Anyone remember Zero Grass?

[JillA]

This was a system which was around in the late '80s, of hydroponically sprouting barley, which was then fed in mats of green shoots (looks like grass) and roots, as a hay or grazing substitute? A friend reminded me of it when we were talking about old horses with minimal teeth - it might be just what Sabria (29 year old arab mare signed over to Equine Market Watch and in our sanctuary) needs, among others. She doesn't really manage hay(lage) and so is struggling to eat enough fibre to keep her going and she hates fibre nuts.
Does anyone know of a redundant system sitting in someones barn which they would like to donate to a good home i.e. EMW Shropshire sanctuary? There were some which looked like the big fridges shops have for drinks, milk etc, and some which were like a half oil barrel with a lid. I'd be happy to collect and pay a small amount if necessary.
I could sprout some barley in plastic trays, I have done it before, but it would be so much easier (and rat proof) if I could get hold of something like the proper system - trays with water in them for the barley to sprout in and a cover which keeps it from getting too cold and also lets in light.

 

[alleycat]

I remember it & would also like to trace a system for my own use; but I don't think it really took off in this country. I was considering building my own system, as I had a mare who only seemed to be able to hold her weight with green grass; this was some years ago & I could not find a ready made one then, either new or second hand.

I did find lots of DIY type kits & equipment in "Exchange and Mart"- and probably this would now be on the internet too- for hydroponic grass growing systems; but when I sent for info I discovered that though the growing principles were the same, the sort of grass wasn't.... Seemingly the hydroponics experts in this country are the folk who grow cannabis, and they are way ahead of the game. I even got sent a glossy seed catalogue through the post offering about twenty varieties of hemp seed as collectors items... Seemingly this is, or was, legal as they weren't being offered for propagation... Aye, right!

Anyway, though the old mare is no longer with us, I'd still be interested in a Zero Grass type system. Keep us informed if you find a source, and I hope you do find something for your old mare!

 

[JillA]

I think it might be possible to make one, if I could get hold of a shop fridge with a clear front door and shelves for trays. All it needs is several plastic trays to hold a small amount of water, a source of light and some barley, with a small heat source in winter. It isn't grass (of any sort) but sprouted barley.
You need at least 7 trays, for a seven or more day cycle - I did do some in trays on the windowsill years ago, but with 7 it took too much room up.

 

[Northhorse]

I remember it well - from what I can remember at the time, there was a lot of discussion about the actual feed-value of the end product and the running costs.
I think it died a death 'cos it was cheaper to buy dried grass products like alfa-a.