Flaxseed

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is a commonly used supplement in equine diets for the purpose of improving skin and hair-coat quality. There is also some evidence that suggests that supplementation with flaxseed is beneficial for horses suffering from type-1 hypersensitivity reaction to the bite of insects from the Culicoides genus.

Flaxseed is one of the highest natural vegetable sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Flaxseed also contains phytoestrogens (lignans), flavonoids, and a complex array of amino acids and minerals.