Exploring Non-Heating Mash Options for Maintaining Horse Weight and Behavior
Maintaining a healthy weight in horses while ensuring their behavior remains calm can be a challenging task for many horse owners. Especially with horses that are hard keepers or have high energy demands, finding the right nutritional balance is crucial. This is where non-heating mashes come into play, offering a low-starch, high-fiber solution to nourish your horse without the added excitability associated with grain-based diets.
Why Non-Heating Mashes Matter for Horse Weight and Temperament
Horses derive over 75% of their energy from the fermentation of fiber in the hindgut. This makes fiber-rich mashes ideal for providing a steady release of energy. While traditional grain feeds can cause spikes in blood sugar and resulting excitability, non-heating options like beet pulp and oil-enriched mashes deliver cool calories that support weight gain without overheating your horse.
Benefits of Non-Heating Mashes
For a standard 500kg horse, providing a small 500g or less daily ration of mash can supply important calories without risking overfeeding. Studies show these mashes help maintain healthy body condition scores—5-6 on the Henneke scale—while promoting a calm demeanor (source).
Top Non-Heating Mash Ingredients for Weight Gain
Below are some highly recommended ingredients that promote gut health and offer slow-release energy. Introducing any new feed should be done gradually to avoid digestive issues.
1. Beet Pulp: The Fiber Powerhouse
Beet pulp is praised for its highly digestible fiber content, particularly hemicellulose and pectin, which ferment efficiently in the hindgut. It’s suitable for picky eaters and horses with dental issues when properly soaked.
- Choose unmolassed beet pulp for low-sugar needs, particularly for metabolic horses.
- Soak and rinse beet pulp to further reduce sugars, facilitating a palatable calorie boost without starch spikes (source).
2. Bran Mashes: Palatable and Gut-Supporting
Wheat bran provides up to 10% fiber and phosphorus, excelling in detoxifying the hindgut and encouraging regular bowel movements. Its appealing taste makes it ideal for seniors or those with dental challenges.
3. High-Fat Additions: Cool Calories in Small Doses
Fats from oils or seeds offer dense energy supply without grains. Start with 30-60ml oil daily, gradually increasing to 120ml, using blended oils that include omega-3, -6, and -9 for balanced nutrition (source).
- Flax seed is rich in protein and fat while being low in hydrolysable carbs, making it versatile for mashes.
- Rice bran or soybean oil supports topline, enhances coat shine, and improves stamina.
4. Commercial Mash Options and Hay Alternatives
Commercial mashes such as SPILLERS SPEEDY-MASH Fibre are produced to be low-calorie and high-fiber, ready in under 5 minutes with cold water. Their BETA NOPS certification ensures they’re fit for competition use.
Feeding Tips for Success and Safety
Proper soaking and feeding practices ensure the safety and effectiveness of non-heating mashes:
- Soak correctly using warm, not boiling, water to preserve nutrients.
- Avoid exceeding 2kg of hard feed per meal.
- Supplement with quality hay to meet a daily intake of 1.5-2% of body weight.
Real-World Benefits: Weight, Shine, and Calm
Horse owners report observing improvements in coat condition, topline, and energy levels in hard keepers—especially beneficial in hot climates. Mashes with high-fat content tend to help horses maintain a steady demeanor (source).
By choosing non-heating mashes, you can effectively manage your horse’s weight and behavior. Always tailor the diet to individual needs and consult professionals for optimal results.