Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    I generally feed a bran mash when I won't be riding the next day
    and my mare has had a hard work or I suspect that she is feeling
    a little off.  A bran mash has a laxitive affect on their digestive
    system so it is not unusual for the horse to have a loose bowl 
    movment the next day or so depending on the amount of mash fed.
    
    
    I add apples or carrots to the dry bran and then add enough hot
    water so that the bran and apples are not quite covered.  The bran
    soaks up the water and the apples get soft.  Some people add flax
    seed or linseed meal to the mash as well.  
    
    I have never had a problem with mixing the mash with her regular
    feed schedule.  I do eliminate the regular grain ration and feed
    the mash in its place for that meal. 
    
    
    Pat

    Thanks Pat
    
    My two were being fed a 50/50 mixture of bran and sweet feed
    (Omilene to be exact) by the previous owners who said they only did that
    because the people they bought them from did that!  That just wasn't
    a good enough reason for me.  I checked into it with my Vet (as
    well as reading everything I could get my hands on) and came to
    the conclusion that it really wasn't necessary.  So, I slowly weaned
    them off it (subtracting 1/4 qt. every 3 - 4 days).  No problems.
    
    This is my first winter with these two and was told that
    they could both use some extra meat on them.  I cut the grain about
    in half and began supplementing it with pellets.  Gradually, of
    course.  Well, that was about 2 months ago and I am happy to report
    that they are "plumping" up quite nicely.  There personalities are
    SO MUCH BETTER also.
    
    Would adding a little bran and hot water matter at this point?
    It sure "sounds" like a nice idea on cold days.  Guess that because
    I enjoy a good hot meal on cold days I'm thinking maybe they would
    too.
    
    What do you think?  Could it hurt just every now and then?

    I don't think it can hurt but you have to make sure you wash the
    feed tub after unless your guys lick it clean. Frozen mash doesn't
    sound like fun. I have found my horse like hot "tea" I just give
    them warm water when its really cold and they try to drink it all
    before it cools. This is a good way to make sure they drink enough
    water in cold weather.
    Sandy
    

    Thanks!  Sounds like a super idea...
    Maybe even stir in a little molasses.

    
    I like to feed a bran mash on Sunday for the evening meal.  I don't
    usually ride on Monday so they have that day to just loaf and play.
    When I mix up the mash I have a 2 or 3 pound coffe can that I fill
    half full of dry bran and then cutup onew large apple and add it.
    Sometimes I add raisins or carrots as well.  I then add just enough
    hot water to cover the bran and put the plastic lid on so that the
    mixture will steam and wrap the can in a towel so that I can carry
    it to the barn.  By the time I get through grooming and cleaning
    out the stall the mash is cool enough to feed.  I use a seperate
    bucket instead of her regular grain tub because any mash that is
    left in the feeder will mold and could cause major problems if the
    horse eats it.  With the seperate bucket I can take it in the house
    and scrub it out and know that it will be o.k. to use the next time.  
    
      One of the main reasons a bran mash is fed is to prevent impaction
    colic that can occur in the winter in horses that don't drink enough
    water.  I know I would have to think about sticking my face into
    a bucket of ice water and a lot of horses would rather go thirsty
    than do that.  
    
    Pat

    
    	I feed a bran mash once a week - all year 'round.  I use 1/2
    	of their normal grain ration and 2 qts of bran.  To this, I
    	add 4 large carrots and apples (for each nag).  I boil water
    	and stir while I add in enough to wet it all.  I then cover
    	the bucket with a towel and let it steam for 10-15 minutes
    	depending on how how long it will take to cool it enough for
    	the nags to eat.  I used to add caro syrup or molasses - but 
    	now since they look forward to it so much I just add in the 
    	carrots and apples and they love it - they half close their
    	eyes and have happy faces ;^}.
    
    	I started feeding all year 'round because I have one horse
    	that will be 33 and his teeth arn't that great.  He colicked
    	on me one time - but luckly he was just "stuffed up".  It has
    	been 2 years and no problems with once a week mash schedule.
                                     
