How to Make a Wheat Bran Mash
Want to encourage your horse to eat the nasty tasting medication you have to give him? Make a bran mash to disguise the flavor.

A wheat bran mash can serve several purposes. It's comfort food, as fulfilling to prepare as it is for your horse to eat. But it's also an effective way to get your horse to eat and drink what might otherwise elicit an upturned nose such as vegetable oil, mineral oil, medicines, and a good dose of water. Here's how to make a lip-smacking mash for your horse.

Because of its high phosphorus content, don't give your adult horse a bran mash more often than twice a week, and wait until your youngsters are over 3 years of age before giving them one. Excessive phosphorus in the daily diet can cause bone development problems and has been linked with the formation of enteroliths.

Bran Mash:

• 3-lb coffee can of wheat bran
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 1 grated carrot
• 3-4 cups hot tap water

Mix first 3 ingredients in a clean bucket. Add water slowly, stirring constantly, until mash is uniformly damp and "weeps" some of its moisture out in a gravy when you allow it to sit for a moment. Be sure to allow it to cool before feeding.

Variations: Substitute apple sauce for the molasses; substitute a diced or grated apple for the carrot; or add 1 cup of your horse's regular grain (subtract that amount of grain from his regular daily ration, so you're not increasing his total grain intake).

Note: Contrary to popular belief, wheat bran does not have laxative or stool-softening effects in your horse, because horses can digest it. Therefore, feeding bran is not an effective means of removing sand or dry manure impactions.

Adapted from Hands-On Horse Care, the Complete Book of Equine First Aid, from Horse & Rider. In cooperation with the American Association of Equine Practitioners. By Karen E.N. Hayes, DVM, MS; created and edited by Sue M. Copeland; additional editing by Thomas C. Bohanon, DVM, MS. (1997, HORSE & RIDER, Inc.)

Notice to Readers: These articles provide useful instructions and information, but we can't anticipate all your working conditions or the characteristics of your horse, or his injury/illness. For safety, you should use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described here. Consider your own skill level and the instructions and safety precautions provided. Neither the publisher nor the American Association of Equine Practitioners can assume responsibility for any injury to persons or horses as a result of the misuse of the information provided. Consult your veterinarian whenever you have a question about the care of your horse.