A mash is a complementary compound feed for horses, fed wet. A traditional mash was made from linseed, wheat bran, oats and, of course, water. Preparing it took several steps: boiling the linseed and pouring it over unrolled oat grain, covering it with wheat bran, and leaving it covered for about 2 hours. As you can see, it is a time-consuming process, which is why the market now offers more and more quick-to-prepare, nutritionally balanced mixes sold as mash.
Whatever the manufacturer claims, it is always worth looking at the composition of a ready-made mash. A high share of mucilaginous ingredients such as linseed and linseed cake is essential, so check their percentage before you buy. If the manufacturer has not given that information, see where they sit on the ingredient list. The further down they are, the smaller their share in the product. Mucilaginous ingredients contain plant mucilage which, by coating the lining of the digestive tract, helps prevent ulcers and soothes irritation and inflammation. Linseed is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which benefit the condition of the skin, coat and hooves. Wheat bran is another common mash ingredient, but its drawback is a high phosphorus content relative to calcium, which can affect the horse’s bone structure. To keep the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio right, the mix should contain less wheat bran and more ingredients rich in fibre and calcium, namely sugar beet pulp and lucerne. In mash recipes you will also come across fruit pomace: apple, currant or chokeberry, which are a source of fibre and also improve palatability 😋. The remaining ingredients depend on the individual horse. A herbal mash suits a horse with digestive or respiratory problems, a fruit mash suits a picky eater, and a mash with electrolytes suits a horse in hard work.
Mash can be used for all horses, but it is particularly recommended for horses with digestive disorders, because it supports a healthy gut microflora and, used preventively, helps prevent colic. It is also easy to chew and stimulates the appetite, so it can be very helpful when feeding horses that are recovering, and older horses that have trouble with their teeth and with holding their weight. Thanks to its palatability and aroma, it works not only as a feed for picky eaters, but also makes it easier to hide supplements or medicines that horses are often reluctant to eat.
The safest way to feed mash is 2-3 times a week as an extra meal, and it is important to keep this regular. If you feed it every day, remember to reduce the amount, because it is an additional portion of energy and declared nutrients in your horse’s diet. If you have an excitable unicorn, you can give mash instead of one of the meals, so you do not add too much energy. Before preparing the product, always read the manufacturer’s instructions on the pack for the amount of water and the soaking time. You can adjust the consistency to the horse’s liking by adding water, and to add variety you can put fruit or vegetables into the finished meal. Mash should be fed straight after it is prepared, because soaked feeds ferment quickly, especially in hot weather. In winter it is best served warm, to help the horse keep warm. In summer, on the other hand, it is worth serving it cold, once it has cooled, as a soup, so that it naturally cools your horse and also replaces fluids.
I hope this post helps you choose a mash for your horse. If you are unsure, we encourage you to ask a nutritionist for advice!