Bran Mash For Minis??

[blondiecowgirl]

I have always made bran mash for my horse.. and I was wondering if it would be safe to give to a mini?? Bran Mash consists of dry bran, warm water, apples or carrots, and maybe some maple syrup. This mash helps clean out all of the sand/dirt that they might have swallowed during grazing or eating their hay off of the ground. Its healty and they love it, :bgrin I give it to him about once a month.

THANKS

 

[disneyhorse]

Contrary to popular belief... bran mashes are NOT good for horses!

My vet does NOT recommend wheat bran to feed to horses for any reason. He ESPECIALLY says to not feed it on a daily basis, as it is too high in phosphorus.

You are a little confused about clearing out sand and dirt. Wheat bran cannot clear out sand and dirt... the only products which have been shown (through their laxative effect) to help clear out sand and dirt is PSYLLIUM as well as WHOLE flax seed.

Old horsemen were under the impression that since wheat bran is laxative for humans, it must work the same way for horses, too. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of fiber that a horse consumes (consider hay, for example!) bran really has no effect!

My vet says that it is a bad idea to change any animal's diet suddenly. So why would you feed a large amount of foreign food all at one time?

To help encourage water intake during a colic, or provide a warm treat if you live somewhere cold, consider feeding beet pulp daily. You can just make it warm to make it close to a "mash"! If you are unfamiliar with beet pulp, try searching the forum by using the "search Topic" box below.

:

I'm sure others will chime in. Most Forum members seem to be pretty enlightened on the bran and beet pulp subject.

Andrea

 

[Marty]

This mash helps clean out all of the sand/dirt that they might have swallowed during grazing or eating their hay off of the ground.

No it does not.



Old horsemen were under the impression that since wheat bran is laxative for humans, it must work the same way for horses, too.

Disneyhorse is correct again. Since I am "an old horseman" I had to change my very old outdated ways.

Recent research does show that the use of beet pulp mashes can help elimanate sand to help avoid colic; so I do make a sloppy beet pulp mash now for lunch especially since it's so hot to help keep them hydrated. You may like to do that too, and yes, I do like to add carrots, but not syrup no thank you on that.

You can also use Sandblast or Sandclear or any of the physillum products designed to expel sand and dirt.

Best wishes to you! :saludando:

 

[mondak]

I feed bran mash to my horses once a week (minis included)...Yes it is high in phosphorous but as long as you supplement it with calcium to keep the right ratio, the excess doesn't matter.

Courtney

 

[blondiecowgirl]

I feed bran mash to my horses once a week (minis included)...Yes it is high in phosphorous but as long as you supplement it with calcium to keep the right ratio, the excess doesn't matter.

Courtney

How Could I supplement with calcium!!Thanks,

Courtney (courtney is my name too!!) :new_rofl:

 

[nootka]

My vet has the same thing to say about bran mash, it's not healthy and there are far better things to feed for the desired "effect" (such as a treat, etc. or for whatever physical reason one might dream up.).

My horses love a warm soup of beet pulp drizzled with a tiny bit of molasses and then I mix some psyllium into that if I want to add the sand clearing benefit.

I have never fed bran to my horses and they all seem quite healthy (i.e., only one instance of heat-related colic in over 20 years of horse ownership, big and small), as well as quite happy with the treats they DO get.

I don't think it would "hurt" your mini in very small and infrequent amounts, but why not choose something better suited for the reasons you list to feed it at all.

Liz M.

 

[MountainViewMiniatures]

Sorry, bran mash even supplemented with calcium is not good for any horse - horses do best on the same regular rations, day in, day out. It may sound boring to us but due to the way the horse digests food with the utilization of food specific bacteria feeding a horse bran mash once a week actually increases the chance of colic. This is the short form but it is definitely not a good thing to do

 

[SWA]

Nevermind.

: It's just so not worth it.

:

 

[mondak]

Since I feed Alfafa also, the phosphorous and calcium balance themselves. You can buy Ca supplements like Cal-Plus to feed them. Just be sure to properly balance your ration to know how much of the supplement to give them. Also, never add it to the bran itself and the bran has a Ca bonding agent in it that will slow the absorbtion of the Ca by the horse.

Courtney

 

[nootka]

I myself am just curious why anyone would feed something to horses that has no benefit whatsoever and requires adjustments to compensate for...?

I mean I know they like it, but if they developed a taste for something poisonous, would you steam it up and serve it to them, too? Probably not...

i think most people feed it because THEY like to give it to their horses, but mine are plenty happy with their beet pulp soup to which I can add grated carrots, applesauce or slices, a drizzle of molasses, or even soak some of their complete pelleted feed if it seems they want something as a treat.

