Beet molasses contains up to 50% sugar, and cane molasses about 38%, which is why the latter is used more often in the production of horse feed. It has a sweet taste, and even a small amount improves the palatability of a feed. This is particularly helpful when feeding picky horses. From a manufacturing point of view it reduces dust and makes feeds easier to pellet, thanks to its sticky consistency. What is more, molasses lowers production costs, because as a by-product of the sugar industry it is readily available and inexpensive.
Some of you may have noticed the feeding trends currently popular for horses. One of them is certainly the choice of feeds with the lowest possible starch and sugar content, and not without reason. It comes from metabolic disorders and digestive disease, above all ulcers, being diagnosed in horses more and more often. I encourage you to read the post titled “Why are more and more horses suffering from gastric ulcer disease?”, in which we look at the subject more closely (👉 link).
Horses suffering from the diseases mentioned above, or in the risk group, need simple sugars in the diet reduced as far as possible, according to veterinary advice. Molasses is a rich source of them, which is why manufacturers prefer, for safety, to leave this feed ingredient out of their recipes. Interestingly, the latest studies show that too much sugar is also a cause of laminitis. When assessing a feed’s composition, attention should therefore be paid not only to the presence of molasses, but also to the total sugar content of the mix. Let us remember, however, horses in intense work, which have a higher requirement for readily available energy, that is carbohydrates.
It is not as frightening as it is made out to be 😈. For a horse that is in good health and does not need special feeding, you can choose products that contain molasses. Do pay attention to the percentage, though: choose those that contain a maximum of 5%. If the manufacturer has not given that information, see where it sits on the ingredient list. The further down it is, the smaller the share of molasses in the product. Another guide is the quality of the feed itself. If it is sticky, or contains compacted clumps of dust, that can indicate too much molasses.
Finally, if you decide to feed products with added molasses, stay alert. Skin allergies and food intolerances are often a reaction to this very ingredient in the diet. In addition, eating sweet products can contribute to dental problems, such as caries or a build-up of tartar, especially in older horses. Do not worry if your horse is picky. There are other products that support the palatability of a feed, such as vegetable oils, which have a low glycaemic index and do not burden the metabolism. The conclusion? The safest feeds for horses are those made from natural ingredients, which is why we took that to heart when creating Grassland products <3 None of them contain molasses or artificial binders!