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    You are at:Home»Resources»Feed Materials In Focus»Feed Materials in Focus – Linseed and Hormones in Mares

    Feed Materials in Focus – Linseed and Hormones in Mares

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    By David Marlin on 28 September 2020 Feed Materials In Focus, Research/Papers

    LINSEED AND HORMONES IN MARES! 

    You may have seen claims that linseed/flaxseed should not be to fed to mares because it’s “oestrogenic”. 

    Oestrogenic (estrogenic) means stimulating oestrogen (estrogen) producing (-genic = causing or producing). Increased oestrogen is linked to estrus behaviour (“heat”) and can include tail raising, frequent urination and erratic/unpredictable behaviour towards both horses and people. 

    Clearly, if linseed could induce such behaviour it would be unwise to feed it to mares. 

    So what evidence is there that linseed is likely to affect mares’ behaviour adversely? 

    Below is a quote from Dr Eleanor Kellon from a post in 2009: 

    “All phytoestrogens are not created equal! A common feature is that they can bind to estrogen receptors. However, the effect of that binding depends on the type of phytoestrogen. In flax/linseed, it is lignans, which are very different from things like genistein or dicoumarol. 

    “The lignans in flax/linseed are transformed by bacteria in the bowel into compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors. Unlike other phytoestrogens, they DO NOT STIMULATE THE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR SO THEIR EFFECT IS ACTUALLY ANTI-ESTROGEN!. For example, soy stimulates estrogen receptors and flax/linseed can at least partially block that soy effect.” 

    So apart from its high omega 6 (inflammation-causing) and low omega 3 (inflammation-reducing), this is another reason not to feed to soy to mares. 

    In addition, a study published in 2011 by Swanson and Hammer found no evidence of linseed/flax stimulating hormones in mares.
    http://www.j-evs.com/article/S0737-0806(11)00264-4/abstract 

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    Related posts:

    1. Feed Materials In Focus – Why and How to Feed Oil to Horses
    2. Feed Materials In Focus – How much linseed should you feed?
    3. Feed Materials In Focus – The Safety of Feeding Linseed/Flaxseed to Horses
    4. Feed Materials In Focus – Is Feeding Corn Oil Good for Treating or Preventing Equine Gastric Ulcers?
    Flaxseed hormones in mares Horse linseed mare
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    David Marlin

    Dr David Marlin is a physiologist and biochemist who has worked in academia, research and professional sport. He has worked in the equestrian and veterinary world and in human sport, healthcare, medicine and exercise science. In 1989 David obtained his PhD from the UK’s leading sports university, Loughborough University following a four-year study on the responses of Thoroughbred racehorses to exercise and training, undertaken at the renowned Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. You can read David's full biography in the Our Website section.

    Related Posts

    Feed Materials In Focus – The Safety of Feeding Linseed/Flaxseed to Horses

    Feed Materials In Focus – How much linseed should you feed?

    Feed Materials In Focus – Why and How to Feed Oil to Horses

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