This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Uncommon Feed /treats for Equines »
  Discussion on Steamed Rolled Barley
Author Message
Member:
Byerazz

Posted on Monday, Sep 19, 2005 - 8:05 pm:

OK has anyone else heard about feeding Steam Rolled Barley for weigh gain. I have read all of Dr. O message on feed, weigh gain, EPM, and Ulcers. I had blood work drawn and concerned have him testing for EPM was so told not to bother. I have been trying to get weigh on him for the last year and it seems impossible over him topline and point of butt. I had someone tell me that Barley works great on Thoroughbreds. SO has anyone else out there tried this.
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Monday, Sep 19, 2005 - 8:47 pm:

Hi Sarah,
I have never heard of feeding Steamed Rolled Barley but I would like to share with you my success story for fattening up a young mare. I was able to pack on some much needed weight by feeding my horse all the hay she wanted - up to 20 pounds a day in addition to being on pasture. I fed her around 7-8 lbs of grain a day in two meals, a sweet feed with 12% protein, 10% fat, and 10% fiber. She also got 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in her morning grain and evening grain. In addition to all of that I added in a weight gain supplement - Fat Cat was the name...I think. When the temperature DrOpped in December I blanketed her so that she wouldn't burn up calories trying to keep warm. She also received a beet pulp mash every now and then to help keep her warm and fat. This also is a horse that is part thoroughbred. Hope this helps. Ann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 9:14 am:

Hello Sarah,
Without an examination and a complete review of your feeding program, specific recommendations can easily miss important facts that contribute to your problems. EPM is not a primary cause of difficult keeping and without colic or poor appetite clinically important ulcers seem unlikely.

We discuss barley and special processing like rolling and steaming in the article on concentrates and grains in the nutrition section. I would recommend you review our article on Overview of Nutrition to see if there might be something you are missing and, if all looks well with your diet, see Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Weight Loss in Horses » Overview of Chronic Weight Loss.
DrO
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 2:34 pm:

Rolled barley cooked up into a mash with a little linseed to add palatability and shine is a well-known traditional recipe for weight gain on TB and similar horses. I've done it, it works but it's a pain unless you have a Rayburn or Aga or similar type of stove where it is easy to simmer large pots for hours.

I've posted how to do this here before so if you do a search on barley and linseed you should find it.

All the best

Imogen
Member:
Byerazz

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 4:12 pm:

Ann,
Thank you. Unfortunately this is about what I am doing. I have tried numours fatting supplements with not real good result. He has gain weigh over his point of butt but it can still be seen. I have read Dr. O's articles from fat supplements to Ulcers and EPM. I rode with a canadian rider last year that told me to try rice bran so that is what he is on now and a 14 % protein 6% fat grain. I also started him on Source WT about 3 or 4 weeks ago. My vet wants me to try a Anabolic Steroid called Equipose but I am not into that just yet. I had someone that swears but this rolled Barley and told me to just try it for 30 days because it is great for putting a top line on TB and that is about all he needs.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 4:52 pm:

"I had someone that swears but this rolled Barley and told me to just try it for 30 days because it is great for putting a top line on TB and that is about all he needs."

i thought work put a top line on a horse....


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 5:10 pm:

Sarah, since you don't give details on the size of your horse, the condition, and the amounts it is difficult to give specific advice but the article I reference above gives a step by step program for feeding underweight horses. Source does not have any calories so is unlikely to be of benefit for weight gain. This and other info in your post suggests you are not following the program.

For more on anabolic steroids see, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Miscellaneous Drugs » Anabolic Steroids: Equipoise, Winstrol, and others.
DrO
Member:
Byerazz

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 5:31 pm:

Dr. O I did not give detail because I was not asking for suggustion on what to do with him but asking if anyone had heard of feeding Barley. I have read and reread your article and again re read it today. I am feeding just like you suggust and even am working with Purina Mill which is the manufacture of the grain I currently am using. The only think I am doing differently is added Rice Bran. You have a added area about adding a fatting supplement which I have also read.
I have used source in the past with great result. Source it not get to add fat like most supplement but it help the body digest the food better and to get the most out of it and since I had done everything else people are telling me to do I am thinking there may be a mal absorbtion or mal digestion issue I thought I would give it a try. I will do some reading on these Steroids and see what you have to say about that. I thought alot of dressage would help the top line but know it has not. BY the way my horses is 17.1 and a calm acting TB that is 14. I am feeding him 12 to 14 lbs of Omolene 200 twice a day and try to split it up to three times and as much hay as they will eat of ALF. That I do not know how much it weighs. I guess I will have to weigh it.


Omolene 200®


Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein, % not less than 14%

Fat, % not less than 6%

Fiber, % not more than 6.5%

Calcium, minimum % not less than .6%

Calcium, maximum % not more than .9%

Phosphorus, minimum % not less than .50%

Copper, ppm not less than 55

Zinc, ppm not less than 220

Vit. A, IU/lb not less than 3000

Selenium, ppm not less than .6

I understand one thing works for one horse that does not for another but I do nto get it. HE looks good everyone but his topline and point of butt. HE even has a shiny coat.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 - 6:33 pm:

I apologize Sarah, I will not trouble you again.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC