CHIA 4 EQUINE

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a specific question not answered here, please email us:

Dry vs. Wet Feeding

We recommend feeding EquineChia dry for three reasons:
1. It is more palatable to most horses dry.  Most prefer it compared to the wet texture.
2. It is easy to feed by top-dressing.
3. All the digestive benefits exist when feeding dry or wet, so dry is usually easier.
Chia seed is gelatinous and gets soft and slimy when wet. It does not have a shell or husk that requires processing or soaking. This unique feature of Chia seed makes it 100% digestible. The mucilaginous nature of chia seeds gives strong digestive benefits. Unlike dry pellets or other dry supplements, chia seeds do not cause compaction or choke. EquineChia provides gastric and digestive support and healthy GI tract movement.

Note: A few people soak EquineChia and feed a wet mash which is fine, but some horses do not like this wet texture so definitely try it dry if your horse will not eat it wet.

Is EquineChia Safe for Human Consumption?

EquineChia is the highest quality of Chia Seed found anywhere in the world and is 100% natural and organically grown. EquineChia Seed is kept in clean animal feed bins, which are used exclusively to store Equine Chia. For human consumption, we recommend purchasing from www.GetChia.com, Tell them SEI Corp referred you and receive a special welcome gift.

Will EquineChia Test Positive in Drug Testing with Organizations like USDF and USEF? Is it Legal to Show While Feeding this Product?

No, EquineChia will not test positive for banned substances. Chia Seed is 100% pure with no forbidden or unknown substances. It is safe and legal to feed during competition. It is 100% natural and organically grown. There are no added substances, herbs, chemicals or preservatives. Chia is an oil seed that comes from the mint family. The FDA approves Chia as a safe dietetic food for humans.
A statement from the USEF says; “The use of certain herbal products in a horse or pony might result in a positive drug test, i.e., a finding of a forbidden substance. Trainers, owners, exhibitors, and their veterinarians are cautioned against the use of medicinal preparations, tonics, pastes, powders, and products of any kind during shows, including those used topically, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not specifically known, as they might contain a forbidden substance.”

Is it Safe to Feed EquineChia to Pregnant Mares?

Yes, Organically grown EquineChia is 100% natural, 100% digestible, completely safe to feed to pregnant mares, rehab horses, seniors, weanlings and all ages and breeds of horses.

Does EquineChia work for Sand-clearing?

Yes, EquineChia is excellent for clearing sand. Your horse will not need additional psyllium products. Chia seed produces thick mucilage in water. This gel (soluble fiber) cleans the intestines by binding and transporting debris from the intestinal walls so that it can be eliminated efficiently and regularly. There is evidence in field research that EquineChia reduces the incidence of sand-colic, since oil works as an intestinal lubricant. Chia has the substance essential to healthy cell life--a balanced property of giving out nutrients and readily taking up debris, such as sand and dusty mold. The gelatinous property of the seeds is soothing to the GI (gastro-intestinal) tract, reducing inflammation. Chia is high in Omega 3 oil, which is anti-inflammatory and healing. Always offer abundant, clean fresh water that is above 60 degrees (not icy).

What are the Countries of Origin for Your Product?

Our Chia Seed is the highest grade chia seed that is organically grown found anywhere on the planet!

We source and import directly from our respected grower network, in Ecuador and Bolivia, which has consistently grown the finest chia in the world and has the correct climate for growing chia seed that contains more of the Omega oils than when grown anywhere else in the world.

How much would a miniature horse require daily weighing 250 pounds?

We recommend 1/4 cup daily (about 1.5 oz.) dose for ponies and miniature horses below 300 lbs. EquineChia is very safe to feed and nearly impossible to overdose. It is NOT a grain. It is a low-glycemic oil seed. Chia seed is approved by the FDA as a safe dietetic food for humans. Chia is very safe to feed. It will not cause colic or founder like grains. Chia is a “cool-energy” food source, highly effective for insulin-resistance and horses that require a low structural carbohydrate diet. Feed less to smaller or young mini's or those on maintenance. EquineChia comes with a 1/3 cup (2 oz.) scoop for average horses. You can use this same scoop and fill it only half-full for mini's, or use a standard tablespoon and measure 2-3 tablespoons.

Can EquineChia be Fed with Other Horse Supplements?

Yes, EquineChia is 100% safe to feed and works with other supplements. EquineChia provides gastric support to help horses gain maximum nutritional benefit from their feed. It is 100% natural, organically grown. It helps detoxify by removing debris and toxins, as well as giving out essential nutrients, protecting the mucous lining and enhancing digestive support.

Does EquineChia Help with Ulcers?

Yes, EquineChia sets up a protective barrier between gastric acid and the delicate mucous membranes that line the stomach. Horses are prone to ulcers because they constantly produce stomach acid, which is especially harmful during times of stress such as shows, hauling, weaning, etc. Chia is an effective product to prevent and heal gastric ulcers. Water-laden chia seeds form a thick gel (mucilage) that provides necessary gastric support. Notably, this mucilage remains tightly bound to the chia seed and exhibits a large molecular weight (basically, it’s super thick!). This high-viscosity chia mucilage produces greater metabolic benefits than low-viscosity dietary fibers, including significantly increased intestinal transit time, delayed gastric emptying, and a slow rate of glucose absorption, which levels blood glucose. To prevent ulcers at stressful events, feed at the intense dose of 4 oz. (2/3 cup), or split into two feedings of 2 oz. (1/3 cup).
What are "Extreme Temperatures" of Storage?

Chia seed can safely store in temperature fluctuations of below freezing up to 100 degrees F. To extend the storage life of Chia seed up to the maximum of two years, it is ideal to keep the temperature within a 40-degree variance. However, Chia is proven to withstand extremes of -20 to 110 degrees F. The natural antioxidants, inherent in EquineChia, stabilize the vitamins, minerals and most importantly, the Omega oils, which can quickly go rancid without antioxidants.