Tag: Cushing’s Disease

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How To Calculate % Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) in your horse’s diet.

When considering low-starch or low-carb nutrition options, it is important for owners to calculate NSC in their horse’s dietary regimen. With diets high in NSC linked to several digestive and metabolic disorders, it is important to feel confident in assessing the starches and sugars in your horse’s feed.

When Would You Need To Calculate NSC?

For horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome with Insulin Dysregulation (EMS/ID) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) also known as “Equine Cushing’s Disease”.

What is the maximum %NSC that should be allowed?

That depends on the severity of insulin dysregulation in the individual horse. Suggested Guidelines (*individual horses will vary) for the Maximum NSC in the Total Diet:

  • <10-12% for horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome
  • <15% for horses with PPID “Cushings”
  • <12% for horses with PPID “Cushings” and insulin dysregulation (*remember that insulindysregulation can range in severity and this can change as the disease progresses)
Chart representing the steps to calculate NSC in your horse's diet and example diets to follow

Ready to ensure your horse is getting the optimum nutrition at feeding time, every time? Find the perfect feed formulated specifically for horse’s needs with our Feed Selector Tool.

Feed Selector tool representing selection of feed that can calculate NSC
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Tips For Feeding Horses with Cushing’s Syndrome

As the number of horses known to have Cushing’s Syndrome increases, questions on how to feed horses with this condition also increase.  As a starting management practice, your veterinarian may recommend pergolide as an added medication for your horse.  This is available from a number of pharmaceutical sources by prescription. When it comes to feeding them, though, here are a few tips that may help make life a little easier:

Consider Joint Support for Horses with Joint Problems

If your Cushing’s horse has some joint problems, you may want to also consider using one of the chondroitin sulfate + glucosamine products that are available in supplement form.

Opt for Low Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) Forage

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.

Choose Fortified Senior Feeds For Horses With Cushing’s Syndrome

They do well on senior feeds that are fortified with lysine, methionine, biotin, vitamin E and organic trace minerals (copper, zinc, manganese and selenium) to help maintain muscle mass, support hoof growth and support immune response.

Follow Feeding Directions for Senior Feed

Feeding directions need to be followed to make certain enough senior feed is being fed as these older horses may not be able to utilize forage very efficiently.

Address Weight Maintenance

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.

Consider Medication and Cost For Horse’s With Cushing’s Syndrome

Most senior horses with Cushing’s Syndrome do very well on a senior feed and appropriate medication.  Cost of pergolide can vary greatly and your veterinarian may be able to direct you to the best source.  Good luck, and please let us know if we can help!

Ready to ensure your horse is getting the optimum nutrition at feeding time, every time? Find the perfect feed formulated specifically for horse’s needs with our Feed Selector Tool.Feed Selector tool

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