Ridecamp: Re: [RC] rice bran

>I was wondering what the latest thoughts were on rice >bran as far as
helping to add weight to horses.  I >checked the archives but the most
recent threads that >came up were from 1999.  My six year old mare is on a
>10% protein and 14% fat feed.  The stable owners have >also been giving her
1 cup of rice bran.  Now its time for >me to decide whether to continue the
rice bran or not.  >Any suggestions?

It's unlikely a cup of rice bran is going to cause any major upsets with the
calcium-phosphorus ratios by itself, but it depends on what the rest of the
ration consists of.  For example, if the 10% protein/14% fat feed is a
balanced feed, then you don't have to worry about ca-p issues there.  You
can figure this out by looking at the guarenteed analysis on the feed
tag---the calcium content will be higher than the phosphorus content.  If
the mix is a "commodity"---ie, rolled oats, cracked corn, that sort of
thing, then it may or may not be ca-p balanced.  Again, look at the feed
tag.

Calcium and phosphorus also depends heavily on the forage being provided.
If there's virtually any alfalfa or clover in the ration at all, then
calcium/phosphorus isn't going to be an issue.  If the forage consists
entirely of grass or cereal grain hays, then ca-p *might* be an issue.  If
you use published feed nutrient tables, those will tell you that some hays
are more or less likely to have inverted ca-p ratios---however, in reality,
almost any hay can analyze with markedly different mineral levels than those
expected from published sources.  In that case, you'll only know the true
nutrient levels by getting an analysis done---usually $20-30, pretty cheap.

So if your horse is getting any alfalfa, don't worry about a calcium
problem.  If he's getting grass or grain hay, your options are to either a)
get the hay analyzed and do the math to work out the exact ratios in his
diet; b) add a loose salt source that also provides an extra calcium source
such as calcium carbonate (ground limestone); or c) add a small amount (a po
und or two) of alfalfa to his diet.

Hope this helps. :-)

Susan G



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=