There are good alternatives for a treat to make you both feel good with lesser risk of causing a nutritional imbalance and risking colic. Those that claim it to help with sand should likely consult their vet for something more appropriate. Mine likes psyllium and that's what I have used for over twenty years now.

Liz M.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Those that claim it to help with sand should likely consult their vet for something more appropriate.
Liz M.

I do agree with consulting your vet for nutritional advice, but what happens when they tell you to give it? I've had two different vets tell me to Bran Mash my minis. One of the vets was an "old-horseman" type vet and the other vet is into modern medicines.

: Personally, bran is a little messy, so I prefer giving psyllium, although many people say that only giving that to them for one week out of a month is also a sure way to colic or that if they are getting adequate hay, they don't need that extra fiber. Can't we ever win???

 

[Minimor]

The others are right, bran mashes are really of no benefit. Given frequently/regularly their effect is negative, due to the calcium/phosphorous imbalance they create. Bran is useless for clearing sand. It is unfortunate when someone's vet tells them differently, because owners think their horse is safe from sand colic if they are giving bran, and they don't bother with any other form of sand clearing product.

Given once in awhile bran mashes do no harm--I know people that give them once every few weeks, just because doing so makes them feel good--their horses suffer no ill effects because of it, and the bran isn't sufficient or frequent enough to affect the calcium/phosphorous balance.

For anyone using bran in an attempt to prevent sand colic, please check out some other product to use instead. The bran is not protecting your horse.

 

[lilfolks]

I give my minis bran mash once every week ususally and they love it and I believe it helps not to have colics. I just mix the bran with hot water and some oil, mix well and let cool until it's right for eating.

They sluph up like it was the best food they ever had.

Joyce l

 

[rabbitsfizz]

As has been said, bran does no good and it does nothing to prevent colic if your horse is on a sensible diet.

I agree that using it regularly can be dangerous- horses will eat pretty much anything so their enjoying it is no test of it being good- mine would eat cardboard if I put honey on it and regularly attempt to kill themselves eating polythene bags that have blown into the field!!

I would not give bran, I do not normally have it on the place- it is a very old fashioned remedy and it can also leach- I think - vitamin A out of the system given too often.

You need to talk to another Vet!!

 

[lilfolks]

I do believe the bran subject is a matter of choice and what works for you. I have had minis since 1986 and I've used bran all these years without problems. I think it is a matter of choice and to be guided by your Vets and teaching universities.

 

[nootka]

(Sorry, it's already been said very well.

)

(particularly Jane's post after this one)

Liz M.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Lil folks it is not a matter of the number of years it has "worked" or not as the case may be, but the new thinking that has come "on the market" since bran was first used.

When I started in horses (and Dinosaurs roamed the earth) you gave a Bran mash every Monday morning after a w/ends hunting- it was just what was done.

I cannot say whether the horses would have been better without it or were better for it, all I can do is tell you none of them dropped dead.

BUT would I feed it now, knowing what I do??

No way!!!

There are much, MUCH better ways of giving a horse a treat (not that I think they require this, but still) than giving a bran mash.

There are much much better laxatives- in fact bran is a very poor laxative.

There are MUCH better ways of dealing with sand- in fact bran does not deal with sand.

Asking the Vet also seems to be, in some cases, a waste of time, as the OP got her info to feed bran mash form a Vet- to clear sand, when you have only to do a Google to find that it does not do this, in fact sugar beet is better!!

 

[lilfolks]

I appreciate hearing the "newer" information on Bran but since I've had no problems I see no reason to change what I'm doing. And will discuss it with my Vet when fall shots come and see what he says now.

I checked with other mini owners in the area and they are still doing it also.

Joyce

 

[rabbitsfizz]

You must do what you wish, personally, I had no problem with Quest or Bute BUT I would no longer use either as I have learned better.

That for me, is the mark of a good horse keeper- they never stop learning.

 

[disneyhorse]

You must do what you wish, personally, I had no problem with Quest or Bute BUT I would no longer use either as I have learned better.

That for me, is the mark of a good horse keeper- they never stop learning.

I totally agree, Rabbitsfizz!!! Just because something HASN'T HURT ANYTHING YET doesn't meant we can just go on blissfully ignorant!

In "the old days" I used to feed bran mashes and straight alfalfa. I pride myself in now being "enlightened" and providing a better diet for my horses! I also like eliminating the chance of illness and injuries with better horsekeeping, as they can be expensive! Some people have to learn the hard way though.

Andrea