Feed Requirements

Oaten Chaff is ideal as bulk to mix in with the Feed. Lucerne Chaff is also fed with Oaten Chaff or instead of, to balance out the Green & Roughage in conjunction with Hay and / or Pasture. Excess Wheat products should not be fed to Horses and this is why Oaten Chaff is preferable to Wheaten, especially if feeding Bran.

Bran

N.B: Do not feed Bran that looks like Pollard.

N.B. Bran: is not a Laxative.

Is the outer Layer of Wheat and it is high in the Mineral - Phosphorous and is used heavily along with Wheat & Rice Pollard for many Commercial Pelletted Feeds. In excess it interferes with the Metabolism of Calcium in the Body and should not be fed to Horses prone to Tying Up. Bran is especially useful in making up a small Mash to add Natural Supplements and the Bran should be nice and coarse in texture / bulky.

Rice Bran: is useful for Horses prone to Tying Up.

Wheat Germ: is an alternative but is expensive.

Pollard

Is the inner Layer of the outside of Wheat Germ and should be avoided at all costs for although it fattens it creates Acidity and impairs the Wind through fatness on the inside. Being so fine it impacts in the Gut and causes Colic.

N.B: Rice Pollard is much higher in Energy then Wheat Pollard and should also be avoided.

Energy Foods

Are high in Carbohydrates / Sugars & Starches, which are turned into Glucose / Fuel and Glycogen - excess Glucose stored in the Muscle Cells and the Liver for emergency use. Excess Energy results in sore Muscles, hot sore Feet & fuzzy Behaviour.

Oats

Will make Horses highly strung if fed in excess and if there is a lack of exercise also some Horses will not tolerate Oats and this creates Acid.

*Oats are high in Phosphorus and are useful to balance Calcium in Lucerne and build healthy Muscles & Bones due to their high Silica content.

*Oats should be fed freshly crushed or rolled or soaked in water for 8 hours covered by 20cm of water to soften the Husk and then add all to the feed.

N.B. Do not allow to ferment in hot weather and keep in a cool place or in the Fridge.

*Oats are especially good for Energy for Young growing Horses and for Breeding Stock as they build Muscle.

Barley

Is more Fattening then Oats because it has a higher Energy value but does not heat Horses up if fed properly. N.B: Best to cook the whole Grain gently just long enough to break the Husk and take up the water. Whole Barley can be soaked but they really need to be cooked due to the hardness of the Grain. Cover with 20cm of water, boil rapidly for a few minutes, then turn to low and simmer until the Husks break open and absorb most of the water - Approx. 1 hour. Add the whole lot to the feed when warm not hot especially in the Winter.

*Boiled Barley is a good Conditioner without making the Horse fat inside like Pollard.

*Oats suite some Horses, Barley suites others. Oats is used usually for Muscle building while Barley is used for Body Conditioning. N.B. If Energy is not required they won't want either!

*Soaking, Crushing or Cooking makes whole Oats & Barley more economical and easier to digest, and more is then digested and it does not destroy the goodness.

N.B. Cracked or rolled whole Grain must be fed within a few days so the Nutrition value is not lost.

Corn

N.B. Has a higher Energy level then Barley or Oats.

*It must be cracked every 3 days or must be fed as Corn Oil, which is useful for Horses prone to Tying Up. Begin with 50ml daily for a Horse / 450 kg - but you can go as high as 150 ml daily depending on what other Oils are fed. High in Linolenic Acid that plays an important role in Fat Metabolism creating good Digestion.

+On to Horses - 10.

Situated on the western bank of the Hunter River, midway between Muswellbrook & Denman the doorway to the Heart of Australia's "Horse Capital" in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales., Australia.

John & Sue Markham

RAINBOW FARMS 603 Roxburgh Road., Muswellbrook., 2333.

02 65 479 100 - Fax: 02 65 479 102 E - Mail: www.rainbowfarms@bigpond.com