Barley is high in protein and provides digestible energy.  It is high in fat and calories and so is exceptionally good for putting weight on a thin horse. It can also help to keep weight on a horse in winter. It is less likely than other grains, such as oats, to trigger ‘hot’ or ‘fizzy’ behaviour.

However, barley is not a perfect grain and has a poor phosphorus to calcium ratio. It lacks Vitamin A and Vitamin D so always ensure that these are provided from another source.

The grains are hard so need to either be crushed, rolled or cooked (steamed or boiled) before feeding to the horse.  It’s important that grains are provided in the correct form for the horse to utilise.

Some horses don’t like the taste of barley, so mixing it with molasses or cooking the barley can take away the taste.

Don’t forget that if you’re looking to introduce a new feed to your horse’s diet, it should always be done slowly to help prevent any digestive issues caused by changing feed.

• Sodium
• Chloride
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Calcium

• Lack of or inadequate sweating
• Tying up (a muscular disorder)
• Rapid heart rate
• Dehydration
• Impaired performance
• Exacerbation of problems such as azoturia
• Increased risk of colic
• Dull coat
• Sunken eyes
• Depression
• Listlessness
• Dark urine

In addition to an impressive range of horse feeds, we also sell a number of electrolytes supplements. These supplements can be added to the horse’s diet to help prevent electrolyte deficiency. They’re particularly useful to horses in hard work and during hot weather.

Baileys Aqua-Aide - contains key salts, including potassium chloride and magnesium, in addition to the commonly included sodium chloride, plus sufficient dextrose for optimum absorption. It can be fed ad hoc (whenever the horse sweats), on an ongoing basis or before, during and after competition days. Its highly palatable formulation can be administered in water or wet (sloppy) feed.

NAF Electro Salts -  a nutritionally balanced combination of four essential salts, in glucose for easy absorption. To replace salts lost as a result of exertion and during hot weather.

Dodson & Horrell Electrolytes - a dietetic mineral feedingstuff that contains electrolyte salts specifically designed to compensate for nutrient and electrolyte loss in the cases of heavy sweating in horses & ponies.