Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

[ageecee]

thinking about using this in the feed for my mare. Do the seeds come in the shell or can you buy them without the shell?


Can you give them the seed with the shell? If so are there any problems associated with this?


What about sunflower oil?

[Bondama]

Ageecee, I used black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) to assist with weight gain in an elderly TB rescue mare. They have a very high fat content which is beneficial. Some feed stores have them, some don't. Walmart has them and most of our local grocery stores do, too, in the pet aisle. They are fed with the shell on, and I have not witnessed anything negative from their consumption. Assuming your horse's teeth are okay, it should have no problems. I added 2 coffee cups of BOSS with each grain feeding. Now and then we'd have a sunflower or two pop up in the pasture as well!

[Sylvie Hebert]

i have used black sunflower(in shell) seeds for 10-12 years now.high fat content,most horses just love them,cheap.only drawback is lots of omega6 that promotes inflammation.evidently that is the case if you have inflammation to show ...so may be you see it faster?...or is it bad?..,anyway never had any problems and been feeding 6 onces to every horse everyday since 1996...you can balance with something that has lots of omega3 i suppose.i also make horses cookies using them...

[ageecee]

Had teeth done 2 months ago so thats not a problem. Will get some and feed them to her and see if she eats them. Thanks for the replies..

[Lisann]

I fed BOSS for a number of years. Never came across a horse that wouldn't eat them. I switched to Kent's Omegtin when the price of BOSS went up.

[griff]

Isn't sunflower seed and oil one of those things that are high in Omega 6??

griff

[Retrospectiv]

Agree on the BOSS.

Most all horses like them, helps with weight gain and great for the coat to boot.
You'd probably find more resistance to adding oils to the feed. While I used to add a cup of corn oil to the oldtimer's feed, some don't care for the texture, especially if they're not getting a lot of hard feed.
If you're looking to help with weight, you can also add beet pulp and alfalfa pellets. Good sources of fibre.

[ageecee]

Ive been using Canola oil and have noticed some looseness in her stool so ive cut back on the oil. Going get some seeds today.

[skywatcher]

I like to mix BOSS and flax together to fatten up any skinnies
one has Omega 6 the other Omega 3 to balance

and my manure pile always has a sunflower or 2 every summer to brighten up the place!

[Shammy Davis]

Ageecee: I noted that you said the teeth had been floated, but I can tell you from first hand experience that you need to monitor the stools when you begin feeding whole seeds to insure that everything is getting completely masticated.

Undigested whole seeds can irritate the bowel and cause colic. Be observant.

[ageecee]

Havent used the seeds yet. Her stool is somewhat loose but im really feeding her a lot and probably need to cut back. Plus alfalfa morning and nite is not helping her stool either.

[Strategic Maneuver]

You might try Probios granules or tube to offset loose stools til she adjusts to richer feeding program. Prolonged loose stools will negate weight gain you are trying to achieve.

[madelyn]

Havent used the seeds yet. Her stool is somewhat loose but im really feeding her a lot and probably need to cut back. Plus alfalfa morning and nite is not helping her stool either.

Too much protein (ie: pure alfalfa) can cause excessive urination and subsequent weight loss. For really good steady safe weight gain, soaked beet pulp is a good solution.

[Shammy Davis]

Madelyn posted:

. . . For really good steady safe weight gain, soaked beet pulp is a good solution.

Very good advice. Keep your feeding program simple and straight forward.

[Sylvie Hebert]

if you use probios use 3 times recommanded amount,otherwise it is useless.