Sprouting Barley for horses

[Courting the Horse]

I am trying to sprout barley for our horses so that they can have a live feed during the winter months but I am having trouble with it going mouldy after about day 4.  has anyone else done this and if so do you have tips on how to prevent this?

It's a fascinating idea so I am keen to get it going properly

[intouch]

I soak whole oats, so far this year they haven't actually sprouted but I put enough for each day in a porus feed sack, cover with water, drain and change water each 24 hours and use after 3 days.  Probably could do 4 days, but 3 is a bit of a flaff.  The oats swell up to about 1 1/2 times their size, I must try a day or two longer, but I think the ttick is to rinse daily.
Why barley rather than oats?

[Courting the Horse]

Thanks for that. I do rinse them twice a day already and it seems to go fine until the 4th or 5th day and then mould can begin to get a hold.  I chose barley because it was recommended by a company who sell large machines/climate controlled cupboard where you can grow lots of barley.  Foddersolutions is the website, can't remember it exactly and it was a long time ago that I read the info so unfortunately I forget the reasons for barley.  But they said you can also add a little alfafa or sunflowers seeds to the mix.

I would love to get it together some day as I'm sure it would do the horses a power of good.

[Christine]

Hi! 

ok I am ignorant... but why do you think more than 3 days are necessary?
Some thoughts:
The mold might come because the green bit wants to grow but there is no air and space for it so it starts to rot?
Or soaking twice a day is too much? Doing sprouts for ourselves I only water them once a day (but I never used barley...)




 

[Courting the Horse]

Well, if you soak them for about 6 days then there is more growth and a green shoot comes out. I think the sugars etc are at the optimum level - i.e. not too high and there is more volume of sprout. 

I had the sprout laid out pretty flat in a tray so I thought they would get lots of air but maybe not.  I will try just once rinse and drain so and see what happens.  They love them and it would actually be a very economical way of providing extra feed in the winter...also it is alive so that's great.

[Christine]

WOW 6 days and flat.... that will fill up a room nicely 

Sorry, I mixed you up with Intouch who has the grain in bags...

Good luck with it!! Let us know when you find a way. 

[intouch]

Had a look at that forage solutions site - looks brilliant, wish I was rich!