally high in calcium and low in phosphorus, so there is no need to add calcium when feeding linseed.
Why add linseed to a hay-based diet?
Fresh grass is a rich source of omega-3, but these fragile fats are destroyed when grass is made into hay or haylage, and winter grass contains little. Hay and haylage are also higher in omega-6, so adding linseed helps restore the balance between omega-3 and omega-6.
Do I need to soak or cook micronised linseed?
No. Raw linseed contains an enzyme, linase, which in moist conditions can release hydrogen cyanide. Micronising destroys linase, so there is no need to soak or cook our linseed.
Is whole linseed better than linseed oil or linseed meal?
We recommend whole linseed. Linseed oil lacks the fibre and, unless cold-pressed, is often extracted using chemical solvents. Linseed meal (expeller) is the by-product left once the oil has been extracted.
Is micronised linseed the same as linseed meal?
Not always. Our micronised linseed is the whole seed (flax), micronised and ground, with nothing removed, so it keeps its 35% oil and its omega-3. Some products sold as linseed meal are linseed expeller, which is what is left after the oil has been pressed out. Expeller has lost much of the oil, and with it much of the omega-3. Check the label for the word expeller.
Is micronised linseed suitable for laminitis-prone horses?
Linseed is naturally low in sugar and starch, and ground flax is part of the diet the ECIR Group recommends for insulin-resistant horses. Feed it at the omega-3 rate unless your horse also needs extra condition.
How long does a 3 kg bag last?
About 31 days for a 500 kg horse fed at the omega-3 rate. At higher rates for condition it will last less time; the calculator shows how long for your horse.
