Understanding Starch in Horse Feeds: Separating Fact from Fiction

One of the most frequent questions I encounter is: “What exactly is a low starch feed?” 

Different companies have varying definitions. For instance, one brand might label a feed with 9% starch as low, while another might say 15% starch is low. I've even seen some feeds labeled high starch at 17%, but is 17% truly high starch? Not exactly.

The lack of industry standards for starch levels in horse feeds leads to a lot of confusion among many horse owners. As a result many horse owners find themselves trying to decipher feed tags with inadequate information, to determine what’s best for their horse.

For example, is 5 pounds of low starch feed really safe? It depends.The answers aren’t straightforward and depend on various factors. 

The Function of NSCs

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) include starches and sugars that provide horses with valuable nutrients and the energy they need to thrive. They are digested by enzymes in the small intestine before they reach the hindgut. If there’s an overload of NSCs, the small intestine cannot keep up and undigested starch can reach the hindgut causing a number of problems.  For instance, too much starch in a horse’s diet can cause hindgut acidosis, colic, or laminitis. 

However, starch is not the enemy. It is essential for energy, but must be managed correctly. 

On the other hand, we also want to make sure the starch level doesn't fall too low. A diet too low in starch can lead to poor body condition and lack of energy.  This can cause them to look kind of weedy, have weak toplines, and you can often start to see ribs.

Starch is needed for normal biological processes for good health. In my experience, I’ve found many owners prematurely removing what would otherwise be considered good, safe products from their horse's repertoire because of misinformation. 

Separating Fact from Fiction

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s clear up the confusion surrounding starch levels in horse feeds. 

Equine nutritional professionals care about exactly how many grams of feed your horse is eating, how many they should be eating, and at what point problems may arise.  The first step we usually take is to examine the starch content of a feed you’re using, would like to use, or we’d recommend.

Classifications of Starch Content

Here is the breakdown we use to determine where a feed falls:

1. Ultra Low Starch Feeds: 6% or less

2. Low Starch Feeds: 10% or less

3. Moderate Starch Feeds: 11-20%

4. Moderate-High Starch Feeds: 20-30%

5. High Starch Feeds: Over 30%

Identifying Starch Content in Feeds

• High Starch Feeds: These are typically corn and oat-based products, such as classic sweet feeds. High starch feeds are easily identified by their ingredient list, which predominantly features grains known for their high starch content.

• Moderate Starch Feeds: Most high-quality forage-based feeds fall into the 11-20% starch range. These include ration balancers, senior feeds, complete feeds, and performance feeds. These are suitable for most horses, especially those without specific metabolic conditions like metabolic syndrome, Cushing's disease, or muscle myopathies. 

• Low and Ultra Low Starch Feeds: Examples of these feeds include beet pulp and alfalfa pellets. These products are generally lower in fat and have become more common in the market, offering suitable options for horses needing minimal starch intake. Horses with metabolic conditions, muscle myopathies, or Cushing's disease benefit from diets with starch content at 10% or below.

Practical Steps You Can Take

Verify Starch Content

Always cross-check product labels, company information, and package directions to confirm the starch content. Be aware that companies are not legally required to list non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in the guaranteed analysis, so additional verification may be needed from reliable sources.

Balanced Nutrition

It is essential to balance the diet according to the horse's workload, life stage, body condition, and dietary goals. Consider all components of the horse’s diet, including good-quality hay and grass, to ensure comprehensive nutrition and appropriate NSC intake.

Focus on Grams per Meal

The percentage on the label is only the starting point of the conversation about starch. We care about the grams per meal because this determines the actual impact on the horse’s health. For instance, a metabolic horse might be better off receiving one pound of a feed with 16% NSC rather than 3 pounds of a feed with a 9% NSC content to control the overall starch intake.

Generally, feeds under 20% starch are considered moderate and very safe. For horses working at high levels, some starch in the diet is necessary for normal processes. Adding up the grams of starch consumed can sometimes reveal that a higher NSC feed might deliver fewer total grams of starch than a larger quantity of a lower NSC feed but both meet your horse’s nutritional requirements.

The bottom line: The ingredient list will inform you if a product is high or low in starch and you need to do some math. 

Context is Key

The percentage of starch on the label is only the starting point. You have to look at the entire picture. This includes considering the horse’s size, life stage, body and health condition, and workload. 

The total diet must also be evaluated, including the quality of hay and pasture grass, to ensure that the horse’s nutritional needs are met. If the hay quality is poor and has a low NSC content, increasing the starch content in the feed may be necessary to maintain the horse's body condition and health. 

If you’re not looking at the whole picture, you are likely not getting an accurate idea of how much starch your horse is consuming.

Conclusion

Remember, starch is essential but must be managed correctly or it will cause problems. When making feed decisions you need to know the numbers and the context. Fortunately when it comes to starch, we can determine the concrete numbers. There is no magic. 

If you have any specific questions or need personalized advice, please reach out. I can help you design a diet that keeps your horse at a safe level while still giving them the full nutrition they need.