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Discussion on Feeding barley
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Member:
nito
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 14, 2011 - 12:25 am:
I have read the overview of grains article and I am unsure as to how to take it. I read other places that barley needs to be rolled or crushed when fed because it has such a hard hull. But in the article it doesn't specify which one or if it is necessary at all.... or if it is ok the feed them whole? I went to my feed store and bought a bag of barley to mix to with my whole oats I am currently feeding and she never said anything about if it was whole or rolled. SO if it is whole is it ok to feed to my horse or will it be difficult for him to digest and get the nutrients out of the whole barley?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 - 8:09 am:
Hello jamie,
Check under the heading "Barley" in the article. It answers your question about as well as we can until more research comes in.
The question I have is why would you substitute barley for oats if oats are readily available as they are a better grain for horses because of the increased fiber and no poorly understood factors like the hard hull on the Barley? Is it considerably cheaper?
DrO
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Member:
nito
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 - 11:57 pm:
I wanted to try barley because it is a little cheaper then oats by almost half the cost per 50 lbs bag. I would use half oats half barley. The bag I got was whole barley. My feed mill was out of rolled. Now realizing it I am not sure if it would be smart to feed the whole barley. The article just states that whole barley has a hard hull.. but it is questionable that fed rolled or crushed helps the horse utilize it... does this mean it can be fed whole? Also a friend of mine said whole barley could cause bloat and other digestive problems so I shouldnt feed it whole but best rolled... I am only wanting to feed about 3/4 a pound per feeding.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 - 8:06 am:
Yes, when fed whole to healthy horses (read that as horses with good teeth) there was no change in how well the horses utilized it. I have not read of any evidence that whole barley causes bloat or other digestive problems again with the caveat in healthy horses.
DrO
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Member:
nito
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 - 10:23 pm:
Dr.o thanks again for your time and responses. I can imagine how busy you are and you don't have time to read the discussion of the link I posted but this is where I am thrown for a loop. https://forums.barrelhorseworld.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=358886&posts =18#M5734587
Are these people relying untrue and unfactual information about feeding whole uncooked barley?
Again thanks for your time.
Jamie
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jun 17, 2011 - 7:40 am:
Jamie, reiterate here the parts that you feel are throwing you for a loop.
DrO
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