Fodder for Horses

The advantages of feeding fodder in the diet are undeniable, especially for horses without access to green grass. Fodder is a high-quality forage; on a dry matter basis, it is nearly as high as grain in calories yet higher in fiber. The high water content encourages smooth passage of ingesta through the gastrointestinal tract and could potentially reduce the risk of colic and digestive upset. The vitamin content in fodder is also much better than in hay. Evidence suggests that fodder fosters a balance of microbes in the digestive tract and may increase digestibility of other nutritional components of the diet.

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Supplementing Diets with Fodder

Barley Fodder Sprouted Barley feed livestock nutritional value animal feed how to grow barley fodder forage equine fodder

Higher Bio-Available Nutrients

There is evidence that suggests fodder fosters a balance of microbes in the digestive tract and may increase digestibility of other nutritional components of the diet.

Dried forage, such as Hay is generally considered around 40% digestible, metabolizable energy values are often estimated from digestible energy values. The DE for most hay ranges from 0.75–1.0 Mcal/lb.

Fodder is the digestible equivalent of natural grass and forage. Equid metabolisms have evolved for thousands of years to digest fresh forage with around 85%-95% accuracy.

Equine Respiratory Disorders

Horses who suffer from dust related irritants, coughs and asthma can benefit greatly from fodder. Unfortunately, dried forage such as hay usually carries particles which trigger irritations, resulting in people soaking or steaming their hay. Fodder is moist and clean, absent from any micro-particulates as it is organically grown in an environment which results in optimum growth; all ready to feed in 7 days.

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Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s was of protecting itself while it goes through the healing process, but when left uncared for it can become the root cause of many health issues. Prolonged inflammation can cause everything from arthritis to chronic digestive issues. This also speaks to the recovery time of a horse. The less inflation the body has to deal with, the quicker the recovery will be. Fodder contains numerous vitamins including Vitamin A, which regulates immune function and cell growth and Vitamin K, which is an essential micronutrient that’s needed for blood clotting, bone formation and heart health.

Reduced Risk of Colic & Treatment / Prevention of Ulcers

Not only is colic a serious issue among horses, but ulcers continue to be a growing problem among show horses who deal with high-stress environments on a regular basis. An unstable gastro-intestinal microbiota in the horse (gut health) increases risk for colic. Fodder has shown to create a more diverse and stable microbial population given that it instinctively mirrors a horses natural feed of fresh, live forage.

Less Recovery Time Required After Hard Work

As with any athlete, recovery time shines a light on how healthy and resilient the body is. The longer it takes the body to recover the farther behind an athlete gets in their training. The same is true with horses. A healthy horse that needs less time to recover after hard work is a must from ranch horses to racehorses. Fodder encourages recovery due to its high levels of Vitamin C, which plays a central role in skin health, wound healing and oral health.

Improved Hoof Health

We all want our horses to have better hoof health. Barefoot and shod horses both have a great deal of stress put on their hooves whether it’s out on trails, working the ranch or competing at the highest levels of competition. A stronger hoof benefits every horse. You can achieve this with fodder due to it being high in protein and vitamins; all vital to improving hoof health.

Improved Behavior and Temperament

Having a food scarcity mindset can lead some horses to be temperamental between meals. This is due to them feeling hungry. Feeding Fodder, which is so higher in protein and nutrients, means horses are fuller for longer resulting in a calmer, and friendlier horse.

Higher Energy Levels

Feeds containing more digestible fibers, such as fodder, are digested at a slower rate, resulting in a consistent release of energy over a longer period. This will ensure your horse has better stamina and sustainable performance. Dehydration can also lead to lethargy, and fodder is the ultimate supplement to ensure your horse stays hydrated.

Improved Coat Gloss and Appearance

Feeding your horses fodder will ensure your horses’ coat will be healthy from the inside out not just appear to be healthy. This is because of the high nutrients that comes from Fodder, as well as the ultra-hydrating properties of the supplement.

Stimulates Appetite

Is your horse a fussy eater? Do they refuse to eat at times? Fodder is a reliable appetite stimulant especially during hot conditions when your horse is more prone to heat stress. Horses rely on gut bacteria to produce lots of vitamin B1, which enhances appetite. Give them a lot of fiber and the gut bacteria will feed on this fiber and produce more vitamin B1. Fodder is high in fiber.

Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Some studies suggest that barley grass could help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This may be thanks to its content of insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that doesn’t dissolve in water. It’s speculated that increasing your fiber intake could reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to use insulin effectively. This can be beneficial to insulin resistant horses, and ponies prone to laminitis.

Protects Against Illness and Disease

Fodder is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. These compounds act as antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and protect against chronic disease.

Likewise, hydration in horses is not just vital; it's absolutely essential for their overall health and performance. Horses require a significant amount of water to maintain their bodily functions. Water is crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and regulating body temperature. Without sufficient hydration, horses can suffer from various health issues, ranging from digestive problems to severe colic.

Testimonials For Barley Fodder

Master Eagle Farm trainer BJ Smith continues to wow them even into his 80's. To him, change doesn't come lightly so for him to incorporate fodder into his yard it was a big step. His results since have spoken for themselves and he recommends fodder to any trainer, anywhere in the world.

High Digestibility

David Murphy is a hard working no nonsense trainer that calls it like it is. Noticing how his horses eat their fodder before their grain and hay! His fidgety mares prone to ulcers are helped tremendously!

Post-Surgery Recovery

Desleigh Forster is one of Australia's leading racehorse trainers and has recently trained her first Group 1 winner in Apache Chase. During the 2022 season she has also trained countless winners including multiple listed winners with Exo Lady, Emerald Kingdom and others. The health of her horses and their results have all been tremendous since she began supplementing with fodder and without doubt she will continue to obtain elite results in times to come.

Race Horse Success!

Research Study Proves Fodder's High Value

In a recent research study on fodder, mature, unexercised Quarter Horses were fed 1% of their body weight in hay, 2% in fodder, and no grain. One interesting result of the study: the horses maintained their weight on this diet. Normally, a horse would consume 1.5-2% of body weight in forage daily, but because of the high water content of the fodder (about 85% water), these horses appeared to be consuming 3% of body weight. On a dry matter basis, however, they were only getting at most 1.3% of body weight. The horses were able to maintain their weight on lower dry matter intakes than normal because of the high quality of the fodder.

Link to Study