Why sprout seeds for your horse. 

Germinating a seed, like a sunflower seeds will change the composition of the seed in numerous beneficial ways, grains & seeds contain enzyme inhibitors which keep the seed dormant (asleep) they also keep the nutritional wonders locked up tight until they are soaked. Soaking neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors that are present and starts the production of numerous beneficial enzymes.

• It becomes alive with a flow of energy & life force; it changes from the inside out.
• Your horse is no longer eating a seed, it is now eating a tiny plant, and baby plants have a delicate cell wall which makes them very easy to digest.
• Sprouts are enzyme rich (they give body vitality & spark; they play a critical role in the digestive system.
• Abundant in natural minerals & vitamins, (this is very important I will talk about synthetic Vs natural later).
• High levels of nutrients that the body can use.
• You get H.O.P.E, which stands for hormones, oxygen, phyto chemicals like (antioxidants) & enzymes.
• What can you sprout—alfalfa, broccoli, quinoa, lentils, mung beans, sesame seeds, sunflower, oats, barley, wheat, fenugreek, buckwheat, etc.

 

Step 1

Always start small with something easy, so decide what suits your pocket $$ (do not rush out and buy 25kg of a particular seed) and see what seeds you can source.

Some simple seeds to start sprouting are quinoa, sesame (black if you can), amaranth, fenugreek, millet, alfalfa, broccoli, lentils and mung beans. They all have super benefits, for everything you need to know about sprouting plus an amazing sprouting guide, buy my book "SEEDS TO FEED" available at www.equineherbalist.ie

 

Step 2

Your containers- you can buy sprouters and sprout bags at your local health food shop or online. Or you can make your own sprouter, you need glass jam pot, elastic bands and cheesecloth or a good old sieve.

Everything must be really clean- this is important.

 

 

Step 3

How to grow your sprouts..pop the seed of choice in the bottom of your jar lets say 2 table spoonfuls and fill your jar with water now, leave about an inch from the top. Leave your seed to soak overnight and you will see them swelling up before your very eyes. After a while you will get good at quantities and what to sprout and when..you will even get adventurous and starting mixing your seeds for sprouting!!

 

 

Step 4

Drain off that water that your seeds have been in all night..(get rid of it).

Re-fill your jar with clean water and rinse them little seeds again, pouring the clean water off them, leave them now with no water but you need to repeat the rinsing process at least every few hours until the sprouts are ready I like to rinse 3-6 times a day this is what keeps a healthy seed.

               Seeds can be left upside down to drain.           

Depending on the seed you have chosen to sprout they will be ready now to eat, or wait a few days, you can keep sprouts in the fridge, use within 1-2 days. Smell and taste everything if in doubt throw it out!!

 

 

 Quick guide to seeds.

• Quinoa- use straight away after soaking or sprout for 1-2 days.
• Sesame- use straight away after soaking or sprout for 1-2 days.
• Alfalfa- will take 3-6 days to be ready- start in jar and then need to move to a bigger container as they multiply.
• Fenugreek- can be used straight away after soaking or 2-3 days of sprouting.
• Mung beans- need to be soaked in warm water- then sprouted in the dark for 1-2 days then in the light for 4-5 days.
• Lentils- must be sprouted for 4-5 days.
• Millet- use straight away after soaking.

To start using your sprouts on your self and your equine friends just start with a handful daily. You can enjoy them in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, on your cereal what ever way you fancy. And for your equine friend feed them as a treat daily, or add them to the normal feed.. slowly building the amount up.

My horses are on 100% raw sprouted diet that includes our competition horse.

  sprouted fodder (barleygrass) in picture.

 

R.Kelly, Equine Herbalist sprout on!!.