Ep. 088: NSC, Sugars, Starches, Fructans – Are They Good or Bad for Horses?

On this episode, co-host Katy Starr and guest expert Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD, MS, PAS discuss the confusing terminology of NSC, WSC, ESC, sugars, starches, and fructans, including:

• What are sugars, starches, and fructans?
• What are non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) - is it something that can be measured or is it a calculation?
• What feed changes have the GREATEST impact on horses needing a low sugar and starch diet?

We’re breaking it down to better understand how carbohydrates are utilized in the horse’s body and how it matters more for certain horses than others. Dr. Duren also shares what is most often misunderstood by horse owners when it comes to ESC, WSC, and NSC. Don’t miss this episode!

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [e-mail]

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*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

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Helpful Info – 

NSC = starch + WSC

WSC = ESC + fructans

ESC = sugar

• A hay analysis will come back reporting on starch, ESC, and WSC
• A non-forage feed label will generally report on ESC, which is sugar, but this is still not quite the number for NSC

~18-01 – “Ep. 037: Navigating When to Soak, Steam, Wet or Leave Hay Dry with Dr. Krishona Martinson” – podcast episode on research of soaking or steaming hay to reduce sugars - https://www.standleeforage.com/podcast/episodes/ep-037-navigating-when-to-soak-steam-wet-or-leave-hay-dry-with-dr-krishona-martinson/

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Scientific references – 

1. Longland, A. C., Barfoot, C., & Harris, P. A. (2011).
   Effects of soaking on water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein content of hay.
   Veterinary Record, 168(23), 618.
2. Moore-Colyer, M., Lumbis, K., Longland, A., Harris, P. (2014).
   The effect of five different wetting treatments on the water-soluble carbohydrate content of mature hays.
   Pferdeheilkunde, 30(2), 180-184.
3. Harris, P. A., Ellis, A. D., Fradinho, M. J., Jansson, A., Julliand, V., Luthersson, N., Santos, A. S., & Vervuert, I. (2017).
   Feeding conserved forage to horses: recent advances and recommendations.
   Animal, 11(6), 958-967. 
4. Geor, R. J. (2009).
   Metabolic predispositions to laminitis in horses and ponies: obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndromes.
   Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 29(2), 105-112.
5. Longland, A. C., Barfoot, C., & Harris, P. A. (2014).
   Effect of variability in forage carbohydrate content on suitability for equids with insulin dysregulation.
   Pferdeheilkunde, 30(2), 121-127.
6. McGowan, C. M., Pinchbeck, G. L., Patterson-Kane, J. C., et al. (2013).
   Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Risk factors and recommendations for dietary management.
   Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 27(6), 1333-1350.
7. Treiber, K. H., Kronfeld, D. S., Geor, R. J. (2006).
   Insulin resistance in equids: possible role in laminitis.
   Journal of Nutrition, 136(7 Suppl), 2094S-2098S.

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