[WildHorseSpirit]

Hi guys,

I have a question on the use of BOSS and Flax Seed together.

How much per horse should be fed?
I have a couple of girls who have lost weight and need a few more pounds dropped and one mare who doesnt get along with carbs much.

Can I feed each *11yo,10yo,3yo* 1 cup Boss and 1 cup Flax and their hay? Would this be sufficient? Or too much?

[Shotgun93]

What else are they getting? Hard feed and hay....

[Dawn]

If you're looking for weight gain, you're going to want to feed more BOSS. 1 cup of BOSS is going to weigh approximately 1/4 lb. Minimum that I've fed for weight gain is 1 lb of BOSS. I'm currently feeding 1 1/2 lbs (approximately 6 cups) to one horse.

Of course how much you'll need to feed depends on exactly what else they're being fed.

[Sue B]

Agree with Dawn.,,,,
Flax is not generally used for weight gain....but does help with it because it acts as a prebiotic, increases intestinal tract health and boosts the immune system for overall health. Recommended level of flax is 1/2-1 cup/day.

To balance omega-3s and 6s for optimal fatty acid benefits, recommended level of BOSS to flax is approx 2-3x BOSS to flax. So, generally, at least 2-3 cups of BOSS for 1 cup/flax. But, more BOSS will not be harmful...and as Dawn said, at least a pound or slighty more of BOSS is best for weight gain. But, at the same time, you should stay with the recommended level of flax.

[WildHorseSpirit]

I was wondering if it would be a better thing to feed than LiteBalance to keep weight off, I got it backwards thanks!

I thought I had read that Flax was good for horses with founder......No, my horses are too heavy for my liking. They don't need weight gain.

Thanks all!

[Dawn]

That would be me that didn't read! It says lbs dropped!

[Sue B]

Oh sorry...I read that wrong also...
Flax is recommended for horses with founder....as is BOSS...but that is because not all foundered horses are overweight.

You can feed BOSS in limited amounts without any weight gain. Flax will not generally cause weight gain....but if it does...it is just a little in light of the improved overall health of the horse.

Although I don't have any experience with it...LiteBalance is designed for easy keepers and should work ok for you. If you don't like the results, a ration balancer would be a better choice....but I know a lot of people are pleased with th the equivalant of LiteBalance....so if that is the most convient, I would give it a try.

[WildHorseSpirit]

I love Litebalance but was thinking the Boss/Flax would cut carbs etc even more and still have the good stuff.

[WildHorseSpirit]

PS Sue names of some ration balancers please? LOL

[Sue B]

Ration Balancers:
Purina - Born to Win
Triple Crown - 30% supplement (for grass hay)....also have a lower one for alfalfa
Pennfield - All Phase Balancer Pellet
Also, on called All Phase in Canada...but don't know who makes it.
I think Blue Seal has one...but don't know the name of it.
Poulin also has one.....
Nearly every feed company now has a ration balancer....they might be found under their supplements rather than feeds.

Flax and BOSS would probably be lower in carbs....but will not provide a balanced diet. I would suggest that if you want to go that route that you add a qulaity vit/min supplement.