Overview
The millet seed is a grain that has been around since biblical days. The seed grows in hot, dry climates all over the world that are not friendly to other grains such as wheat and rice. It is a healthy meal in the barn or snack in the field for horses that helps to keep their bones strong.
Where it Grows
The millet seed is grown in hot and dry areas such as India and Africa. These two countries have grown the seed for thousands of years and it still covers about 100 million acres of their land. China, Egypt and Russia are some of the other countries that grow millet seed.
What it Looks Like
The millet is a very tall grass that resembles corn. Depending on the variety of the seed it can be as small as 1 foot tall or as large as 15 feet in height. The millet seeds themselves are in colored hulls that are on top of the plant. The color of the hull depends on the variety of the seed.
Grazing in the Grass
Not all varieties of millet are suitable for horses to eat as they graze in the field. The types that are better for them are pearl, brown top and Japanese millet. These millet types are good in part because there are very few diseases associated with them. They also contain silica, which is very good for horse bone health.
Millets That are Bad for Horses
White millet is generally not harmful for horses. However, when a horse overeats white millet, it could lead to problems that include an overload of oxalates. Oxalates interrupt the horse's natural ability to absorb calcium, which could lead to lameness. Also a danger lies with the hay of the sorghum millet. When eaten over long periods of time, some horses have experienced a degeneration of nerve sensations in their hind legs.
Storing the Millet Seeds
The millet seeds need to be stored in airtight containers in order to use them as horse feed in the future. Moisture is bad for the seeds, so its storage place should be very dry. Therefore, the lifespan of a millet seed if properly stored can be from several months up to possibly a couple of years.
Millet Enemies
The millet plant has a few natural enemies. These include weeds, crabgrass, stinkbugs, chinch bug, corn earworms, webworms and other insects that like hot, dry weather. Weed control applied early and often with new crops of the seeds can be very helpful. Also, careful inspection of the plants performed every few days can help the plants and seeds grow to fruition.
In Conclusion
Millet has been a healthy part of the horse diet for a long time. It is also a species that is found in many varieties that will grow where other seeds will not.
