🌾Horse Feeds and Barley
- Natural Horse NZ
- Mar 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 7
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.
FEEDING PLAN
To view our anti-inflammatory free feeding plan with real, whole food ingredients, check out this link:
Continue the Food for Thought Horse Series
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