Equine Feeding Instructions for Rice Bran

Rice bran is a supplement that can be fed to horses in order to encourage weight gain and a healthy coat. As a concentrated source of fat and calories, rice bran also provides additional energy for horses performing at a high level. Not all horses should eat rice bran. Rice bran must be moistened before feeding and should be added gradually to a horse's diet.

  1. Determine Whether Your Horse Needs Rice Bran

    • Rice bran is a supplement--not part of a horse's typical diet. As a supplement, rice bran should be fed only to horses that need extra fat and calories. A horse eating rice bran needs adequate opportunity to exercise, as it may increase his energy level.

      If your horse needs to gain weight, rice bran may help. Rice bran can also encourage the growth of a healthy coat. However, any source of fat will improve coat health and appearance, so consider alternatives like canola oil or coat supplements. Performance horses that need to exercise strenuously on a regular basis may be fed rice bran as a highly digestible source of energy.

      If your horse is healthy and at an ideal weight, he probably does not need rice bran. Supplements should be fed to correct a problem. If your horse's current diet seems to be producing the desired results, don't tamper unnecessarily with it.

    Feed Moistened Rice Bran

    • Rice bran is fine and powdery in texture. For that reason, it must be moistened to ensure that your horse is able to eat it easily. Feeding moistened rice bran also helps horses stay hydrated.

      Moisten rice bran with water to make a runny paste. Most horses will lick this substance out of a bucket. Better yet, mix rice bran and water with your horse's normal grain ration. You can also feed rice bran with beet pulp and a little additional water. This combination is excellent for weight gain and digestion, or for senior horses that can't eat much hay.

    Add Rice Bran Gradually to Your Horse's Diet

    • Slowly add rice bran it to your horse's diet. Start with only a small handful of rice bran once a day. Over a period of one to two weeks, gradually increase the amount of rice bran fed to a maximum of about 1 lb. per meal.

      Feeding more than 2 lbs. of rice bran daily may cause more problems than it solves or prevents. If your horse fails to gain weight while consuming a large amount of rice bran, a veterinarian should examine her. She may have a dental problem, parasites, gastric ulcers or another health issue preventing her from gaining weight.

    Address Mineral Imbalances

    • Rice bran has significantly more phosphorus than calcium. Horses need phosphorus, but excessive phosphorus consumption can impair the absorption of calcium. To avoid mineral imbalances, choose a brand of rice bran that is enriched with calcium. Many enriched rice bran brands are available in feed stores. If you can't find calcium-enriched rice bran, you will need to add a calcium supplement to your horse's feed.