Low-Sugar Hay
For metabolic horses (insulin resistance, EMS, Cushing's/PPID) or those with a laminitis history -- low-sugar hay tested under 10% sugar and starch is a genuine health necessity, not a preference.
Runner-up: Grass-Alfalfa Mix · Retake the quiz
Why this fits you
- Your horse has a diagnosed metabolic condition (insulin resistance, EMS, or Cushing's/PPID).
- Your horse has a history of laminitis or founder.
- Managing sugar and starch intake is a medical necessity, not just a preference.
Horses with insulin resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushing's disease (PPID), or a laminitis history need hay tested and confirmed under about 10% combined sugar and starch (non-structural carbohydrates) -- this isn't achievable by guessing from hay type alone, since sugar content varies significantly by cutting, maturity, and growing conditions even within the same grass species.
How it compares
| Hay type | Protein | Sugar/starch risk | Typical use |
| Timothy or Orchardgrass Hay | 8-10% | Moderate | Healthy adult maintenance |
| Low-Sugar Hay | Varies (tested) | Tested under 10% | Metabolic/laminitis horses |
| Alfalfa Hay | 15-20% | Low-moderate | Growth, lactation, heavy work |
| Grass-Alfalfa Mix Hay | 10-15% | Low-moderate | Moderate work, ulcers, seniors |
| Bermudagrass Hay | 7-10% | Generally low | Southeast maintenance |
| Hay Cubes or Chopped Forage | Varies by type | Varies by type | Dental/chewing issues |
Buying checklist
- Get hay lab-tested for NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) -- don't guess from type alone
- Soaking hay in water for 30-60 minutes can reduce sugar content further if needed
- Work with your veterinarian on this horse's specific dietary management
When this isn’t the right fit
Low-sugar hay is not needed for a healthy horse with no metabolic or laminitis history. A claim of low sugar should be backed by a lab test and not guessed from the hay type, and it does not replace veterinary management.
Other results from this quiz may suit your situation better:
- Hay Cubes or Chopped Forage: for horses that drop wads of hay, chew slowly, or have missing teeth
- Alfalfa Hay: for young growing horses, nursing mares, or horses in heavy work
- Grass-Alfalfa Mix Hay: for moderate work, older horses, or gastric-sensitive horses
- Bermudagrass Hay: for horse owners in the Southeast and Gulf Coast
- Timothy or Orchardgrass Hay: for most healthy adult horses in light to moderate work
Because this touches your horse’s health or comfort, check with your veterinarian before you act on a general guide like this one.
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Can I just soak regular hay instead of buying tested low-sugar hay?
Soaking can reduce sugar somewhat, but it's not a reliable substitute for actually tested low-NSC hay for a genuinely metabolic horse -- talk to your vet about the right approach for your horse's specific condition.
Why can't I just tell by looking at the hay?
Sugar and starch content isn't visible or predictable by hay type, cutting, or appearance -- it varies with growing conditions, maturity at cutting, and other factors that require actual lab testing to know for certain.
Is this the same as low-calorie hay for weight management?
Related but not identical -- a metabolic horse needs low NSC specifically, which often overlaps with lower-calorie hay but is a distinct, medically-driven requirement rather than a general weight-management choice.
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