Once believed beneficial as a laxative for horses that had worked hard in colder weather, wheat bran mashes were often fed once a week. This addition of a “new” feed to the horse's diet once a week goes against the guidelines horse owners are given to change a horse's feed safely: horses should have their feed changed gradually over multiple days to avoid stomach upset and gastrointestinal distress, reports The Horse.

Another issue is that wheat bran has a high phosphorous level; out of balance calcium-phosphorus levels can cause hyperparathyroidism, also called “big head” and “bran” disease. This disease can lead to lameness, painful movement, and difficulty breathing. Though unlikely that a horse would develop this condition being fed one bran mash a week, many wheat brans have been replaced by rice brans that are fortified with additional calcium carbonate.

Bran mashes were also used to entice picky eaters and ill horses to eat, but the same can be done by adding warm water to a horse's normal pelleted or textured feed to create a mash. If the horse doesn't get fed a grain diet, adding water to hay pellets can create a mash.

Adding salt or electrolytes to the warm concoction can make it even more valuable to a horse that has been exercising heavily. Adding a carrot or apple peels to the mash may entice a horse to eat.

If feeding a bran mash is still desirable, it's worth a conversation with an equine nutritionist to make sure the horse is being fed a balanced mineral profile.

Read more at The Horse.

The post A Better Bran Mash? Avoid Digestive Upset With These Tips appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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