How Much Sugar in a Horse's Diet? Guidelines for Equine Health

 How Much Sugar in a Horse’s Diet? The Truth About Grass, Molasses, and Feed

In recent years, sugar has gained a bad reputation. In humans, it is linked to obesity and diabetes; in horses, it fuels concerns over laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), and obesity. It is no surprise that sugar levels in equine diets are under intense scrutiny. But is sugar really that bad?

Sources of Sugar in the Equine Diet

Naturally occurring sugar is found in practically everything a horse eats. Grass can contain anywhere from 7.5% to 50% Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)—the sum of sugars and fructans. Research suggests ponies can consume up to 5% of their body weight in grass daily, meaning a 350kg pony could ingest nearly 9kg of sugar just from grazing!

Concentrated feeds typically contain 5% to 7% sugar, but they are fed in much smaller portions than forage. A recommended ration for a 500kg horse in light work contains about 150–200g of sugar, while a balancer (e.g., Spillers Original Multi Balancer) provides only about 25g—just two tablespoons!

The Molasses Myth

Molasses is a co-product of sugar cane or beet processing and is not pure sugar. While it contains 30–54% sugar, it is usually added to feed at levels of 10–15%, making up only 2–4% of the finished product. It is vital to look at the total sugar content of the diet rather than focusing on individual ingredients. For those preferring to avoid it, molasses-free options like Spillers Happy Hoof Molasses Free are available.

Molassed vs. Molasses-Free Feed

Happy Hoof Molasses Free contains 2% sugar compared to 5% in the standard version. Both are high-fiber, low-calorie, and low-starch, making them suitable for laminitic or overweight horses. Both are approved by "The Laminitis Trust" and contain 5mg/kg of biotin for hoof health.

Summary

Horses need a balanced diet where sugar plays a role. However, managing sugar intake for horses with EMS or obesity requires looking at the total daily intake (including pasture), not just the bucket feed.