Small Horse Farm: Bran Mash Recipe for Horses Traveling Long Distance

Nov 6, 2012

Bran Mash Recipe for Horses Traveling Long Distance

This recipe was given to me by my vet before I shipped my horse 1,700 miles. You can have the vet come and oil your horse with a tube before the trip to keep things moving or you can make this tasty treat.

4 Cups Wheat Bran*
Add warm water until it's like soupy oatmeal
Let sit for 10 minutes

Add 3/4 to 1 cup mineral or corn oil**

Optional:
Add a couple hand-fulls of one the following for flavor

Senior feed OR
Carrots OR
Molasses (ok probably not hand-fulls, but 1/4 cup) OR
Honey

Add more water if the water has soaked up and it's not soupy anymore.

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*
Beet pulp can replace the wheat bran if that's what you have on hand. It's high in fiber and low in sugars. Reference

**
Mineral oil can't be digested so it will pass through the entire digestive system thereby "greasing" the path all the way. Reference

Vegetable or corn oil can be digested in the small intestine. The oil won't pass through the entire digestive system, but will most likely produce looser stool if the horse is not used to that level of fat. An added benefit is that it will help the horse keep weight on for the journey. Reference

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About This Blog

Welcome

I have a difficult time finding science based information that's easy to understand on small farm keeping and horses. I started this blog to share what I have learned through research and personal experience with others in an easy to read format. I hope the information is helpful to you.

I reference my writing when I found the information elsewhere on the internet so you can see the source and decide for yourself.

Background

I started this blog out a few years ago interested in farming as it pertains to horses, but two years ago we bought a 40 acre mixed use farm in the Pacific Northwest (hence the absence of posts for the last 2 years). My focus has changed from horse-keeping in the Midwest to farming berries, managing Christmas trees, building fence, gardening, farm dog management, free range chickens, old tractors, tractor attachments, diesel trucks, trailers, pasture establishment, pasture management, weed control, trailers AND horses.

Big picture, we're trying to clean up the farm from a few years of neglect and many years of conventional farming. We are slowly transitioning to organic practices so we can be good stewards of our little patch of Earth, produce food that's healthy for people, and sell what we produce at a premium. We'd like ample space for the horses and enough farm land so we can turn a profit on our farming operation but not be overwhelmed. Like most farmers, we have day jobs.

Since my bachelors was in the field of soil science/agriculture I've really been enjoying testing out how the science plays out in real world situations. It's been super interesting to observe how the seasons play out here in Oregon vs. how they played out in Minnesota and watch how it impacts the growing season, soil moisture and fertility and, especially important to me, grass establishment and growth. It's been fun to talk to the local farmers and see what kind of management practices they're using and compare it to the university publications.