Do you think feeding a horse bran is a good thing?

Question

I am looking after a friends horse while she is on holiday. He is kept in at night and out during the day. He has a large haynet at night but one thing I am concerned about is the feeds that I am supposed to give him twice a day. They consist of a large scoop of bran and some chopped up carrots.

I am not inexperienced with horses, I had my own horse for 17 years. But I always thought bran should not be fed on a regular basis because of the imbalance of calcium and phosphorus.

Answer 1

Horses are terrible people.

Answer 2

You don't specify the type of bran.  Is it wheat bran or rice bran?  Is it stabilized?  If it is stabilized, the calcium and phosphorus have been balanced.  Wheat bran is not advised for horses as a daily food source, but stabilized rice bran is a good fat source.  The carrots are high carbohydrate, and it seems they may be being fed excessively.  I assume the horse gets pasture or hay, or both as well.

Answer 3

I agree with you that its not usual to feed just bran but there isn't a lot you can do at the moment as he isn't your horse. Talk to your friend after her holiday and its also a good idea to read upon the subject and maybe print off some articles

Answer 4

fallen angel is right, bran is totally unbalanced. I would have a chat with the owner when she comes back from holiday

Answer 5

I agree - I would only give my horse bran as an occassional treat every few weeks - maybe your friend doesnt realise the effects that this is having, it surely wouldnt cause a fallout if you mentioned it to her. You could broach the situation by fibbing and saying you used feed it to your horse regularly as well until someone pointed it out to you - it will just make her feel less stupid if she thinks you made the same mistake too

xx

Answer 6

Stick to what she's asked for now, but you are right.

Answer 7

We feed all the ranch horses bran at night and on weekends. Often with carrots chopped up. It's good and they love it!

Answer 8

Bran contains 10 times more Phosphorus than Calcium and a horse needs both in equal quantities or if anything they need more Calcium in their diet. If fed bran a horse's body will start using up calcium stored in their bones to readdress the imbalance, in the long run this causes weakness of the bones. You can feed a calcium supplement with the bran but its so much easier and healthier to feed a good quality mix or nuts.

I know it is difficult to tell someone else how to look after their horse but if you two are friends she may listen to you. I wouldnt change his diet for now as he doesnt belong to you and the change will need to be done gradually anyway. At least he is getting plenty of hay, and grass during the day. Just make sure you are putting plenty of water in his feeds as bran is very dry and can cause choking.

Answer 9

You are correct about that. And the other two people are right as well about the fact that it isn't your horse. Bran is also very fatty, but also contains lots of fibre and helps soften the horse's stool. You never know, you friend may have her horse on bran for multiple reasons she failed to tell you about. Maybe of the horse's own chemical imbalance, constipation, or maybe the horse just simply is picky about the types of foods it eats. I wouldn't change anything without asking your friend. If you are concerned I would just ask someone who has the authority to change or alter the horse's feed other than the owner, that way you aren't at fault and you know it is someone qualified is making the change and not just anyone.

If you are concerned about choking, because bran is so dry (but clearly there hasn't yet been any issues) than feel free to add water to the feed, that just minimizes the choking risk, it actually also makes it more tasty. My gelding won't eat dry bran but goes crazy when I add water to it because the texture is completely different.

The hay at night is great, at least the horse is getting a fair amount of proteins and vitamins. Just be sure to ask your friend when she gets back about her horse's feeding plan, the most you can do is just wait it out and enquire about it when she gets home.

At least then you know you've done your part by enquiring, it is than her responsibility to make sure her horse is being fed appropriately. Just explain to her all your concerns when she gets home and lay it all out on the table. You may want to also suggest some options just in case she is unaware of what the solution is to the possible problem.

Good luck!

Answer 10

bran every day twice a day?

umm never did that, we used it in the winter, heated with treats maybe once a week if that. . . as a hot treat on the cold days. but not feed as like a regular meal.

edit:

Okay, so everyone had to wait till a question like this to come along to thumbs down me?(cause ya cant get me on my answers, cause i just happen to know alittle more then the tweenies and trolls)

it's what I did with my horses and what my trainer did with hers, and it's still what people in my area do. so sry to the 4 people with the bugs up their butts, but your way isnt the only right way and bite me. It was my opinion and you shouldnt thumbs down people for their opinions, where are all your great answers??? I dont see em. trolls.

HPTS

Answer 11

You're right about the imbalance.  Since he's not yours, there's not much you can do about it, right now at least.  If I were you I'd find some relevant articles online and print them out for your friend, to give to her when she gets back.