Horse Feed Myths Regarding Molasses. Horse Feed With Added Molasses Being Questioned By Horse People

Debunking Horse Feeding Myths – Molasses, Tag Information and Horse Feed Research
by Amy M Gill, PhD

1) Molasses is a major contributor to high soluble carbohydrate in the total ration: FALSE

1) Molasses is the syrup produced from the processing of various products such as sugar beets, and sugarcane. Sugarcane molasses is commonly used in equine feed products. In recent times, with the awareness that too much starch and sugar in the equine diet can lead to metabolic disorders such as Insulin Resistance, Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy and Cushing’s Disease, many horse people are questioning whether molasses should be included in horse feeds. In reality, the amount of molasses added to horse feed (between 3-10% maximum) is generally not high enough to affect the total starch and sugar content of the total ration. For example, a horse consuming 8 pounds of horse feed with 5% molasses (typical inclusion rate of most feeds) is only getting 182 grams of molasses. Most commercial molasses products only contain 40% sugar, so the horse is eating only an additional 73 grams or 2.6 oz of sugar from the molasses. In comparison; let’s examine the contribution other feedstuffs make to the carbohydrate (sugar + starch) load of the total equine ration. Horses eating large amounts of hay typically consume as much as four times more sugar and starch from the hay as compared to eating horse feed with 5% molasses. Oats and other grains such as corn and barley contribute over three times more readily available carbohydrate than the molasses. Fresh pasture is higher in sugar content than hay. Therefore molasses in horse feed contributes less sugar and starch in horse feed than oats and other grains. So don’t be afraid of molasses in horse feed; it helps with palatability and moistens the feed so that horses will readily consume the ration.

2) Feed tags list ingredients from highest to lowest concentration: FALSE

2) Feed tags can be very deceiving and complicated. Labeling standards for feeds sold on a commercial basis are controlled by national and state regulations. In addition, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides guidelines that assist feed manufacturers in providing uniform information on feed tags. However, less than 50% of the states have adopted these guidelines to help create common feed labeling laws. Every bag of commercially prepared feed is required by law to have a tag with an ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, feeding directions, and manufacturer information attached to it. Recently, new FDA guidelines also require date codes for tracking and traceability in case of a recall. The tag has information similar to that found on food for human and pet consumption and gives information as to what it will provide nutritionally for the horse. There are several reasons for purchasers to understand feed tags:

• The tag will help you to select feeds which are appropriately balanced to the needs of the horse and whether it is complimentary to the forage source currently in use. This is very important as the forage should be considered the base of the diet, with the concentrate added only to make up for nutrients not provided by the forage.

• The tag will help with cost comparisons of similar prod¬ucts. Be sure you are comparing similar products!

• The tag may provide guidelines on feeding directions. This is very important. If you cannot feed the horse according to the directions, the horse is being fed the wrong product. For example, let’s say we have a broodmare that has just been weaned and tends to carry too much weight. She is pregnant again, so supplying protein, vitamins and minerals to support not only herself at maintenance but also the developing fetus is crucial. It would not be correct to feed her a concentrate feed that the manufacturer suggests should be fed at a rate of a minimum of 6 pounds per 1000 pound horse. She would have to consume too many calories from 6 pounds of this feed in order to obtain the correct amount of protein, vitamins and minerals she requires at this stage of pregnancy. Instead, a protein, vitamin and mineral supplement without added calories from carbohydrates and fats can be fed in very small amounts to obtain the correct levels of these nutrients.

A feed tag lists the percentages of protein, fat and fiber and concentrations of vitamins, and minerals. Two important nutrients the tag does not list is how many calories (digestible energy) and the amount of soluble carbohydrates (NSC) are contained in the feed. The reason is that the FDA and AAFCO does not have a proper definition of how these values are to be calculated. Other ingredients such as direct-fed microbials, inorganic versus organic minerals (better absorption for some minerals), enzymes and other “added value” ingredients that help improve digestibility and the overall well being of the horse may voluntarily be added to the tag. Additionally, information about the manufacturing process or facility may also be offered by the manufacturer. For example, the Triple Crown Nutrition label states that the product is guaranteed to be free of restricted ruminant protein products, an ingredient useful in bovine feeds but detrimental to the health of horses. These quality control measures and special ingredients add to the value of the product and should be considered when making feeding selections.

The feed tag list of ingredients can be listed in order from greatest to least amount in the formulation, but this is not required by law in most states and so there is no way to tell exactly how much of each ingredient is in the horse feed. Some companies will specifically list the various grains and protein supplements (oats, corn, alfalfa meal) while others use general ingredient categories for these feedstuffs (grain products, plant protein products). The first few ingredients listed generally make up the bulk of the formulation, with vitamins, minerals, and flavorings constituting a small portion of the total concentrate. However, it is impossible to determine from the tag the percentages of any ingredient.

3) Research performed by a company on its own product is as unbiased as that performed by an independent laboratory: FALSE

3) If you are in the process of reviewing horse feed manufacturers and scientific research on their horse feed is of importance to you, be sure to look at where the company conducts its research. In general, it is best for a company to hire an independent laboratory or use University data that is unbiased towards the results. In house research can be criticized for experimental design and statistical analysis that has been “skewed” to show positive results. For instance, private research that runs contrary to the bulk of university research should be questioned. Any company that cares enough to conduct research should be respected, but independent studies by a horse feed company should be considered the highest level of integrity and transparency, which in today’s world is very important!