Food For Thought Horse Series: Barley

Horses and Barley

Barley and Horses

Barley is a common ingredient in many equestrian feeds. However, being a high-starch cereal grain, it should be used with caution due to its effects on equine health.

What Is Barley?

Barley is primarily made up of starch, containing 55 to 65 percent of it, which provides a concentrated source of energy. Despite its energy benefits, it's important to remember that horses are naturally adapted to fibre-based diets.

Digestive Impact

Horses' digestive systems can struggle with excess starch. When starch intake exceeds what the small intestine can handle:

- Undigested starch moves to the hindgut, causing rapid fermentation.

- This increases acidity, harming beneficial gut microbes and releasing harmful endotoxins, contributing to inflammation and potentially leading to laminitis.

Health Risks of High Grain Diets

Feeding too much grain, including barley, can result in several health issues:

- Laminitis

- Colic

- Hindgut acidosis

- Ulcers

- Behavioural changes

- Poor hoof quality

Barley Characteristics

With a higher energy density than many grains, barley is often processed (rolled, crushed, or steam-flaked) to improve digestibility. However, processing also makes starch available more quickly.

At-Risk Horses

Certain horses are more susceptible to issues related to barley, including:

- Laminitic horses

- Insulin-resistant horses

- Grass-sensitive horses

- Easy keepers

- Horses prone to abscesses

Barley can lead to increased insulin spikes and disrupt the hindgut microbiome.

Mycotoxin Risks

Barley can carry mycotoxins that may affect:

- Gut health

- Liver function

- Immune response

- Nervous system

Summary

While barley can offer quick energy, it poses significant risks to a horse's digestive system if not managed properly. Understanding its impact on the hindgut is essential for making informed dietary choices for horses.

If you would like to understand horse feeds in more detail and talk through which approach may be better suited to your horse, I offer Feed & Forage Guidance Consultations here: https://www.naturalhorse.co.nz/product-page/natural-horse-feed-forage-consultation