CHIA BECAUSE YOUR HORSE WONT EAT TUNA February 08, 2015 14:59
Chia a brother to mint and a long lost staple of the Aztec diet. has made a resurgence over the last couple of years. It has been classified by the United States Federal Drug Administration as a "Dietary Supplement" and its nutrient profile qualifies it as a recognised "healthy food". This super seed has a nutritional Curriculum Vitae that would rival a Harvard MBA:
| Vitamins | ||
|---|---|---|
| Folates | 49 µg | 12% |
| Niacin | 8.83 mg | 55% |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg | 13% |
| Thiamin | 0.62 mg | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 54 IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1.6 | 2% |
| Vitamin E | 0.5 mg | 3% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 16 mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 407 mg | 9% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 631 mg | 63% |
| Copper | 0.924 mg | 102% |
| Iron | 7.72 mg | 97% |
| Magnesium | 335 mg | 83.5% |
| Manganese | 2.723 mg | 118% |
| Phosphorus | 860 mg | 223% |
| Selenium | 55.2 µg | 1% |
| Zinc | 4.58 mg | 42% |
But it is the 32-39% oil content that makes this seed the super feed supplement for your horse. Chia seeds are high in Omega-3 essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, which the horses body can not create. Omega-3 is said to assist in maintaining and improving:
- Joint inflammation and swelling associated with Arthritis
- Heart and Cardiovascular Health
- Helps to decrease triglycerides (fat) in the blood stream
- Eye and Cognitive (brain) function
The Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio is 3:1, which means there is three times more Omega-3 than 6, this is said to be the perfect ratio for humans. While there is no clear clinical evidence for the perfect ratio for horses, a higher Omega-3 ratio is important as Omega-6 fats are pro-inflammatory.
In this day and age sources of Omega-3 are becoming scarcer, horses in the wild would have gotten their dose from natural foraging. However as we have taken away their natural range lands and have domesticated them. They rely on us to feed them a balanced diet that meets all of their dietary requirements.
Fresh grass contains high amounts of Omega-3's, nearly six times Omega-3 to Omega-6, yet as most of us know, our horses do not get to graze as much as we would like. As grass naturally dies off or is cut, the vast majority of this natural source of Omega-3 is lost, as it is very volatile.
So where is your horse going to get their Omega-3 from, their bodies can not naturally synthesize it, nor can they pop a couple of nature's own fish oil tablets. But maybe next time they are at the beach they can take a bite out of a passing whiting, no It is up to us to get it in their feed buckets.
Chia is one way to get it in you horses feed bucket another good alternative is linseed, yet Chia is ready to go, no processing or soaking, just scoop and pour, next ingredient please. The only readily available feed ingredient, high in Omega-3 fatty acids - without processing - is Chia.
This little seed with the S on its chest, more protein than wheat (13.7%), barley(12.5%), corn (9.4%), oats (16.9%) or rice (6.5%), Chia has between 19-23 % protein. Chia the one stop plumbing shop, moves sand better than Metamucil moves you toward the lavatory. Chia the Aztec version of Swisse Multi-Vite, it is an excellent source of Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper. And don't get me started on Antioxidants.
One seed with a big reputation and a resume that supports it, so if you want to get Omega-3 into your horses feed bucket without it smelling like the John West factory, then feed Chia.
Dosage information:
- Chia can be fed everyday, however we recommend feeding it only 5 to 6 days per week.
- Feed 1/3 of a cup or 58 grams per horse per day for a horse on pasture.
- Feed 2/3 of a cup or 116 grams a day per horse that is stabled.
- We recommend 2/3 of a cup for horses that are growing, seniors, undergoing rehab or campaigning.