88: Tips for Easier Mash Prep

With winter just around the corner, I decided to offer some tips today, for preparing mash in the colder months.Stay tuned for practical tips to make soaking and preparing mash far easier- not only in winter, but throughout the year.Keep Mash Prep SimpleKeep mash prep simple by using single, whole ingredients rather than mixed commercial feeds full of synthetics and fillers. This approach supports recovery and makes year-round feeding easier.Soaking Cubes and Beet PulpAlways soak cubes or alfalfa to prevent choking and improve digestibility. Use warm water to soften them, and soak overnight when possible. It is also essential to expand the beet pulp and pellets by allowing them to soak overnight. Preventing Mold and SpoilageBeet pulp molds easily in warm barns, so never leave it for more than a day. Store soaked mash in a cool, dry spot to keep it fresh.Adding Dry Ingredients at Feeding TimeKeep dry ingredients separate until feeding. Mix the soaked portion first, then add dry ingredients right before serving to maintain freshness and nutrient quality.Preparing in AdvanceFor convenience, prepare ziplock bags with a month’s worth of pre-measured dry mixes. Label each bag and then add it to the soaked mash when ready to feed.Handling Oils and Apple Cider VinegarAdd oil and apple cider vinegar at feeding time, and not in advance. Oils can go rancid if left open or exposed to heat, and vinegar is most effective when added just before feeding. It supports digestion and metabolic function and can even be offered in water if horses like the taste.When Soaking Isn’t PracticalIf soaking is impractical, use dry ingredients like alfalfa pellets or bran and moisten them slightly before feeding to make the meal more palatable.Simplifying for Helpers or TravelIf you need to go away and have someone else feeding your horse, you can simplify things by providing pre-packed dry mixes. Short breaks or simplified routines will not undo your horse’s progress, and you can resume full feeding once you return.Consistency Over PerfectionIf you can only prepare mash three times a week, it is still worthwhile. Consistency matters more than perfection, and horses benefit even from partial improvement. Do you know what exactly is in your horse's supplements, and what they're actually doing for their health? Keeping your horse's diet and supplement program clean is one of the most beneficial things you can do for them. There is nothing that turns a horse's health around faster than cleaning up their diet and supporting their health from the inside out. The good news is I'm going live on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10 am Mountain Standard Time, and I invite you to join me for my first-ever two-hour workshop called Detox Done Right: How To Reduce Your Horse's Toxic Load and Upgrade Their Health.For just $127 Canadian, you will get my hands on my label-reading playbook and my clean feed roadmap- and we will finish with a 30-minute Q&A to help turn your supplement confusion into clarity.If you care about your horse's health and want real, practical steps that lead to results, then this workshop is just for you! Save your seat by clicking on the link in the show notes, or head over to my website. No need to worry if you register and miss it because I will have a recording waiting for you, whenever you are ready- but I do hope to see you all there, live!Links and resources:Healing Horses with Elisha: Links and resources Learn more about Healing Horses Their Way 2026Pay-in-full or 3-month payment planAnd for extra flexibility we also have a 6-month payment plan​Either way, you’re stepping into an experience that your horse will be grateful for.