Supplement Hero or Zero: Simply Flax

First off, I will say Simply Flax is an absolute hero in my book. Shooter is allergic to fly bites and from early spring until the first freeze he used to be covered in welts even when he wore a fly sheet. A few summers ago my vet recommended starting him on a flax supplement after she saw a major improvement in another horse she treated for allergies. I ordered him big tub of Manna Pro’s Simply Flax and within just a few weeks his welts/fly bites dramatically improved. As the summer went on they almost completely went away and he was able to stop wearing a fly sheet. We have used it every spring thru the first freeze and he only gets a few welts from time to time. I sprinkle about 3-4 scoops on his feed every day and he eats it up.

Flax seed is high in omega-3 fatty acids and several research studies have shown that supplementing horses with omega-3 fatty acids actually reduces inflammation in the body. One study specifically looked at horses with skin allergies and found a significant decrease in allergic skin response when they were fed flax seed. The omega-3 fatty acids are also helpful in reducing inflammation for horses that have arthritis, skin problems and immune issues. Another added benefit of feeding flax is that it makes their hair coat extra glossy and improves their mane, tail and hoof growth. Flax not only contains omega-3 fatty acids but also fiber, B vitamins, anti-oxidants, magnesium and manganese. It has also been shown to reduce excitability. If your horse suffers from allergies definitely consider adding some flax to his diet.

I prefer using Manna Pro’s Flax Simply Flax ($29.99) because it is already ground and ready to go and you don’t have to mess with doing it yourself or feeding a messy oil.

Simply Flax gets the Superhero Unicorn Supplement Award!