bran for constipation?

[Janetterose]

I am feeding my horses Winergy Equilibrium on which they are doing very well - apart from the fact that my mare is bunged up wit droppings like a rabbit. I have been trying warm bran but have been told that it is not ideal due to possible calcium inbalance?

I am having to feed supplements for hooves and dont really want to end up adding another main feed as that was the idea of the Equilibrium. Anyone got any views on the best laxative solution in these circumstances?

 

[arwenplusone]

Bran should work as a laxative but I would make sure you feed limestone or something rich in calcium with it such as alfalfa to balance the calciumhosphorus ratio

I know you don't want to feed anything else but I would be questioning whether the Winergy is the right food for your mare if it is bunging her up?

Just my opinion though!

 

[TGM]

Have you tried adding water to the feed and letting it soak it before feeding? In the wild, a horse's feed (ie grass and other plant material) has a high water content, whereas bagged feeds are usually dry. I always soak feeds before feeding.

 

[Janetterose]

Yes, I am soaking and she is getting plenty of haylage. I may try taking the bran away and if it happens again consider a change in food. She is not a good doer but at the same time quite fizzy so I need to feed her something which will keep the weight on but not heat her up. I liked the idea of Equilibrium for the peace of mind knowing everything was in it.

 

[TGM]

Sounds like a good plan. If when you remove the bran you find she is still bunged up then you could either try feeding an unmolassed beet alongside the feed (which is still laxative but doesn't have the calcium/phosphorus problem) or you could try feeding an alfafa/beet product (ie AlfaBeet/Fibrebeet) with a vit/min supplement. I

Alternatively, if you want a complete feed, you could try feeding soaked High Fibre Cubes.

 

[ThomasTank]

Also TGM she could feed straights with linseed.................Sooo much better

A nice scoop of oats, alfa a and bran with a dollop of cooked linseed..............................No oats dont fizz horses up and linseed is easy to do.

All so much cheaper

 

[carthorse]

Epsom salts in a bran mash,

 

[TGM]

Well I class AlfaBeet as a straight! I'm assuming that the OP has a specific reason for not feeding cereals, as she has chosen Winergy Equilibrium, which is marketed as cereal-free.

I feed mine straights - but most of them are on just plain Alfa Beet. However, the old girl gets Alfa Beet, micronized barley and veg oil. Alfa Beet balances the grains much better than bran does, and veg oil provides the shine and calories that you get from linseed without having to cook it!

 

[ThomasTank]

[ QUOTE ]
Well I class AlfaBeet as a straight! I'm assuming that the OP has a specific reason for not feeding cereals, as she has chosen Winergy Equilibrium, which is marketed as cereal-free.

I feed mine straights - but most of them are on just plain Alfa Beet. However, the old girl gets Alfa Beet, micronized barley and veg oil. Alfa Beet balances the grains much better than bran does, and veg oil provides the shine and calories that you get from linseed without having to cook it!

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah allright ya flash cow

 

[TGM]

I'm disappointed - I thought you would at least try and argue with me!

 

[Janetterose]

High fibre cubes sound like an idea but what about condition - she does have trouble keeping on the pounds (unlike me!)

 

[TGM]

Try adding some oil to the soaked cubes, or an oil-rich food like like Bailey's Outshine.