Best Forage Choices for Horses with Metabolic Disorders
This article, written by Equine Nutritionists Dr. Tania Cubitt and Dr. Stephen Duren of Performance Horse Nutrition, explains how to select safe, appropriate forage for horses with metabolic disorders such as EMS, insulin resistance, PPID, or laminitis. The full scientific article is provided below exactly as originally authored.
Key Takeaways
- Horses with metabolic disorders need forage low in NSC (ideally under 10–12%).
- Properly tested teff, mature grass hay, mixed grass hay, and bluegrass forage can be excellent options.
- Alfalfa can be used in limited amounts when balanced correctly.
- Hay testing is essential — soaking is only a partial solution.
- Forage choice must be paired with exercise, calorie control, and veterinary oversight.
Written by:
Dr. Tania Cubitt, PhD – Equine Nutritionist
Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD – Equine Nutritionist
Best Forage Choices for Horses with Metabolic Disorders
Dr Tania Cubitt & Dr Stephen Duren – Performance Horse Nutrition
When managing horses with:
- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
- Insulin resistance (IR)
- Cushing’s Disease (PPID)
- A history of laminitis
Forage selection becomes one of the most important nutritional decisions you can make.
Because horses are designed to consume forage continuously throughout the day, simply feeding less hay is usually not the answer. Instead, success comes from selecting forage that provides:
- Appropriate fiber
- Controlled sugar and starch
- Moderate calories
- Consistency
The challenge is that not all hay is created equal.
What Makes a Forage “Metabolic Friendly”?
For horses with metabolic concerns, we generally look for forage that is:
- Lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC)
- Moderate to lower in calories
- Clean and digestible
- Consistent in quality
Many nutritionists target hay with:
-
NSC under 10–12%
for horses with significant insulin dysregulation or laminitis history.
However, the horse’s overall condition, workload, and medical status all matter.
And again:
Hay must be tested — not guessed.
1. Teff Grass Hay
Teff has become one of the most popular hays for metabolic horses because it frequently tests lower in NSC than many cool-season grass hays.
Benefits may include:
- Moderate calories
- Fine stems
- Good palatability
- Potentially lower sugar content
Teff is often a good fit for:
- Easy keepers
- Horses needing weight control
- Horses with insulin resistance
- Laminitis-prone horses
However, teff still needs laboratory analysis because sugar levels can vary significantly.
2. Mature Grass Hay
In some cases, a mature grass hay may work well for metabolic horses because:
- It may contain lower calories
- Fiber levels are often higher
- Horses chew longer and consume more slowly
Examples may include:
- Timothy
- Orchard grass
- Native grass mixes
But again, testing matters because some cool-season grasses can become surprisingly high in NSC depending on growing conditions.
3. Mixed Grass Hay
For horses needing slightly more nutrition without excessive calories, mixed grass hays can sometimes provide a balanced option.
Owners should still evaluate:
- NSC
- Calorie density
- Palatability
- Dust and mold levels
4. Limited Alfalfa Inclusion
Alfalfa is often misunderstood in metabolic horses.
While alfalfa is higher in calories and protein, it is not necessarily high in sugar.
In some cases, controlled inclusion of alfalfa can help:
- Improve protein quality
- Support topline
- Enhance palatability
- Buffer stomach acid
The key is portion control and total diet balance.
5. Bluegrass Forage
Bluegrass forage made after the seed head has been harvested for seed production can also be a useful forage option for certain horses with metabolic concerns — particularly horses that need:
- Weight management
- Moderate calorie intake
- Higher fiber diets
Compared to richer forages, bluegrass forage is often:
- Lower to moderate in calories
- Highly fibrous
- Suitable for easy keepers when properly tested
Because of its softer texture and moderate energy content, some horses do very well on bluegrass hay as part of a controlled feeding program.
For metabolic horses, bluegrass forage may help support:
- Longer chewing time
- Improved satiety
- Calorie control
- Digestive health
However, just like teff or other grass hays:
Bluegrass forage is not automatically “low sugar.”
NSC levels can still vary depending on:
- Growing conditions
- Fertility
- Harvest maturity
- Weather stress
That means forage analysis remains essential.
What About Soaking Hay?
For horses with significant insulin dysregulation or active laminitis risk, soaking hay may help reduce water-soluble carbohydrates.
However:
- Results vary
- Nutrients can also be lost
- Soaking should not replace hay testing
If hay consistently tests too high in NSC, replacing the forage is usually preferable.
Forage Is Only Part of the Plan
Even the best hay cannot fully compensate for:
- Obesity
- Excess pasture intake
- Lack of exercise
- Overfeeding concentrates
Successful metabolic management usually combines:
- Appropriate forage
- Controlled calorie intake
- Regular movement
- Veterinary monitoring
- Proper mineral balance
The Bottom Line
There is no single “perfect” hay for every metabolic horse.
