BOSS

[orin]

do you feed BOSS and if so how much do you feed?

 

[Raine Ranch Minis]

do you feed BOSS and if so how much do you feed?

I feed it. I think (without going and looking) I feed 3/4 of a cup twice a day. Not sure how much that weighs. I can go weigh it in a little while.

 

[jessj]

My mare is 36inches. I feed her 1/4cup twice a day. The BOSS has made a HUGE difference in her coat!! It is softer, shinier, and has richer color!

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

BOSS is great for improving coats

but.... be very careful how much you feed since it is very hi fat and will pack pounds on too if the horse gets too much.

 

[Tremor]

I started feeding it to my weanling, yearlings, and lactating mare. I feed all of them 1/4 lb once a day.

 

[LittleRibbie]

IMHO.. several years ago everyone got on the BOSS bandwagon including me...I used it for about 2 yrs., I dont know weight..i'd just throw a handful in each bucket I couple of my guys looked great...I dont think it made a huge difference on the others .Im not so sure BOSS ever had anything to do w/ the shiney coats or if it was just old fashioned curry comb sessions. Im not sure why I stopped using it.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Mine only get 1/4 c a day. I used to grind it, but they've been crunching it up for years. Haven't ever gotten off it so I don't know what they would look like if they didn't have it.

 

[ruffian]

My show horses get it starting April 1 and throughout the show season. I definitely see an improvement in their coats.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Has anyone tried just feeding Sunflower seed oil instead of BOSS? Ive fed boss in the past, but I have trouble finding the BOSS without the "bird coat" crap on it, which the horses cant have. I know the reason for feeding boss is because of the oil in the hulls, so im thinking I could just feed sunflower seed oil and get the same effect. My walmart carries the oil for around $3.50, and it would take up way less space to store too.

 

[orin]

Thanks guys. I've seen it mentioned on here quite a few times and was thinking of using it for an extra nice coat on my boy.

 

[Jill]

If you're open to other ideas, I've found that ground flax seed REALLY brings out the bloom and also helps with spring shedding. I've never used anything I thought did a better job conditioning coats. Plus, I am not comfortable with the idea of my horses eating sunflower seed shells -- no matter how many other owners feed BOSS.

 

[cretahillsgal]

Has anyone tried just feeding Sunflower seed oil instead of BOSS? Ive fed boss in the past, but I have trouble finding the BOSS without the "bird coat" crap on it, which the horses cant have. I know the reason for feeding boss is because of the oil in the hulls, so im thinking I could just feed sunflower seed oil and get the same effect. My walmart carries the oil for around $3.50, and it would take up way less space to store too.

I'm not sure on feeding oil. I have heard somewhere that adding certain oils to feed will coat their stomach and they end up absorbing fewer nutrients. Can't remember where I heard that or if it is even true. Just wanted to throw this out there.

I have fed BOSS and gave 1/4 cup, x a day. Also have fed flax seed ground up. I got it in boxes on the baking supplies aisle at walmart. And just added about 2 tablespoons to their feed 2 x a day.

 

[orin]

i can get flax oil from my feed supplier which is much easier for me. would that do the same as flax seed?

 

[mydaddysjag]

The flax oil does do the same thing. So far, it hasn't been practical for me. Most of it you have to refrigerate after opening, and I dont have a fridge where I keep my horses, and I live about 1/4 mile away. The brand Ive found that you dont have to refrigerate is AniMed flax seed oil, but after receiving the bottle, I found out that its not actually all flax seed oil, its over 50% soy oil. It runs about $20 a gallon, plus shipping on the gallon. If youve found something that is 100% flax and doesnt need refrigerated, please message me with the brand and name of it, It's defiantly something I would be interested in feeding. Right now I have my horses on a flax seed based supplement, but would prefer flax oil.

From what I understand from our local AG nutritionist, mineral oil coats the stomach, but oils that are plant and grain based are absorbed by the stomach. Thats why you give mineral oil for colic - the stomach cant absorb it, and youll actually see it come out "slimey". You feed corn, soy, flax, etc oil for coat and weight - their stomach can absorb it, and they can digest it. You may see a somewhat looser stool, but not the "slime" that you see with mineral oil.

 

[orin]

http://www.globalherbs.co.uk/equine/flaxoil.html

my local feed store sells this?

 

[Farina]

The flax oil does do the same thing. So far, it hasn't been practical for me. Most of it you have to refrigerate after opening, and I dont have a fridge where I keep my horses, and I live about 1/4 mile away. The brand Ive found that you dont have to refrigerate is AniMed flax seed oil, but after receiving the bottle, I found out that its not actually all flax seed oil, its over 50% soy oil. It runs about $20 a gallon, plus shipping on the gallon. If youve found something that is 100% flax and doesnt need refrigerated, please message me with the brand and name of it, It's defiantly something I would be interested in feeding. Right now I have my horses on a flax seed based supplement, but would prefer flax oil.

Here in Germany we have a lot of brands for flax seed oil but I have never heard of refrigerating it or even that they recommend freezing it. I have never done that and we are feeding flax seed oild or sun flower oils for almost 20 years.