    	I do feed it if my horse has worked _extremely_ hard but I use
    	1/2 of the above ration.  I would not feed his regular ration.
    	Hay would be as usual though.                              
    	
    	I have a friend that feeds bran every night...  I feel that
    	this is too much - but it seems to work for her.  
    
    	I also water with warm water in the winter - but then again
    	part of that is because SUSAN HAS NO WATER OUT AT HER
    	BARN!!!!  I think I could "think" about not hauling jugs of
    	water out to the barn at 4am if I "had" to.... 
    
    	Susan

    I fed my mare a bran mash the other day with carrots and just a
    bit of molasses, which she promptly gobbled down.  As I got ready
    to leave the barn with the bowl that the mash had been in, she
    came after me and shoved her face in the bowl looking for more!
    I think she thought it was quite a treat.  
    
    Re .6 We have a standardbred that is 25 and had problems with
    his teeth, and choking on his food.  We now prepare his food by
    using 2 quarts of pellets and a handful of sweet feed, wet it
    down with water and let it soak for 10 minutes.  Its a lot easier
    for him to eat as he hasn't choked in over 2 years, and we do
    this year round and he loves it!

    
    	RE: .7
    
    	That's something to keep in mind if Nashoba really can't eat
    	his grain too good.  I would try to "wet down" his grain.  So
    	far, he has been on complete feed for 7 years and gets hay
    	every once in a while - but reminds me of an old man with
    	chewing tabacco.... he spits the hay out...  heh-heh-heh....
    
    	He keeps he weight really well - but gets much more then my
    	other horse.  Cody (15.1 and 1200lbs)when working really hard 
    	only gets 6 qts of grain (Trotter and Charger and hay) and Nashoba 
    	gets 10 1/4 qts.  I "seem" to have to raise the ration about
        1/4 each year.
    
    	I do make sure that there is not uneaten grain in his manure
    	and he has been on Source for 9 years.  I want him around as
    	long has he is happy and willing to stay!
    
    	Susan 

    How much bran should one use (it sounds like a good idea)?
    If I feed 3 qts twice a day, do I eliminate a serving and feed
    3 qts of bran mash instead?
    
    M

    We decided that instead of re-designing the feed rations and contents
    to just stir hot water into the usual mixture of pellets and
    grain (ie: sweet feed) until moistened.  Other wise it seems like
    they are eating DRY ceral...yuch!  The whole intent being to keep
    water in the animal during cold weather.  Who likes to drink lots
    of cold water when they're outside in the winter???
    
    
    ps: THEY LOVE IT!!!
     

    RE: 9
    
    	You could do a half and half split... it is a very safe measure.
    	And yes, this would be your grain ration for one feeding (the
    	mash that is..) I still feed my normal hay amount.
    
    	I do a bit more then half and half - using half of my grain
    	ration to 2 qts bran.  But this is _my_ way of feeding bran
    	at my humble abode....  Someone else may like a different measure
    	for their cridders..                              
    
    	Susan

    RE: 11
    
    	Correction... that should read..
    
    	I do a bit more then half and half - using half of my grain
    	and 4 qts bran for each horse's mash.  (This is the measurement
    	I use for my once a week mash.)
    
    	I use a half and half ration IF I am giving a mash after
    	VERY HARD work - or LONG travel (such as 12 hours hauling in
    	a trailer).
    
    	Susan
    
    	I just went over my notes above my grain barrels....

    
    re:12
    
    	4 qts bran?  I thought it would mush down when wet, but am 
    finding this not to be the case.  I found for now, they like 1 qt
    bran and 2qts sweet feed.  As the winter goes on, I will try to
    change the ratio to include more bran.  Adding water to the sweet
    feed sounds like a good idea too.
    
    

    I used to give a small (1lb) bran mash before I went to bed each
    night, stirring in some sweet feed for taste.  Than the vet told
    me that bran absorbs calicum (sp) and that this can cause a definiency.
    I stopped feeding this every night and left if for Sunday's and
    after hard and stressful days (like showing).