But the best forage programs typically focus on:
- Lower NSC
- Moderate/low calories
- Consistency
- Proper testing
- Individual horse needs
For many horses, Teff grass hay or Blue Grass Forage can be an excellent option. For others, a tested grass hay or carefully balanced forage blend may work as well.
The goal is not to feed the least hay possible.
The goal is to feed the safest, most appropriate forage for the individual horse.
For some horses, especially easy keepers or horses prone to weight gain, properly tested bluegrass Forage can provide a practical middle-ground forage:
- More moderate than alfalfa
- Often less rich than premium cool-season grasses
- Supportive of controlled calorie programs
As always, the best forage choice depends on:
- The horse’s insulin status
- Body condition
- Workload
- Overall diet balance
And in metabolic horses, consistency and testing matter far more than the forage name alone.
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FAQs - by Blue Mountain Hay
What types of metabolic disorders require careful forage selection?
Careful forage selection is especially important for horses with:
- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
- Insulin resistance (IR)
- Cushing’s Disease (PPID)
- A history of laminitis
What makes a forage “metabolic friendly”?
Forage for horses with metabolic concerns should generally be:
- Lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC)
- Moderate to lower in calories
- Clean and digestible
- Consistent in quality
What NSC level should hay have for a metabolic horse?
Many nutritionists target hay with an NSC level under 10–12% for horses with significant insulin dysregulation or a history of laminitis. The appropriate level also depends on the horse’s overall condition, workload, and medical status.
Does hay for a metabolic horse need to be tested?
Yes. Hay must be tested rather than judged by its type or appearance. NSC levels can vary based on growing conditions, fertility, harvest maturity, and weather stress.
Is teff grass hay suitable for metabolic horses?
Properly tested teff grass hay can be an excellent option. It frequently tests lower in NSC than many cool-season grass hays and may provide moderate calories, fine stems, good palatability, and potentially lower sugar content.
Which horses may benefit from teff grass hay?
Teff is often a good fit for:
- Easy keepers
- Horses needing weight control
- Horses with insulin resistance
- Laminitis-prone horses
Teff must still be laboratory tested because its sugar levels can vary significantly.
Can mature grass hay be fed to metabolic horses?
In some cases, mature grass hay may work well because it may contain fewer calories, often has higher fiber levels, and can encourage horses to chew longer and consume their forage more slowly.
Examples include timothy, orchard grass, and native grass mixes. Testing is still essential because some cool-season grasses can be surprisingly high in NSC.
Is mixed grass hay appropriate for metabolic horses?
Mixed grass hay can sometimes provide a balanced option for horses that need slightly more nutrition without excessive calories. Owners should evaluate its NSC level, calorie density, palatability, and dust and mold levels.
Can metabolic horses eat alfalfa?
Alfalfa can be included in limited amounts when the total diet is balanced correctly. Although alfalfa is higher in calories and protein, it is not necessarily high in sugar.
What are the potential benefits of including a controlled amount of alfalfa?
Controlled alfalfa inclusion may help:
- Improve protein quality
- Support topline
- Enhance palatability
- Buffer stomach acid
Portion control and total diet balance are essential.
Is bluegrass forage suitable for metabolic horses?
Properly tested bluegrass forage can be useful for certain horses with metabolic concerns, particularly those needing weight management, moderate calorie intake, or a higher-fiber diet.
What are the potential benefits of bluegrass forage?
Bluegrass forage made after the seed head has been harvested for seed production is often lower to moderate in calories and highly fibrous. It may support:
- Longer chewing time
- Improved satiety
- Calorie control
- Digestive health
Is bluegrass forage automatically low in sugar?
No. Bluegrass forage is not automatically low in sugar. Its NSC level can vary depending on growing conditions, fertility, harvest maturity, and weather stress. Forage analysis remains essential.
Should hay be soaked for a metabolic horse?
For horses with significant insulin dysregulation or an active risk of laminitis, soaking hay may help reduce water-soluble carbohydrates. However, results vary, nutrients can also be lost, and soaking should not replace hay testing.
What should I do if hay consistently tests too high in NSC?
If hay consistently tests too high in NSC, replacing the forage is usually preferable to relying on soaking.
Is choosing the right forage enough to manage a metabolic horse?
No. Even the best hay cannot fully compensate for obesity, excessive pasture intake, lack of exercise, or overfeeding concentrates.
Successful metabolic management usually combines:
- Appropriate forage
- Controlled calorie intake
- Regular movement
- Veterinary monitoring
- Proper mineral balance
Is there one perfect type of hay for every metabolic horse?
No. There is no single perfect hay for every metabolic horse. The best forage program depends on the horse’s insulin status, body condition, workload, medical status, and overall diet balance.
What is the overall goal when feeding a metabolic horse?
The goal is not to feed the least hay possible. The goal is to provide the safest and most appropriate forage for the individual horse while focusing on lower NSC, moderate or low calories, consistency, proper testing, and the horse’s individual needs.
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