One of the most famous pirates is Blackbeard. His real name is Edward Teach, and he went around frightening people into giving him money and suchlike. Despite having a reputation of being a bit of a troublemaker, there is no record of him actually murdering any of his prisoners.
Oats are also commonly used as feed for horses when extra carbohydrates and the subsequent boost in energy are required. The oat hull may be crushed (rolled or crimped) for the horse to more easily digest the grain, or may be fed whole. They may be given alone or as part of a blended food pellet.
There's evidence that oats may help keep cholesterol levels healthy. A risk factor for heart disease is high blood cholesterol levels. A major review of the benefits of oats was carried out by Dr Carrie Ruxton in 2008. She analysed 21 studies and the results were published in the British Food Journal.