With regards to previous conversations about feeding....esp bran...

M

MizElz

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 July 2007
Messages
6,295
Visit site
When I had a tour of a leading racehorse trainer's yard this week, (will not name here - can PM) we could not resist asking the trainer about his feed preferences for his horses. Now, a fair while ago on here, there were some heated debates regarding the feeding of bran; most people are of the view that it is an out of date practice, that bran has a negative impact on the horse's digestive system, and that there are other better alternatives. Well, said trainer does not agree with this at all! He has, in fact, restored my faith in bran completely, for what he said he feeds his horses is pretty much identical to what Ellie receives throughout the winter. And with so many top class winners coming from his yard, there can't be that much wrong with bran....
smirk.gif
 
I so agree with you - and him!

Fads come and fads go but the fact remains that bran, if fed correctly (not too much, adequate supplement etc) will always be around. It's not such good quality nowadays, far smaller than it used to be but it is still a useful addition to the feed room and more importantly, horses enjoy it!
 
Indeed! Never met a horse that wont eat bran; it was the only way we could get Ellie to eat anything at all when we first got her! As you say, in small quantities, it is a wonderful feed
smile.gif
 
It was suggested to me to feed a bran mash once a week for my horse on box rest to just keep his insides ticking over, I ran it by my vet and she said great won't do any harm and my horse has loved it so far!! After 9 weeks box rest his droppings are fine so assume it has been helping.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It was suggested to me to feed a bran mash once a week for my horse on box rest to just keep his insides ticking over, I ran it by my vet and she said great won't do any harm and my horse has loved it so far!! After 9 weeks box rest his droppings are fine so assume it has been helping.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am a bran fan, it's a good fibre source, the secret is to make sure you feed with a calcium rich feed (sugarbeet, alfalfa etc), if not you need to add limestone flour. Bran can be actually fairly good for condition, mainly due to the fact that it is a fibre source.

Having said all that, If you do feed bran, it needs to be everyday and NOT once a week, by feeding it once a week you are upsetting all the microflora in the gut. Your vet is exactly that, a VET not a nutritionist.
 
We always fed bran when I was a kid - only reason I don't know is that it apparently has a detremental effect on joint supplements and the intake of calcium
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top