Rice bran has in recent years become a popular ingredient in horse feed , especially for horses that need take on , build muscle or have extra energy .
But What kind of raw material is it actually – and how does it work in the horse's body?
❓ What is rice bran?
Rice bran is it The outer husk and germ of the rice grain that remains after polishing to white rice.
It is a energy-rich raw material with a relatively high fat content (approx. 15–20%) , moderate protein (about 13–15%) and one high phosphorus content .
To avoid rancidity, rice bran is typically stabilized by heat treatment , which extends the shelf life and preserves the content of the active plant substances.
🔸 Key components of rice bran
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Stabilized rice bran | Energy-rich source of both fast and slow energy. Contains natural gamma oryzanol. |
| Gamma oryzanol | A mixture of plant sterols and triterpene alcohols. Popularly called “nature’s own steroid” and believed to support muscle building. |
| Calcium | Added to balance the calcium/phosphorus ratio, as rice bran is rich in phosphorus and low in calcium. |
🐎 Benefits of rice bran in the feeding plan
✅ Muscle building
Rice bran contains gamma oryzanol , which in some trials has shown positive effect on muscle development – especially in horses in training. However, the documentation is primarily from humans and laboratory experiments.
✅ Energy supply
The high fat percentage provides many calories without large amounts of sugar , which makes rice bran interesting for horses that need extra energy without getting “hot” .
✅ Weight and size
Rice bran is often used for weight gain in horses that have difficulty maintaining weight, e.g. older horses or competition horses .
⚠️ Challenges: Absorption and nutritional balance
Although rice bran has many potential benefits, there are Two important things that you as a horse owner should know:
-
Phosphorus content and Ca:P ratio
Rice bran has a very high phosphorus content (typically 1–1.8%) and low calcium content .
If you feed larger quantities without balance with calcium (e.g. via calcium supplementation or alfalfa), it can give imbalance in the Ca:P ratio , which can affect bone metabolism and mineral absorption negative.
👉 Products with rice bran therefore often add calcium in various forms to ensure a correct ratio, but there are also products without calcium. -
Gamma oryzanol – absorption in horses
Gamma oryzanol is fat and sterol-based . Several studies (e.g. Källquist et al. 2007) suggest that Absorption in horses is low and highly variable , and a large portion passes unchanged through the intestine.
There is not documented that gamma oryzanol provides measurable muscle growth in horses , although the substance may have antioxidative properties. The effect depends on digestion, dosage and training – not just feeding .
📌 Fact box: Rice bran in brief
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Energy-rich, fatty by-product from rice
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Contains gamma oryzanol – only partially absorbed by horses
-
Must always be balanced with calcium due to high phosphorus content
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Can be used for weight gain and as an energy supplement
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Documentation of muscle effects in horses is limited
👉 What can you use instead?
If you want to support muscle building , energy or weight gain on a In a well-documented and balanced way , there are good alternatives to rice bran. Here are some of the most effective raw materials:
🌱 Soybean meal – protein powerhouse with muscles on the menu
Soybean meal is one of the most protein-dense and amino acid-rich feed ingredients for horses.
It is especially rich in lysine and threonine , which are essential for muscle building and tissue maintenance .
Where gamma oryzanol has uncertain absorption , is The amino acids from soy meal are well documented and easily absorbed .
👉 Suitable for: horses in training, young horses, older horses with muscle loss and frugal types where you want to build muscle without adding large amounts of extra energy.
🌿 Lucerne – protein and calcium in natural balance
Lucerne contributes with both digestible fibers , protein and calcium .
It helps to balance the calcium/phosphorus ratio of the feed plan and supports digestion .
Lucerne works particularly well in combination with soybean meal .
👉 Suitable for: most horses – as a basis to cover protein needs and strengthen digestion.
🥣 RC +Energy Fiber Mash – energy from fibers and flaxseed
+Energy Fiber Mash gives both fast and slow energy from fermentable fiber and flaxseed .
Flaxseed supplies healthy fatty acids and supports fur, skin and digestion .
The composition of the mash makes it ideal for horses that need more energy or weight , while The intestinal environment is strengthened .
👉 Suitable for: horses with increased energy or weight requirements and horses with sensitive stomachs.
🌻 Rapeseed oil – concentrated energy in a simple way
Rapeseed oil is a stable and well-documented energy source , which can be given in small quantities to significantly increase energy intake .
The oil does not affect the mineral balance and is easy to mix into the feed.
It is a economic solution for boats training horses and frugal types .
👉 Suitable for: horses in training, horses that need to gain weight, or as support during cold periods.
🌾 Green pills – extra high-quality fibers
Green pills (e.g. timothy or hay pellets) is a Simple and natural fiber supplement with low sugar content .
They can be used to increase energy intake , especially if roughage is scarce or low in energy.
👉 Suitable for: all types of horses, especially for weight gain and stable digestion.
📌 Briefly summarized
| Raw material | Primary function | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean meal | Muscle building | Rich in essential amino acids, well-documented effect |
| Lucerne | Protein + calcium + fiber | Balances Ca:P, supports digestion, flexible use |
| +Energy Fiber Mash | Energy from fiber and flaxseed | Supports the intestinal environment, provides energy, easy to combine |
| Rapeseed oil | Concentrated energy | High energy in small quantities, stable, economical |
| Green pills | Extra fiber and energy | Natural supplement, low sugar, increases chewing time |
👉 Conclusion
Rice bran can be used in certain cases , but it is not necessary to achieve neither muscles, energy or health .
By combine soybean meal, alfalfa, RC +Energy Fiber Mash, rapeseed oil and green pellets can you cover the horse's needs more precisely, balanced and well-documented — without having to deal with challenges with phosphorus imbalance or Uncertain absorption of gamma oryzanol .
📚 Sources (briefly selected)
• NRC (2007): Nutrient Requirements of Horses
• INRA (2012): Feeding of the Horse – European Recommendations
• Jansson & Lindberg (2018): Fiber and protein in horse feeding – balance and health.
• Källquist et al. (2007): Absorption of gamma oryzanol in horses.
• Mad Barn (2022): Soybean meal for horses – amino acid profile and benefits
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