Wheatbran

by Donna Keegan BVSc (hons)
HEVC

Many horsemen feed wheatbran mash after hard work and/or before the day off. The benefits claimed for feeding brand mash include improved feed intake after work, rehydration, calming and a long list of others depending on who your talk to. Any scientific studies I have read have found little evidence to back this up except concluding that it may increase water intake in cold environments. As far as detrimental effects the main one to be aware of is that wheatbran provides an imbalanced calcium to phosphorous ratio. If fed in large amounts this imbalance could lead to calcium resorption from bones and result in weaker bones more prone to fractures. However, if wheatbran or wheatbran mash are fed infrequently. eg. once a week, as part of an otherwise well balanced diet it is unlikely to cause problems.