What is Rice Bran?
During the milling process, the outer layer of the rice kernel is removed. This outer layer which is the hard, brown husk is rice bran. Rice bran is one of the most nutritious parts of the rice. And is, in fact, a very healthy choice for horses.
Rice bran contains niacin, iron, thiamin, vitamin B-6, potassium, fiber, phosphorus and magnesium. And with a suffusion of so many minerals, it is no surprise that rice bran is an excellent source of nutrition.
However, it is very important to understand, that raw rice bran, (that which has not gone through the stabilization process) cannot be fed to the horses. This is because unstabilized rice bran leads to digestive problems in horses. Neither is raw rice bran palatable and nor is it easy for the horse to digest. It is only after the stabilization process that rice bran can be consumed as a healthy and nutritious feed for horses.
Stabilized Rice Bran
The reason for rice bran to undergo the stabilization process before it can be consumed, is due to the ingredients it contains and what they can do to the horses. Rice bran has a very high content of oil (among other minerals) and it is due to this that it needs to undergo the stabilization process. Rice bran oil for horses can prove to be harmful because this oil content also has a portion of potent lipase and therefore it might become rancid in a short span of time. And spoiled rice bran adds to the digestive problems for horses. The stabilization process completely breaks down the lipase activity which leads to the spoilage. But during this process, it does not destroy the nutritional value of the bran.
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rice-bran-for-horses.html