Mashes - Not only are they a nice, warm treat, but mashes are also a great way to keep your horse hydrated and prevent problems like colic which is more prevalent in winter.
Are you feeding mash to your pony? Mash Saturday's or Mash Brunch Sunday's?
Our pony get's Crypto Aero Restore Mash & Mix Horse Feed. I checked out a lot of mash brands and ingredients and liked this one best...Plus I can order it from Chewy.com (bonus).
Ingredients
Chopped Hay, Hay Pellets, Rolled Oats, Rolled Barley, Rice Bran Oil, Apple Fiber, Banana Chips, Coconut Flakes, Carrots, Grey Sea Salt, Anise, Fenugreek, Garlic
I rounded up a few good recipes, should you want to give the home-made route a try...These looked best:
Bran-Free Mash Recipes for Horses
You can make a mash out of soaked hay cubes or pellets. Anything with alfalfa, horses tend to find very palatable. Another option for a mash base is beet pulp. You can find it with added molasses or go with the molasses-free version for horses with metabolic issues. Try Tractorsupply.com for these ingredients.
Add Treats
Once you have your base for your mash, add treats such as diced apples, peppermint tea, shredded carrots, flaxseed, or other safe and healthy treats for horses. Just make sure that all added treats are cut into small pieces or shredded so as not to pose a choking hazard. You can also add a tablespoon of salt to encourage your horse to keep drinking.
Add enough hot water to turn the oats, beet pulp, or hay cubes/pellets into a soft mash. Keep in mind that hay pellets or cubes will need to soak for a while to soften up. It’s a good idea to feel them to make sure they have reached a soft consistency before feeding...Try 15 - 20 min. of soaking in hot water. Also a 2-to-1 ratio for the hot water. 2 cups hot water for every 1 cup of dry mash.
Jackson enjoying his mash...He makes it look and sound so good!
Are you feeding mash? What's your favorite brand or recipe? Post a video of your pony enjoying some!