Rice Bran, Should I?

My BO sent me an e-mail asking if we wanted to put the horses on some rice bran to beef them up for the winter. 2 weeks ago when I saw them, they both were in great shape and a bit on the chunky side (though I really expected that since they've been out of work for so long)
Last year neither of them needed a blanket and were both of good weight going into winter and coming out.
We do have winter blankets for both of them if they didn't grow as nice of a coat or were a bit thin going into winter.. and we can always add the rice bran then too.

I don't plan on working them until, the earliest Spring 2010, but that depends on how I am dealing with having a newborn.

Thoughts?

I am in the school of thought that, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. Especially with a horse's diet where most people (including me) bang their heads against the wall trying to get there horses to a good weight, I'd just be really reluctant to mess with it. Nothing wrong with rice bran. That's just my 2 cents.

I love rice bran, I really do. But it puts in weight very fast. When I bought my mare, she was about 200lbs underweight. I've had her for... hmm.. about 3 or 4 weeks now and she's put on a good 100lbs. AND she's a horse that works every day. So with a horse that isnt working and is already a little chunky, I probably wouldnt. Although as a treat once in a while that's fine, my broodmare gets it every so often as a nice treat. Because we all know SHE doesnt need any extra weight! Sometimes I wonder if she will fit through the stall door!

If your horses aren't underweight, I wouldn't worry about it. Especially if they will be getting lots of good hay and grain through the winter. My thought is that most pasture horses come out of the winter a little light, but can then gain it all back in the spring on good new grass. I personally would rather see them a little light in the winter than pig fat at the end of spring.

That's what I was thinking too. That they are doing well on their diet right now, and since the only energy they exert is to walk from spot to spot, they really don't need extra stuff.

They have access to a roundbale 24/7 when they are in the pasture, and will get hay once they are stalled at night.

Thanks for the replies!