Skip to main content

PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

Simple keyword search (one or two words only)

 


BRIEF: Can flax seeds be poisonous to horses?


QUESTION:
Please advise me where I can get competent information on the toxicity of flax seeds if fed to horses. I would like to feed a half cup per day of raw, ground flax seeds (horse is 1500 lbs/warmblood), but I've been warned flax seeds are "poinsonous" unless boiled first? I'm aware flax contains a goitregenic glucoside, but I thought that this is not severely toxic and would have to be fed in extremely large amounts for goitregenicity. Am I mistaken?

ANSWER:
Flaxseed also contains cyanide-releasing glycosides in varying amounts. You would want to find out how much is in your particular batch before dosing horses with it.