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Horses

The amount of feed required by horses is determined by its size, workload and shelter. Feeding sprouts can replace 100% - 60% of your current hard feed diet. Horses that need a high starch feed will require a supply of starch from conventional feed such as steamed flake barley. The high moisture content of sprouts benefits digestion and recovery after work. For digestive health it is recommend that a horse consumes a min. of 1.5% of its body weight as dry matter. This needs to be considered when calculating the required roughage to balance your horse's diet when feeding spouts. Due to the high nutritional value of the spouts, using the sprouts mat as the primary nutritious feed for your horse removes the dependence for often expensive prime Lucerne. Alternatively, you are able to offer your horse grassy hay or even straw, for roughage while feeding the sprouts.

Size & Workload of Horse Feed Rate Kg/Day (Wet weight)
Mini - Pony 4
Light Work < 16h 8
Cutting, Trail Ridding 8
Jumping, Dressage, 1DE, Mare & Foal 12
Harness, Endurance, 3DE, Racing 16
18H + Heavy Horse 20
Thoroughbred Racing 24


Other benefits observed that are associated with feeding Barley sprouts:

  • Properties known to reduce the incidence of ulcers, inflammatory laminitis, tie-up, compaction & colic
  • Reduce recovery time after hard work
  • Exceptional growth rates in yearlings
  • Stimulates appetite, especially during conditions of heat stress
  • Fed daily, maintains a horse's well being by aiding the digestive process and supplying protein and high levels of cool energy. This allows a horse in work to maintain the bulk essential for an extended campaign
  • Improvement in general appearance and coat condition
  • High in digestible fibre, which is digested into volatile fatty acids & is readily absorbed into the bloodstream as a source of energy
  • Sprouts contain higher concentrations of the freely availably minerals important for animal nutrition, compared to grain prior to sprouting
  • Helps replace essential fluids lost in work and increases hydration, especially in regions where heat causes excessive loss of fluids from sweating
  • Provide essential amino acids and vitamins which encourage early breeding (D Cuddeford. PhD Royal School of Veterinary Studies)
  • Improved behaviour
  • Higher milk production in lactating mares

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