The tradition of feeding bran mash to a horse has been passed down from horseman to horseman for many years. This sweet and salty treat is very well liked by most horses who will usually bolt down their rations with gusto. It was said to have many beneficial qualities particularly for the digestive system. Horseman would claim it was a great laxative and was valued for the pregnant mare to help a sluggish system get moving after the birth of a foal. The mash was touted as a wonderful way to get the horse extra water and help in warming the horse on very cold nights when they weren't prone to drink. Now people are beginning to question and some even advise against mashing a horse. Some argue that the high phosphorous content may upset the balance of calcium in the system.http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-make-a-bran-mash-for-your-horse/ The occasional mashing may constitute a change in the horses diet, which should stay regular, and may cause problems such as colic.

For the novice horse owner these arguments may be confusing, so lets start at the beginning. Bran is the outer husk of wheat that remains after the milling process.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx There are several different brans with the most common being wheat bran and rice bran. Both are usually available in bulk from your local feed store, and also may be found and the grocery store.

One of the problems with bran is that it is very lopsided in the calcium to phosphorus ratio, close to 1-12.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx Ideally the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the horses diet should be 1-1.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx If given regularly the extra phosphorus builds up in the system and the body starts to "rob" calcium from the bones, making them weak.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx When given to horses under three the excess phosphorus can cause enteroliths.http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/feeding/feed/eqmash682/

There are some good things about bran, however. Bran is sweet and horses love the taste, so it can be good for a horse that was sick, or is sick, and who does not have an appetite. It can be used to disguise foul tasting medicines to get them into a sick horse. It can be used to encourage picky eaters to clean up their feed.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx Balance needs to be maintained with calcium; however, by feeding high legume hays such as alfalfa, or if feeding grass hay giving your horse 2 oz of feed grade limestone with his feed.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx

One of the biggest advantages of bran is that it has a very high fiber content. Bran fiber is made up of the indigestible cellulose and hemicellulose.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx It is the indigestible parts that can bulk up the feces when fed on a regular basis.http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-health/feeding-bran-3151.aspx You may feed fiber dry and add it to your horses feed regularly so that it is not a big change in its diet, but remember to be sure to balance it with calcium. It's a good idea to check with your veterinarian before making a change in your horses diet or giving him mash.

The most common equipment needed in making bran mash is a bucket and a long wooden spoon to do the stirring. Your bucket may be plastic or metal but make sure it is clean.

The basic ingredients needed for the mash include bran, rice or wheat, boiling or very hot water. Molasses is also a common ingredient along with cut up carrots. Make sure the carrots are large enough so the horse doesn't choke on them.

There are almost endless variations on the simplest recipe that is listed below. Here are a few tips and twists you may want to try.

1. apple sauce or cut up apples. Make sure the apple cuts are not so small the horse can gulp them down with his mash and choke.
2. Crushed up candy canes
3. if you are using rice bran use less water, it may turn mushy with too much.http://www.examiner.com/x-30179-Las-Vegas-Equestrian-Examiner~y2009m11d20-Holiday-Peppermint-Bran-Mash-Recipe-For-Your-Equine-Friend

This basic bran mash will get you started in creating your own:

• 3 lbs bran (either wheat or rice)
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 cup grated carrot
• 4 cups hot water (approximately)

Slowly combine the water and bran in a large bucket. Mix thoroughly and then add molasses and carrot. Then add any other ingredients like flax seed or medications, and allow the mixture to cool before feeding.

A tasty recipe to warm your horse and tickle his taste buds around the holiday time is the Peppermint Bran Mash:

• 1-3 lbs. of wheat bran (approximately)
• ½ cup of molasses
• 2 chopped carrots
• 1 chopped apple
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 4-6 unwrapped starlight peppermints
• 4 cups of hot water (approximately)
• A bucket
• A long spoon to stir

1. In a bucket add dry bran.
2. Slowly add boiling water.
3. Stir until all the bran is moist, you may need to add extra hot water. Cover the bucket with a towel and let the water further absorb for 5 minutes.
4. Add molasses, carrots, apple, salt and peppermints. Stir contents of the bucket.
5. Place any additional supplements or medications in the mixture and thoroughly stir the mash.
6. Be sure to allow the bran to cool before feeding it your horses. It should be warm, but not so hot.http://www.examiner.com/x-30179-Las-Vegas-Equestrian-Examiner~y2009m11d20-Holiday-Peppermint-Bran-Mash-Recipe-For-Your-Equine-Friend