How to Prevent Colic in Horses With Bran Mash

One of the most frightening experiences for a horse owner is to have your horse colic. Colic in horses can happen for a number of reasons, including moldy hay, low water intake or digesting sand. Taking preventive measures, such as routinely feeding bran mash to your horse, may decrease or eliminate the incidents of colic in your horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Dry wheat bran
  • Large bucket
  • Boiling water
  • Large wooden spoon or similar utensil
  • Burlap sack or large towel
  • Molasses, apples or carrots
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Instructions

  1. Preparing Hot Bran Mash

    • 1

      Put approximately one pound of bran into a clean, large bucket. One pound of bran is enough for one to two horses.

    • 2

      Pour boiling water over the bran. Depending on your horse's preference, you can add more boiling water to make the mash soupy, or less to make it crunchy.

    • 3

      Stir and mix the bran and boiling water with a large wooden spoon or other similar tool. Do this to make sure that there are no pockets of dry bran within the mixture.

    • 4

      Cover the bucket with a burlap feed bag or large towel. Let it stand for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the bran mixture to soften and cool to a comfortable temperature for your horse to eat.

    • 5

      Add molasses, apple slices or cut carrots to the bran mash to make it more appealing to your horse. If you need to medicate your horse, add the medication at this time.

    • 6

      Transfer the bran mash into feed pans, particularly if you are feeding more than one horse. Or, feed it directly from the bucket.

    Using Bran Mash to Avoid Colic

    • 7

      Feed the bran mash mixture no more than once a week. Bran is an irritant to the digestive system of a horse. Too much bran too often may create additional digestive problems.

    • 8

      Give the bran mash mixture to your horse at the evening feeding. It is less irritating and digests easier during the overnight hours because your horse is not as active at this time.

    • 9

      Wash out the bucket or feed pans thoroughly the following morning. Remnants of bran mash in a feed pan or bucket will begin to sour, and harmful bacteria can develop.