Addressing misinformation relating to sugar in the equine diet

General recommendations for low-sugar diets are often provided for equines experiencing various diseases, with limited understanding of the dietary components that contribute the most sugar. Legal requirements complicate sugar declarations on feed and supplements, resulting in confusion and making comparisons between products difficult. Analytical methods used to determine sugar levels are key, especially when comparing products. This article clarifies the legal requirements for labelling and describes the most appropriate analytical methods to use for different feedstuffs. Examples of sugar levels in commonly-used ingredients are given, including forage. Particular attention is drawn to conserved forage and the impact that different conservation techniques have on sugar levels. This is of importance when reviewing studies exploring the impact of so-called haylages for those requiring low-sugar diets.