Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Linda,
It's best to slowly build up to a full dose, like you suggested. This will ensure that the bacteria in her hind gut have a chance to adjust to the new diet.
About the rice bran -- if you use a 1/2 cup measuring cup, that weighs 2 ounces (1/8 of a pound). I would suggest starting with this amount twice each day (that's equivalent to 1/4 pound per day). Then you can build up to 1 cup twice a day (which would be 1/2 pound per day).
The "one pound per day" is really too much, in my opinion.
I assume you are using a stabilized product that has added calcium such as Natural Glo? This is important, since plain rice bran is very high in phosphorus and would therefore, need to be balanced out with a high calcium feed.
Keep me posted!
All the best,
Dr. Getty
