Tag: equine health

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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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Ask the Expert: Red Urine in Snow

red urine in snowQuestion: My horse’s urine appears red in the snow. My horse seems healthy, but should I be concerned (see photo)?

Response: Horse urine can change color after being voided due to the presence of plant metabolites (pyrocatechines) in the urine that turn a red or orange color when mixed with oxygen.

This can happen year around, but is especially noticeable in snow.

This can also be noticeable in new, light-colored shavings.

Normal horse urine appears colorless to yellow to dark yellow when voided.

If the urine appears red, brown, or orange as it is being voided that can indicate a serious problem and your veterinarian should be called immediately.

Bottom line, if horse urine is an abnormal color as it is being voided or you observe frequent urination or straining to urinate call your veterinarian immediately.

If your horse is passing normal colored urine that turns red or orange in the snow, that is normal.

This article is reprinted with permission from Krishona Martinson, University of Minnesota. This and other horse nutrition articles can be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/nutrition/.

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