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Feed Like the Pros: Best Nutrition for Metabolic Horses and Other Conditions

metabolic horses

How are elite equestrians feeding their horses with metabolic or other health conditions, so they can still compete at the top level? The answer is on the labels. In this blog series, “Feed Like the Pros,” we reveal expert advice on equine nutrition, including how to feed horses with HYPP, PSSM, EMS, PPID/Cushings, Laminitis, or Insulin Resistance and what ultra-premium ingredients to include or avoid in their diets.

Keep reading to learn the best nutrition for metabolic horses, so you can feed like the ProElite® pros.

Best Nutrition for Metabolic Horses and Other Conditions

“To get the best output, you need the best nutritional input.” That motto is especially true for horses with strict diet requirements. Before deciding the best feed and supplements for your horse with HYPP, PSSM, EMS, PPID/Cushings, Laminitis, or Insulin Resistance, there are some basic feeding fundamentals to keep in mind.

  • Test Your Hay: For most horses, quality forage should be the primary source of energy. When you have a horse with specific dietary challenges, we highly recommend testing your hay to understand the baseline sugar, protein, fiber, and other nutrient levels in their diet. This will act as the building block for your feeding program as you layer in feed and supplements to round out their diet.

  • Weigh Serving Size: Know how much forage and grain your horse is getting. Serving sizes should be based off percent body weight, not “one scoop” or “two flakes” since those weights vary by product.

  • Calculate Diet: After testing your hay and weighing each serving, you can look at the guarantees on feed tags or supplement labels to calculate true percentages. It is important to look at % min and % max in comparison to quantity being fed.

  • Check Guarantees:  Trust companies with nutrition-locked formulas and premium ingredients that are listed in the Guaranteed Analysis to ensure your horse is getting the best in every bite.

Diet Recommendations for HYPP, PSSM, EMS, PPID/Cushings, Laminitis, or Insulin Resistance

While it is best to consult a vet to treat metabolic conditions, proper nutrition can help manage the symptoms. Here are some general diet recommendations and feed for the most common special dietary considerations in horses.

  • Horse Feed for HYPP: HYPP stands for Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, which is a genetic condition that affects muscle function due to high levels of potassium in the bloodstream. A DNA test can help confirm status and appropriate veterinary treatment, but the main dietary goal in horses suspected of being N/H or H/H is keeping total dietary potassium under 1.0%. It is best to feed your HYPP-positive horse oat or grass hay while avoiding high-potassium forage like orchard or alfalfa. Additionally, avoid feed and supplements with ingredients containing high levels of potassium such as cane, molasses, bran mashes, or electrolytes containing potassium. While you’re researching “best low-potassium horse feed”, be sure to explore ProElite® Starch Wise.

  • Horse Feed for PSSM: PSSM stands for Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, which is a muscle disease and one form of tying up. Horses can have PSSM-1 (excessive glycogen storage) or PSSM-2 (an abnormality of glycogen synthesis regulation). In both cases, a low-starch, high-fat diet is recommended. Ideally, PSSM horses should have most of the daily digestible energy intake from fat sources. A PSSM-friendly feeding program usually consists of a high quality, forage-based diet with less than 12% total NSC (Nonstructural Carbohydrates), high quality protein and amino acids, at least 2,000 IU/day Vitamin E, as well as access to salt and fresh water at all times. In addition, it’s important to avoid pasture grass with high levels of fructans  to keep total diet NSC low. Diet Balancers are usually a good nutritional fit for PSSM horses since balancers can be fed at a low rate to keep total NSCs low while providing a concentrated source of protein, Vitamin E, and other essential nutrients. While you’re researching “best low-starch, high-fat, high-protein horse feed” for PSSM, be sure to explore ProElite® Alfalfa Advantage.

  • Horse Feed for EMS: EMS stands for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, and abnormal fat deposits that can also predispose a horse to chronic laminitis. Preventing EMS by maintaining optimal body condition is key, but diet can help manage this metabolic condition. Horses with EMS should have less than 10% NSCs in their total diet. The best feed for horses with EMS is a low-calorie, low NSC feed packed with nutrients like magnesium, vitamin E, zinc and chromium. While you’re researching “best controlled starch horse feed” for EMS or Insulin Resistance, be sure to explore  ProElite® Starch Wise.

  • Horse Feed for PPID/Cushings: Cushings, also known as PPID which stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, is an endocrine disorder that affects the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland becomes hyperactive resulting in symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, abnormal coat, and muscle atrophy. While there is no way to prevent PPID, you can treat with your vet and manage symptoms with nutrition. Many horses with PPID can also have insulin resistance so diet recommendations may include low NSC forage and feed. Feeds or supplements with lysine, methionine, biotin, vitamin E, and organic trace minerals (copper, zinc, manganese and selenium) help support weight and muscle maintenance, hoof growth, and immune health. While you’re researching “best controlled starch horse feed” for Cushings or PPID, be sure to explore ProElite Starch Wise for more calories or a diet balancer like ProElite® Grass Advantage.

  • Horse Feed for Laminitis: There are multiple causes of laminitis, or inflammation of the laminae. However, the leading cause is overloading the hindgut with starch and sugars from either excess grain or pasture consumption, causing a chain of events that increase inflammation in the hooves. For that reason, horses prone to laminitis should be fed very low starch diets (<10% NSC) with vitamins/minerals and amino acids to help with repair of the hoof wall and structures. Look for magnesium and chromium on your feed tag because these ingredients assist with insulin sensitivity. 

Choose the Winning Combo

Because of the strict diet requirements for metabolic horses and other health conditions, elite training programs trust the ProElite suite of premium products to provide consistent, nutrition-locked formulas. While there are many combinations of feed and supplements that can meet your horse’s needs, here are some of the most popular ProElite feeds for metabolic conditions:

Diet Balancers and Top Dress:

Feed:

Supplements:

Where to Buy