Has boiled barley water got a lot of sugar in it?

[Birker2020]

I have another post in this section entitled 'horse too full of energy' but would like your opinions on whether the water from the barley that is boiled for the hunters has much sugar in it?

Its tipped into my horses feed, along with other horses feed, these horses are on little to no work. His feed x 2 a day comprises of a good handful of Good Doer Chaff which I bought last night (at the moment mixed with a little readigrass to use it up and introduce new chaff), a mug of pasture mix, a mug of nuts and supplements. He has to have feed for supplements and bute. He is on walk only rehab at present, due to injury and is walked about 25 mins 3 or 4 times a week in the school, with a 30-45 min hack on Saturday and Sunday.

I've cut down on the pink powder to one scoop a day, carrots and other forms of sugar but would be interested to know what you think about the barley water. He only has about a third to half a pint but surely this is full of sugar and therefore energy?

I'm happy for him to continue having this if it is non heating. I would be interested to know your thoughts please. He really seems on his toes at the moment, and I think its either the readigrass or the barley water.

 

[Orca]

I would say it is energy rich, sugary and potentially heating. Essentially, it would have similar properties to boiled barley, just without the bulk. I think the nutritional content transfers well to water, which is why barley water is a valued drink in some parts of the world. I'd avoid it in a horse I wanted on a low energy diet (i.e. I'd definitely not give it to my mare ).