Phytotherapy

Barley grass

Hordeum vulgare (leaf grass)

Mechanism

Barley grass is the young leaf grass of barley harvested before stem formation. It contains chlorophyll, carotenoids, B vitamins, vitamin C as well as minerals and trace elements and is traditionally used as a supplementary supplier of vital nutrients. Robust controlled studies in horses are largely lacking; its use rests predominantly on experiential knowledge, and the declared nutrient contents vary depending on harvest time and processing (fresh juice vs. dried powder).

Cautions

· Nutrient contents vary considerably depending on batch and processing
· Does not replace a requirement-based base ration of roughage

Sources

NRC 2007NRC — Nutrient Requirements of Horses (Grundration/Raufutter)

GfE 2014GfE — Empfehlungen zur Energie- und Nährstoffversorgung von Pferden

EFSA FEEDAPEFSA — Bewertungsgrundlagen für Einzelfuttermittel pflanzlichen Ursprungs

Equiterna Score

59/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7.8/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageapprox. 15–30 g dried powder/animal/day (large horse), per manufacturer's instructions

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyVery safe

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Barley grass a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Barley grass as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Barley grass allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Barley grass is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Barley grass?

Stated in the profile: approx. 15–30 g dried powder/animal/day (large horse), per manufacturer's instructions. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Barley grass?

The profile cites: NRC 2007, GfE 2014, and EFSA FEEDAP.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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