This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Privacy Overview
Steaming vs. Soaking to Reduce Hay NSC Levels
Q: My veterinarian just diagnosed my mare with insulin resistance and recommended I soak her hay because I haven’t had it tested. I’ve been doing some research and I’m wondering whether I could steam it instead?
A: Horses with insulin resistance need to consume diets with low nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC, the sum of the starch and water-soluble carbohydrates in the diet) levels. Generally, nutritionists and veterinarians recommend that the diet should contain less than 12% NSC on a dry matter basis.
Since the majority of a horse’s diet should be forage, it is important to consider the forage’s NSC content. There is no point in carefully feeding a low-NSC commercial fortified feed if the horse’s forage is high in sugar
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Written by:
Clair Thunes, PhD
Related Articles
Large Colon Volvulus in the Postpartum Mare
A Case of Persistent Pastern Dermatitis
Deciphering Multilimb Lameness in Horses
Equine Hoof Care Teams at Work
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com
Sponsored Content
Feeding Young Growing Horses to Reduce the Risk of Developmental Orthopedic Disease
A Challenging Laminitis Case in a PPID Pony
Wound Care Strategies for Healing Wounds in Horses
Weekly Poll
Readers’ Most Popular
Top Categories