[Circle C]

What's your opinion on Rice Bran Oil? I have heard that it will put weight on a horse in a short amout of time. Any truth to that?

I bought some to try, but it's not cheap!

[JBandRio]

All oil is 100% fat - corn, rice bran, olive, wheat germ, olive, etc. And at 2,000 calories/cup, it can and will indeed put weight on. Oil is a slower burning source of calories, takes longer to fully digest, doesn't digest "hot", therefore physically doesn't heat up the horse as much as grains do, and mentally doesn't heat them up as much as grains (carbs/starches) do. If you are using oil as weight gain, about 2c/1,000lb is a good place to work up to and see where you get.

Regular "vegetable" oil is the cheapest - it's really soybean oil - LOTS cheaper than rice bran oil

Some oils contain a better supply of fatty acids than others.

[Circle C]

I was feeding her veg oil.....do you think buying rice bran oil is a waste of $$? Should I just go back to the veggie oil? If they do the same thing, why should I buy the rice bran instead of the veggie oil?

Do tell What's the diff between the two?

[momof5]

From what I am understanding from JBandRio is that they all do the same job just the others are more expensive.Correct me if I am wrong cause i was wondering the same thing myself trying to keep weight on my old gelding.

[JBandRio]

Some oiles have higher amounts of fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) than others, that's the biggest difference. Coconut oil is a pretty darn good on the omegas, but tends to be $$. Cocosoya oil (by www.uckele.com) is a REALLY nice oil, and has the added benefit of having Vit E added (which you should supplement with if you feed oil) but shipping to me makes it pretty cost prohibitive.

Veggie oil is perfectly fine, especially if you already feed BOSS and/or flax - they take care of the Omegas

[Sue B]

There is a difference, but if you are simply looking for weight gain....like JB said, it is all 2000 calories/cup and it is an increase in calories that promotes weight gain.

The difference between reg. veggie oil and rice bran oil is mostly that it has a higher nutrient profile (2-4 times most other oils). The other benefit is the supposed effects of gamma orysanol (sp?) that is reported (and disputed) to help with muscle development. In Asian countries where use of RBO is common, their studies indicate that it is most beneficial for ulcer patients and has little to no effect on muscles. The other reported benefits of RBO are targeted at humans....helps lower cholesterol (not generally a factor in horses). RBO is also high in tochopherals and vitamin E and therefore has good antioxident properties.

[JBandRio]

Thanks Sue, I can NEVER remember which oils have the higher qualities!

[Sue B]

Oh ya...also forgot to add that RBO has a higher smoke point. So if horsie has friends over to dinner, cooking will be easier!

[momof5]

LOL Sue B thats funny.You guys are so smart thanks for all the great info im sure everone can use that kind of info.I sure was wondering the same thing as Circle C.

[Dawn]

For weight gain, I would go with what is cheapest. Around here, that's corn oil in the small bottle (1 quart 1 pint) from Food City store brand. Works out at 3 cents an ounce. Figuring that the average horse for weight gain will be getting 8 ounces a day, that's less than a quarter a day. Much cheaper per calorie than any other feed stuff you'll ever find.

For most horses, 8 ounces (1 cup) per day is plenty. I would be very hesitant to go all the way to 16 ounces. I'd probably max out at 12 ounces unless under veterinarian advise.