There is an immense amount of hype around low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) or low-sugar diets. But before we jump on the trend, let’s whoa for a second. What do we actually mean when we ask for a low-NSC feed, and what are we trying to achieve?
To clear the confusion, let’s start with the laboratory definitions:
- WSC (Water-Soluble Carbohydrates): Simple sugars plus fructans.
- ESC (Ethanol-Soluble Carbohydrates): Primarily just the simple sugars.
- Starch: Long-chain glucose molecules.
- NSC: Total non-structural carbohydrates. (Tip: Ask your feed company if they calculate this as WSC + Starch or ESC + Starch).
Because the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) does not require NSC percentages on guaranteed analysis tags, marketing jargon often replaces standardized terms. This creates a massive gap between clinical safety and commercial labeling.
Clinically, a “low NSC” diet is a strict therapeutic standard, typically 10% to 12% or less, designed to manage medical conditions like Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), laminitis, and PPID (Cushing’s), or even Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM). Commercially, however, a feed labeled “low starch” or “low sugar” often falls anywhere between 11% and 20% NSC, while performance lines sit between 20% and 35%.
Furthermore, a percentage on a bag doesn’t equal physical intake. Total sugar and starch exposure depends entirely on the feeding rate. For example, feeding just 1 pound of a ration balancer at 15% NSC actually delivers less physical sugar and starch to the bloodstream than feeding 4.5 pounds of a senior feed at 10% NSC.
While restricting carbohydrates is vital for metabolic or specifically affected horses, it is not a universal baseline. For hard-working athletes, growing yearlings, or lactating mares, cutting NSCs too drastically can compromise health, development, and recovery. Horses in moderate to high training rely heavily on anaerobic glycolysis: burning muscle glycogen for fast, powerful bursts of energy. Because horses naturally replenish muscle glycogen very slowly, an excessively low-NSC diet rapidly impairs their ability to perform and recover over consecutive days of work.
Ultimately, the goal is to feed the individual horse, matching energy sources directly to their life stage and workload. Doing so ensures they have the correct fuel without making them “hot” or causing unhealthy weight gain. It also makes sure we are not depriving a horse of their number one fuel source, glucose, unless it is otherwise necessary for their health. Not only is glucose vital in athletic ability, but it is also the primary fuel for the horse’s brain and nervous system.
Stable MAX Performance from Elk Grove Milling, Inc. is a unique pelleted option designed specifically for the equine athlete. Because it is a uniform pellet rather than a textured sweet feed, it eliminates sorting. While it is not clinically low in NSC, it is precisely formulated to supply a controlled combination of carbohydrate and fiber energy sources that prime your horse for anaerobic performance and efficient recovery. For the ultimate tailored diet, it pairs perfectly with our Stable MAX Ultra Mate ration balancer, creating a balanced matrix of premium fuel, critical amino acids, and vital antioxidants like Vitamin E.
Stop feeding the trend and start fueling the function. Need help with balancing your horse’s diet to their life stage and activity level? Reach out to one of our Horse Feed Specialists® at www.elkgrovemilling.com, using our nutrition consult form.