Why traditional bran mashes are falling out of favor in horses

Traditional wheat bran mashes still have a place in horse culture, but current equine nutrition guidance says they can create more problems than they solve. In a new commentary for The Horse, equine nutritionist Clair Thunes, PhD, argues that the classic once-a-week bran mash introduces an abrupt diet change that can trigger gastrointestinal upset, while wheat bran’s inverted calcium-to-phosphorus ratio adds another nutritional concern. She notes that bran’s long-held reputation as a laxative doesn’t hold up, and suggests using a horse’s regular pelleted or textured feed, or soaked hay pellets, to make a warm mash instead. (thehorse.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the piece is a useful reminder that “traditional” feeding practices may conflict with modern recommendations for gut stability and balanced mineral intake. Merck Veterinary Manual guidance similarly states that wheat bran is not laxative, that periodic bran mashes should be avoided, and that any bran added to the ration should be balanced with adequate calcium. That gives clinicians and nutrition-minded practices a clear, evidence-aligned message when counseling horse-owning clients and other pet parents about colic risk, ration consistency, and safer hydration or recovery mashes. (merckvetmanual.com)

What to watch: Expect continued education from equine nutritionists and feed companies around mash alternatives that support hydration and palatability without the mineral imbalance or sudden-feed-change concerns tied to traditional bran mashes. (thehorse.com)