First, it is important to introduce horses to new forages by limiting grazing time initially (up to several hours per day). The more grain in the seed heads on standing forage, the more potential you have for problems, as grains contain high levels of carbohydrates. This may be a major problem for horses that are prone to Equine Metabolic Syndrome and/or Insulin Resistance.
Additionally, any plant with awns (prickly stem which attaches to the seed) has the potential for creating minor irritation in the mouth.
The incidence of digestive upset will be highly variable and difficult to estimate, as horse intake patterns of wheat vary greatly, as does the selectivity of grain head consumption. If turning the horses out to pasture, you should monitor intake patterns and limit daily grazing time.
