What Is Low Starch Horse Feed?

Low starch = 5% The high fibre, low sugar, low energy, molasses free feed. Ideal for fussy feeders or any horse or pony at rest or in light work.

What is considered low starch horse feed?

Low Starch Feeds
SafeChoice® Special Care is considered a low-starch feed with a maximum starch level of 13%. To truly provide a low starch and sugar diet, it is important to take into consideration the starch and sugar levels of the forage in the diet.

Why is low starch good for horses?

It is well documented that horses are ineffective at utilising starch if fed in excess and recent studies have concluded that horses should be fed a low starch diet, as higher amounts can lead to the development of gastric ulcers, insulin resistance, laminitis and muscle myopathies (such as tying up).

What is low starch?

This diet is a diet low in sugary and starchy foods. The diet consists of “real” food like meat, fish, cheese, eggs, salads and vegetables, and you will limit the amount of fruit, bread, pasta, dairy, potatoes, rice and beans .

Are alfalfa pellets low starch?

Alfalfa Has Low Starch and Sugar Content
Due to it’s low starch and sugar content alfalfa is ideal for laminitis prone horses or ponies and those with muscle problems.

How do I know if my horse is low starch?

Another number that is often mentioned as an indicator of starch and sugar is nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC). Finding the NSC value of the feed may require a call to the feed manufacturer. Approximate indicators of starch levels may be as follows: high, NSC >35%; relatively low, NSC =35-20%; and low, NSC <20%.

Is grass high in starch for horses?

Oats, barley, wheat and maize are the cereal grains most commonly used in horse feeds and contain high levels of starch. Grasses and alfalfa would typically supply 2-3% starch, compared to cereal grains like oats that supply in excess of 50% starch.

Are oats low starch for horses?

Even though oats are the grain lowest in sugar and starch, at around 45 to 50% starch they are still far too high in starch for horses on a low sugar and starch diet, eg insulin resistant horses, horses prone to laminitis, those with disorders like Cushings or PSSM etc, as well as many horses who are prone to ulcers,

What is the healthiest food for horses?

Their natural diet is mainly grass, which has high roughage content. Horses should be provided with a predominantly fibre-based diet, either grass, hay, haylage or a hay replacement in order to mimic their natural feeding pattern as closely as possible.

What feed is best for laminitic horses?

For a laminitic prone horse/pony, low sugar roughage sources may include Teff hay, Rhodes grass hay, lucerne hay, beet pulp or soaked grass hay.

What foods are low starch?

To get the maximum benefit, add wholesome, non-starchy foods to your meals:

• Non-starchy fruits (such as berries and grapefruit)
• Non-starchy vegetables (such as spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and peppers)
• Fish.
• Tofu.
• Dairy products.
• Eggs.
• Lean meat.

What grains are low in starch?

Which Grains Are Low in Carbs? 9 Good Choices

• Oats. Oats are highly nutritious and a great source of many important nutrients, including fiber.
• Quinoa. Although technically classified as a pseudocereal, quinoa is often prepared and enjoyed as a grain ( 5 ).
• Bulgur.
• Millet.
• Couscous.
• Wild rice.
• Spelt.
• Popcorn.

What does starch do for horses?

Hard feed contains additional starch, which helps provide the horse with extra energy for work or weight gain, among other things. The more cereals a feed contains, the higher the starch level. Starch can be replaced by other fuel sources, such as oil, but only up to a point.

Can Laminitic horses eat alfalfa?

The horse should be fed low-NSC hay at the rate of 1.5 to 2% of body weight. Alfalfa hay (lucerne) can be part of the diet during the acute stages. Chaff, beet pulp, and soy hulls can provide part of the fiber intake.

Can too much alfalfa cause laminitis?

Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed. If switching from grass hay to alfalfa, generally less alfalfa is required to provide the same nutrients present in the grass hay.

Can a laminitic horse have alfalfa pellets?

Feeds with a combined sugar and starch content of less than 10% should be fed to horses with laminitis. If horses are underweight and need to gain condition, consider adding alfalfa-based forages as they contain more calories per pound, but are low in sugars and starches.

Does soaking hay reduce starch?

Soaking hay for 12 hours in cold water may only reduce the combined starch and sugar content by 1-5%, this can be increased by up to 10% when warm water is used. So in reality on yards, soaking hay may have very little effect on the sugar content.

Is Timothy hay low starch?

Timothy grass hay is a good choice for insulin-resistant horses because it tends to be lower in starch. Orchardgrass and Alfalfa are also great selections when you need to monitor the amount of starch your horse consumes.

How does starch cause laminitis?

The cause of laminitis due to high levels of starch in the diet is contributed to ruminal acidosis (a drop of pH in the rumen) which effects the bacteria which multiply in the rumen.

Does hay contain starch?

Hay #1: Starch, 2 percent; WSC, 12 percent; ESC, 8 percent. Total WSC plus starch is 14 percent, higher than ideal for any at-risk horse. WSC minus ESC equals 4 percent fructans.

What foods should not be fed to horses?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

• Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn clippings.
• Pitted fruits.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and other nightshades.
• Yogurt or other milk products.