Feeding Bran

Swift00

Swift00

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Hi all,
My pony is a good dooer, possibly currently towards the upper end of good condition, but going into winter i don't see it as a problem.
He is 13.2hh welsh section c, 12 years old, currently he is receiving a double handful of HI-FI Molasses free and NAF Slimline supplement. Last saturday he choked, so the last week, as suggested by a friend, i've been adding a handful or two of bran to his feed to make a nice sloppy feed.
Pervious to adding the bran, Swift hadn't been to interested in his dinner (despite being muzzled!) often leaving bits, including supplement, but adding the bran seems to of made him hoover it all up, and lick the bowl clean! so i was wondering, knowing that bran in too high in phosphorus, would it do any harm to be feeding him a handful or two max, a day, along with a handful of the molasses free to put his vitamins in? or would this be detrimental in the long run?
All thoughts appreciated:)
 
If your feeding bran, make sure you feed limestone flour with it as feeding without takes all the calcium out of the horse? (i think thats the reason... please someone correct me if i'm wrong).

I've always been told that bran is just a filler not a weight adder (excuse bad use of English there...).. but again, i could be wrong.

:)
 
Thanks for the reply, yes i had heard that there was too much phosphorus compared to calcium, just wondered if one or two handfuls would be bad or if it was if feeding in large amounts that it became a problem??
And yes just as bulk/appetiser, Swift definitely doesn't need the extra calories!
 
Thanks for the replys, was trying to stay away from sugar beet, as soaking is a pain, especially in winter, anything else that would add calcium that doesn't need soaking?
 
I feed my oldie sloppy bran, along with other things. It helps keep his gut moving after a couple of colic scares.

I just add a bit of limestone flour in case it is an issue.

Limestone flour is only crushed rock and very cheap, cant do any harm either.
 
Thanks for the reply's, It's good to know that Alfalfa is high in calcium, will have a look into limestone flour.
thanks again
 
A couple of handfuls is fine, especially along with Alfalfa which has a high calcium level.

Speedibeet only takes a few minutes to soak and if you are stuck for time then soak overnight, I put mine in a Tupperware type container to protect it from vermin and it keeps it fresh.

CAlcium is added to Sugarbeet when they are processing the sugar out of it.
 
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