Horse nutrition can be very complex, depending on the needs of each animal. Among all the feeds used in horse breeding, mash remains a somewhat unusual type of feed originating from England, with many advantages. Given to horses for hundreds of years, traditional mash was based on grains (oats, barley, corn...) cooked for several hours in a large amount of water. Over time, mashes have evolved...
What is horse mash?
Horse mash is a mixture usually of several ingredients soaked in hot water (most often in a 1:2 ratio), served directly after cooling... one could say it's a horse's porridge.
Mash is often seen as food for older horses that cannot chew, or as warming food on colder days. Although they are certainly great for both these tasks, there are many other reasons to feed them. Mashes are incredibly versatile feeds that are currently gaining popularity, offering a wide range of nutritional benefits. Mash is popular for its nutritional benefits, which can be tailored to the individual nutritional needs of each horse. For those who want to feed horses mash, there is a wide range of options, from grain-free and high-fiber mixes that can result in lower-calorie feed for horses with less workload, to grain-containing mash supporting horses requiring increased endurance and performance. An alternative option, if your horse is particularly excitable or prone to stomach ulcers, are high-fiber and oil mashes, which can support horses under greater effort without high levels of sugar or starch.
What are the benefits of mash?
Fiber - Mash is usually rich in digestible fiber, which is a useful source of energy for work, condition, and performance. This high fiber content also supports overall digestive health and helps maintain a horse's gut flora in good health.
Hydration - Mash is prepared with a large amount of water, which helps hydrate the horse. In hot weather, water-rich feed can compensate for the horse's water loss during work. Similarly, in winter, a horse may tend to hydrate worse, so mash is a good way to compensate for this water deficit.
Digestion - Mash usually requires little or no chewing, making it extremely useful for older horses that have difficulty chewing, or any horse with poor dental condition. Mash is easy to eat and digest, which is great for promoting good condition and overall digestive health. The higher water content in mash means it can help reduce the risk of colic by keeping the intestinal contents moving and flowing freely, so it is often beneficial for horses prone to digestive problems.
Ingredients for horse mash
There are many recipes for horse mash. Mash can be prepared yourself or bought in stores. If you like, you can prepare your own mash, including grains, bran, oat flakes, linseed, grass pellets, molasses, coarse salt, and add some fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots...).
The advantage of homemade mash is the ability to perfectly match its composition to the current needs of your horse. In our offer, you will find high-protein, low-starch, organic cakes (flax and hemp) with high fiber content and organic cold-pressed oils from flax and hemp seeds. These ingredients are ideal for mashes dedicated to allergic, sports, senior, and skinny horses. Below you will find several recipes for mashes using our organic cakes.
Recipes for horse mash
Basic mash:
100g grass pellets/ alfalfa pellets
150g organic flax cake
80g organic hemp cake
70g fruit pomace
Mash for allergies:
100g grass pellets
100g organic flax cake
100g organic hemp cake
100g apple pomace
30g ground black cumin
Mash for seniors/skinny horses:
150g alfalfa pellets
100g wheat bran
150g organic flax cake
120g organic hemp cake
40g fenugreek
Mash for sport horses:
150g alfalfa pellets
250g organic flax cake
150g organic hemp cake
40g fenugreek
20g spirulina
electrolytes on training days
Mash is served every 2/3 days. In the case of horses prone to gaining weight, mash should be given instead of the base of one of the meals.
Herbs that can be added to mash depending on the requirements of a particular horse
Herbs for the digestive system:
Chamomile - helps remove deposits from the intestines, soothes mucous membranes
Marshmallow - a mucilaginous herb, coats the digestive tract, soothes
Plantain - anti-inflammatory in digestive tract infections
Herbs for the respiratory system:
Marshmallow - expectorant and coating in respiratory tract infections
Black cumin - anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic
Horehound - for lingering secretions, worth brewing 30 minutes earlier in a separate cup
Herbs for immunity:
Echinacea - strongly immunostimulating, give max. 10/14 days. Otherwise, it may have the opposite effect
Sea buckthorn - a real vitamin bomb, worth giving in transitional periods (autumn, spring)
Aronia - a source of antioxidants, vitamins, boosts immunity and regulates blood glucose levels
Herbs after deworming:
Milk thistle - detoxifying, supports liver function
Dandelion - improves digestion, protects the liver
Cistus - cleanses the body of heavy metals
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