Alfalfa averages 10-15% NSC, and oat hay is very high, averaging 22%. Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay.
Can horses with Cushings have hay?
It has a high nutrient and fat content, is soft, and easily digestible, and has a low NSC level of 11.7%. Because most horses that get Cushing's are middle-aged or older, this Senior feed can replace hay and be fed as the sole feed or with hay.
What kind of hay does Cushings horse need?
Increased energy requirements can be met by feeding alfalfa (lucerne) hay or chaff, super-fibers such as beet pulp and soy hulls, or a low- to moderate-NSC feed. Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy.
Can horses with Cushings have alfalfa?
Regular exercise reduces blood glucose levels, so it will help horses with Cushing's disease. Standlee Premium Western Forage offers several products that can be beneficial in the feeding program of horses with Cushing's including: Premium Alfalfa Pellets or Organic Alfalfa Pellets.
Can horses with Cushings have grass?
Horses and ponies with both diseases have an increased risk of laminitis on grass. If your pony has not been tested for ID, or his ID has not been stabilized with diet, exercise and medications, then I don't recommend allowing him any time on grass, no matter the season.
30 related questions foundWhat should I feed my senior horse with Cushing's?
Equine Senior® Active is appropriate for senior horses who can still chew hay well and is low in starch and sugar. Additionally, it includes quality protein and higher calorie levels to support harder keepers or those still working or competing.
What does chasteberry do for horses?
Ongoing research shows the many benefits of chasteberry for healthy pituitary function, balancing hormone levels and supporting glucose metabolism in horses and dogs. Evitex is very palatable and along with a healthy diet, will help promote long-term health.
Is Timothy hay good for horses with Cushing's?
Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) – This is a measure of the non-structural carbohydrates in the feed. If your horse has Cushing's disease or is prone to colic or laminitis, you want to select hay with a lower NSC value. Timothy and alfalfa hay may have a 15 percent or 20 percent NSC value, respectively.
Is rice bran good for horses with Cushing's?
Cushing's syndrome horses require a hay or pasture source that is low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), so you might want to have your forage tested. If your horse is not maintaining weight, you may need to increase the feeding rate of the senior feed or add a low starch, rice bran based high fat supplement.
What is low NSC horse feed?
Low sugar/starch diets for horses
Horses with insulin dysregulation, laminitis, PPID or other veterinary-diagnosed conditions need diets with controlled starch and sugar. Diets that have low NSC levels, like WellSolve L/S® or Enrich Plus® horse feed can support normal glucose and insulin responses to feeding.
What hay has the least amount of sugar?
If you are looking for low-sugar hay for a metabolic horse, it's all about how the hay is grown and managed. Teff can be as low as 5% sugar and the only other hay that's this low in sugar is bluegrass straw—which is also used a lot for metabolic horses."
Is timothy hay or alfalfa better for horses?
Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it's generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.
Are hay cubes good for horses?
Alfalfa cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. Because of the high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins, alfalfa cubes are very effective in feeding programs for broodmares and young growing horses.
How long does chasteberry take to work in horses?
Blood tests and assessment of clinical symptoms were conducted before treatment, at 3 months and after 6 months. Chasteberry treatment alone improved clinical scores in the horses after three months and this improvement continued to six months.
What is the treatment for Cushings in horses?
Some of the medications used to treat horses with Cushing's include pergolide, bromocriptine and cyproheptadine. Studies have shown that pergolide is the most effective drug to control Cushing's disease in horses.
How much chasteberry do you give a horse?
The usual dose of Chasteberry for horses is 15 to 30 grams of the ground whole Chastetree berries. However, because Chasteberry 5X is an extract, it is more concentrated and you may start with a dose as low as 3 grams.
Can horses with Cushings have carrots?
Unfortunately most commercially made horse treats, as well as apples and carrots, can be high in sugar. This presents a problem with horses that have Cushing's disease, or Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome, as those horses' sugar and starch intake must be limited.
Are Oats good for horses with Cushings?
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, ...
Should you clip a horse with Cushings?
What if my horse has Cushing's Disease? Horses with Cushing's disease often struggle to shed their winter coats, so their coats are thicker all year round, which can become uncomfortable for them. Because of this, you should clip them regularly.
Are alfalfa cubes or pellets better?
There is no nutritional difference between alfalfa pellets and cubes, so the choice between the two is based on which type your horses prefer and which you prefer to feed and store. Alfalfa pellets, cubes, and hay provide the same essential nutrients per pound.
Are grass nuts good for horses?
Support and nurture a healthy hindgut microbial community, which is key to equine health. Naturally occurring sugars in grass nuts mean they are naturally sweet. This makes them highly palatable – great for fussy feeders. The fibre in grass nuts supplies a source of slow-release energy which helps provide stamina.
Are hay pellets good for horses?
Horses often eat hay pellets faster than traditional hay because the smaller, ground particles are easy to chew and swallow. Hay pellets also do not provide any long-stem forage. However, for horses with poor teeth, soaking these pellets can still provide important fiber and nutrients.
What is the best grass hay for horses?
Mixed or mixed-grass hay usually means that it has different types of grasses in it. Common mixes are timothy/alfalfa, orchardgrass/ alfalfa, and orchardgrass/clover. The best hay mix for most horses, without any health problems, is one-half Alfalfa and one-half Timothy.
What hay is not good for horses?
Bahiagrass: This grass hails from the southern coastal plains. It's typically found in pastures, so the stuff they make into hay is not that great for horses. Overly mature Bahiagrass hay can cause ergot poisoning, so buyer beware.
What type of hay is good for horses?
There are quite a few different types of hay that people feed to horses, but hay generally falls into one of two categories – legumes and grasses. Alfalfa hay, sometimes called lucerne hay, is the most popular legume hay fed to horses in the U.S., while timothy and orchard are popular grass hay choices.
