Mash

When should mash be fed to horses?

Mash is a type of horse feed prepared by mixing it with warm to hot water, with a wide range of uses in equine nutrition. The warm mash contains many mucilage-rich ingredients that are important for the horse's digestion and gastrointestinal health. Mash can help support the intestinal flora and is therefore a useful feed for horses suffering from free faecal water or diarrhoea.
Since many, if not virtually all, horses love mash and enjoy eating it, it's especially suitable for mixing in medication or feeding picky eaters. Simply mix a vitamin and mineral supplement, powder or medication into the warm mash so the horse can't avoid the less desirable components. The smell and taste of the mash also masks any unpleasant odours.
For horses with dental problems, mash has proven to be a valuable nutritional feed source to replace the energy lost from reduced concentrated feed intake. Well-softened mash requires little chewing and therefore benefits horses with dental problems.
Mash is particularly popular during the coat change and can support this process thanks to its high levels of omega fatty acids, proteins and minerals.
Last but not least, feeding mash supports the horse's fluid intake since it is mixed with water. Especially in winter, when horses drink less due to the cold, supplementing their diet with mash has many advantages.
All in all, mash can be used as a restorative feed after training or competitions, or as a nutritional feed after an illness, surgery or during coat change.
Choose from a wide range of mash varieties to find the right one for your horse, based on its needs and preferences. In our online shop, you'll find strong>grain-free mash varieties, fibre-rich and textured mash with grains and fruit pieces, or mash in a smooth porridge consistency. At Kramer Equestrian, you can purchase mash for winter, hot summers or for recovery after training.

Why should mash not be fed to horses on a daily basis?

Mash contains a lot of mucilage, which comes from the linseed, wheat bran and oat bran it contains. These components in turn contain high levels of calcium and phosphorus, and not in the 3:1 ratio that is suitable for horses. Both of these trace elements are primarily stored in the bones, and an unfavourable ratio can lead to bone demineralisation and interference with other nutrients. To avoid this, mash should be fed no more than 2-3 times a week.
The same does not apply to hay cobs: these consist of pressed hay fibres that are infused with warm water. As a supplement or hay substitute, hay cobs can even be fed several times a day.

How should mash for horses be mixed correctly?

Don't use boiling water to mix the mash, as high temperatures destroy ingredients like heat-sensitive vitamins. Warm water from the tap is perfectly fine for mixing, or simply let boiled water cool down briefly.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparation; as a rule, a 1:1 ratio of water to mash is sufficient. However, depending on the mash, more water may be needed, which also depends on the horse's preference. Mash should not be fed in a liquid form like soup, as horses tend to be reluctant to eat it, and it passes through the intestines too quickly for it to have a beneficial effect on digestion. Remember: mash should have a porridge-like consistency.
Whether you can mix the mash with cold water depends on the individual manufacturer. Always follow the preparation instructions provided. Bear in mind that cold water will increase the soaking time, as mash contains components that swell. For this reason, mash should never be fed dry. Otherwise, the components will start to swell in the stomach and intestines, disrupting digestion and nullifying the positive effects of the mash. The mash available from Kramer Equestrian should be mixed with hot water.
How long mash needs to soak depends on the ingredients. As with hay cobs, the ingredients should be completely expanded before feeding. There are grain-based mashes whose grains do not need to expand much and can be fed after soaking for 5 minutes. However, there are also mash varieties, such as those from Original Landmühle, which need to soak for up to 15 minutes or longer. Always follow the manufacturer's preparation instructions, stir the mash several times during this process and only feed it to your horse once it has cooled down.

Which mash for horses is grain-free?

We have a wide selection of mash for horses available to purchase at Kramer Equestrian. The horse feed brand Original Landmühle offers various types of mash for summer and winter, for after training or to enhance a diet plan. They're available in 2.5kg buckets. Of course, Original Landmühle also has grain-free mash in its range to meet the needs of overweight or sensitive horses. Use the 'Grain-free' filter to view the range of grain-free mash varieties.

Which mash is suitable for older horses?

Older horses often struggle with dental problems, so many senior horses are fed soaked hay cobs. As older horses are often unable to chew concentrated feed without pain and difficulty, this can be replaced with mash. Feeding mash to senior horses is particularly suitable for increasing their energy intake.
Similarly, digestion and metabolism slow down with age, which is why mash also benefits the intestinal health of senior horses. It's best to choose a grain-free mash for older horses so that your senior horse can digest it more easily, and their metabolism isn't unnecessarily burdened by too much starch. If you add digestion-promoting herbs, you'll be doubling the benefits for your senior horse.
If you'd like more details and feeding tips for your senior horse, read our guide "Senior horses & proper feeding - gaining and maintaining weight".