Horse owners are always searching for natural, safe ways to support their horse’s health, especially when it comes to coat shine, digestion, and joint comfort.
One ingredient that’s earned its place in many feed rooms is flaxseed. Packed with nutrients and naturally rich in beneficial fatty acids, flaxseed can help horses look and feel their best, from their glossy coats to their healthy digestive systems.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key flaxseed benefits for horses, explain why ground flax is more effective than whole seeds, and show why Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® golden flax is the healthiest, freshest choice for equine diets.
Why Horses Benefit from Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a powerhouse of plant nutrition. It’s high in protein, fiber, and naturally occurring beneficial fats that support your horse’s skin, coat, and digestion.
According to Mad Barn and TheHorse.com, flax provides a healthy ratio of beneficial fats that can help rebalance the modern horse’s diet, especially those fed mostly hay or grain.
Fresh pasture naturally contains beneficial fats, but once grass is dried into hay, those nutrients decline.
Adding ground flaxseed helps restore that balance, supporting:
- Skin and Coat Health: Flax’s beneficial fats promote a soft, shiny coat and reduce dry skin.
- Digestive Function: The gentle fiber in flax helps maintain gut health and may benefit horses prone to ulcers.
- Joint and Immune Support: Flax’s natural compounds can help reduce stiffness and inflammation in aging or performance horses.
Ground vs. Whole Flax for Horses
While some horse owners feed whole flaxseeds, research shows that whole seeds often pass through the digestive tract undigested. Grinding flax breaks the outer shell, making the nutrients available for absorption.
However, grinding flax at home can be tricky. Once the seed is ground, air and light can cause it to spoil quickly, and often within days.
That’s why Premium Gold developed our proprietary True Cold Milled® process, a no-heat method that protects the seed’s delicate nutrients and natural freshness.
Thanks to this process, our ground flax stays fresh for 24 months from the date of manufacturing with no refrigeration required. That’s far longer than home-ground flax, which typically needs to be refrigerated and used within a week.
When you feed Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® golden flax, you’re giving your horse the full benefits of fresh, stable flax without the hassle of grinding or storing it in the fridge.
Key Health Benefits for Horses
1. Coat and Skin Health
One of the first changes horse owners notice after adding flax to their horse’s diet is a glossy, soft coat. Flaxseed supports the natural oils in the skin, reducing dryness and dullness. In one Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research study, horses supplemented with flax showed fewer skin irritations and better coat condition.
2. Digestive Support
Flaxseed is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which supports gut motility and overall digestive health. Its soothing, gel-like fiber (mucilage) can help protect the stomach lining and may benefit horses prone to ulcers or digestive upset.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Support
Performance horses and seniors alike can benefit from flax’s natural anti-inflammatory properties, which help support joint comfort and overall mobility. As noted by SmartPak Equine, these benefits are especially helpful for horses with high-grain diets, which can lead to an imbalance of fats that promote inflammation.
4. Weight and Energy Balance
Flax is a calorie-dense “cool energy” feed. It adds healthy fat and calories without the sugar spikes that can come from high-grain diets, helping maintain steady energy levels and a healthy weight.
Flaxseed Safety for Horses
It’s common to hear concerns about raw flaxseed containing compounds that could be harmful, but research and veterinary experts confirm that flaxseed is safe for horses when fed in normal amounts. The trace compounds in flax are broken down safely by the horse’s stomach acid, preventing toxicity.
Dr. Lydia Gray, an equine veterinarian with SmartPak Equine, explains that “feeding flax seed to horses is safe and should not be cause for concern. Research suggests its beneficial fats may actually help conditions like Cushing’s and laminitis.”
Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® process ensures our ground flax is safe, stable, and nutrient-rich with no heat, no preservatives, and no need for refrigeration.
How to Feed Flaxseed to Horses
Flaxseed is easy to add to your horse’s regular feed:
- Start small: Begin with ¼ to ½ cup per day and increase gradually.
- Maintenance amount: Most horses do well on ½ to 1 cup (about 2–4 oz) daily.
- How to serve: Mix into grain, pellets, or a soaked mash.
Always introduce new feeds slowly to allow your horse’s digestive system time to adjust.
And as with any dietary change, consult your veterinarian or equine nutritionist for specific recommendations, especially if your horse has metabolic or digestive conditions.
Choosing the Right Flaxseed Product
Not all flaxseed is created equal. For horses, it’s important to choose flax that’s:
- Cold milled: Preserves nutrients without heat damage.
- Non-GMO: Free from genetic modification.
- Naturally grown: No pesticides or preservatives.
- Certified: Look for USDA Organic, Kosher, and gluten-free labeling.
Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® golden flax meets all these standards. We’ve been growing golden flax since 1906. Every bag is Non-GMO Project Verified, grown with regenerative farming practices, and milled in our FDA-inspected, Kosher-certified facilities.
Our finely and medium ground flax options come in 25 lb bulk bags, perfect for horse owners, stables, and farms.
Shop Premium Gold’s Finely Ground Flaxseed 25 lb bag and Organic Medium Ground Flaxseed 25 lb bag
FAQs on Flax for Horses
Is cold milled flaxseed better?
Yes, cold milled flax protects nutrients from heat damage and extends shelf life. Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® process keeps flax fresh and stable for 24 months without refrigeration.
Is milled flaxseed good for horses?
Absolutely, ground flaxseed allows horses to fully digest and absorb its nutrients. Whole flax often passes through undigested, so milled flax is the preferred choice for coat and digestive benefits.
How much ground flaxseed should a horse get per day?
Most adult horses benefit from ½ to 1 cup (2–4 oz) daily. Start slow and adjust based on your horse’s weight, activity level, and condition.
Is flaxseed good for horses with ulcers?
Yes, the gentle fiber in flax helps soothe the digestive tract and may support horses prone to ulcers by reducing irritation in the stomach lining.
Give Your Horse the Benefits of Better Flax
From coat shine to gut health, flaxseed is one of the simplest ways to improve your horse’s well-being naturally. Choosing the right product makes all the difference, and that’s ground flaxseed that’s stable, safe, and easy to digest.
At Premium Gold, our True Cold Milled® golden flax stays fresh up to 24 months from the date of manufacturing with no refrigeration required. It’s Non-GMO Project Verified, grown using regenerative farming practices, and trusted by animal owners nationwide.
Give your horse the benefits of fresher, safer flax. Shop Premium Gold’s True Cold Milled® golden flax today.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your horse’s diet or supplement routine.