What does ESC stand for horse feed?

% ESC (ethanol soluble carbohydrates) – represents carbohydrates digested in the small intestine thus are the carbohydrates that produce a true glycemic (blood sugar) response. % WSC (water soluble carbohydrates) – simple sugars, oligosaccharides (several sugar molecules hooked together) and fructans.

What does NSC stand for in horse feed?

non-structural carbohydrates
Significant advancements have been made in our understanding of the role of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC; starch + sugar) in the diet, which benefits horses with a number of issues including insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome, hyperactivity, obesity, ulcers and developmental orthopedic disorders.

What is the NSC of sweet feed?

NSC stands for ‘non-structural carbohydrates’ and is typically the combination of starch and sugar. Horses with metabolic concerns, such as Cushing’s disease, laminitis or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) require reduced levels of NSC to support their activity levels.

What is the lowest NSC horse feed?

Feed a low-calorie grass-type hay Feed a low calorie, low NSC grass hay (<10-12% NSC). Alternatively, soak grass hay for 30-60 minutes to reduce NSC content.

Which horse feed has the lowest NSC?

Feed ingredients such as beet pulp and alfalfa meal are lower in NSC, while grain ingredients such as corn, oats, and barley are higher in NSC.

What feed is best for horse?

Roughage/Forage Roughage, found in hay or grass, is the bulk of the horse’s food. Grass or alfalfa hay, or a combination of the two, are good sources of roughage. Grass hay is generally higher in fiber and dry matter than alfalfa, but alfalfa may be higher in protein, energy, vitamins and calcium.

What do you feed a Laminitic prone horse?

Hay is likely to form the bulk of the diet for an EMS/PPID/laminitic horse. Late cut, native species grass hay is likely to have lower sugar levels than early cut improved species (e.g. ryegrass) grass hay. High fibre haylage may also be suitable.

What feed causes laminitis in horses?

Laminitis can be caused by an over consumption of high starch and sugar grains, either in one meal or by feeding large grain meals.

Can sweet feed cause laminitis?

Sugars in feeds cause a horses blood insulin to rise after eating and this is what researchers now believe triggers most cases of laminitis and certainly most cases of grass or pasture laminitis.

What do you feed a fussy horse?

Offering small but frequent meals of alfalfa can help to soothe an acidic digestive system. Feed a balancer; this will ensure intake of quality protein, vitamins & minerals and keeps meal sizes smaller. Add molasses to sweeten a feed, or spices such as cinnamon, which aid in palatability.

What does oats do to horses?

Oats are a very good source of quick-release energy (predominantly in the form of starch, but also some sugar) for horses in work. Oats are a good source of the mineral phosphorus, and also provide protein (about 13%) and fibre, plus B vitamins.

Is alfalfa and lucerne the same thing?

Alfalfa (/ælˈfælfə/) (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.

Can you feed too much lucerne?

Therefore, adding the Lucerne will increase potassium levels – they will skyrocket and this can cause an imbalance in the nutrition. As a result, your horse may become restricted from performing everyday regular activities. An additional problem with Lucerne is the great level of phytoestrogen content.

What feed makes horses hot?

Feed ingredients such as oats, corn, barley, alfalfa and molasses have been identified by horse owners as causing “hyper”, “fizzy” or “hot” horses. Grains contain starch and sugar that may result in large fluctuations in blood sugar and result in mood or behavior changes.