Risks and considerations
Best Suite for: All Horses
Health Benefits:
Energy and protein: Wheat bran is a palatable source of energy, similar to oats, and can be useful for horses with high energy needs.
Digestive health: Its high insoluble fiber content can support intestinal health and aid in digestive regularity, though it is not a laxative.
 
Moisture intake: A bran mash made with warm water can help increase a horse's water intake, which is particularly helpful in cold weather or after stress.
 
Medication administration: A bran mash can be used to disguise and encourage a sick horse to eat medicatio
 
Palatability: It is a palatable feed, which can be useful for encouraging finicky eaters to consume their food.
 
Nutrient imbalance: Wheat bran is very high in phosphorus and very low in calcium. If fed too often or in large amounts, this imbalance can lead to serious health issues, such as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (Bighead disease), where the body takes calcium from the bones to compensate.
Digestive upset: Feeding bran to a horse that isn't used to it, even once a week, can disrupt the balance of its gut microbes and lead to digestive upset, says EPOL Equine.
Provide additional calcium through other feedstuffs, such as alfalfa grass, beet pulp, or super-cal limestone.