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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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rice bran

I like the way rice bran puts on weight and helps produce glossy coats, not to mention it is a good source of vitamin E (antioxidant), but with all the talk about the body not absorbing enough calcium because phosphorus it too high, I am worried about loss of calcium to the bones which will lead to a decrease in bone density. What are some recommendations on how to balance out the calcium to phosphorus ratio in rice bran? (My average horse's in training get approximately 1-1.5lbs per day.) Please correct me if I am wrong about anything!

Where are you from? California

How did you locate this forum? web search

Re: rice bran

Hi Katie,

You are absolutely correct! Bran is high in phosphorus and low in calcium, which can cause an imbalance. However, hays are typically higher in calcium than phosphorus, so it serves to balance out the ration. But, since you are feeding a large amount of rice bran each day, I would recommend that you boost his calcium level by offering some alfalfa –either as hay, or more conveniently as pellets or cubes. Provide twice as much alfalfa as rice bran.
Thanks for the excellent question.

All the best,

Dr. Getty