BRAN AND SHORTS. 401 



BRAN AND SHORTS. 



Bran is the generic term including "shorts," the latter 

 being the form generally used, as it signifies that part of 

 bran having the most body. Bran is the husk or envelope 

 of the wheat grains; the outer part of this skin is said to be 

 indigestible and acts as a laxative, while the inner part, by 

 converting starchy substances into sugar, aids the process 

 of digestion. The properties of bran are not generally 

 understood, and consequently it is greatly misused. Dry 

 bran has an astringent effect and may be used to counter- 

 act the effects of an overdose of physic, or to soften water 

 that is too hard. Bran costs a little less than one cent per 

 pound. 



" Bran is also most useful where we find water hard or a horse subject 

 to be affected by it, indeed it is always a safe precaution to use it where we 

 are not certain of its nature; a few handfuls stirred in will render hard 

 water safe and innocuous even to delicate horses." Charles Brindley, 

 " Pocket and the Stud" p. 137. 



When bran is given as a laxative, under ordinary condi- 

 tions it should be given cold. When given warm its effi- 

 ciency as an aperient is increased. As a horse that is in a 

 low condition or suffering from any inflammatory trouble 

 requires to have his strength increased and not reduced, 

 mashes should never under such circumstances be given, 

 though it is the general practice among stablemen to give 

 mashes irrespective of the nature of the ailment. 



For covering the mash a thick cloth may be used or a 

 couple of handfuls of dry bran scattered on the surface. 

 Mashes should be given to horses for five or six consecutive 

 feeds before administering physic, as it prevents gripes, and 

 enables a mild dose to operate thoroughly, thus obviating 



