{"product_id":"low-sugar-hay","title":"Low Sugar 1st Cut NY Timothy-Orchard Hay – Lab-Tested Low NSC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow sugar hay, also called low NSC or low starch hay, is grass hay lab-tested for low sugar and starch. HayNow's lot 260910-01 is 1st cut NY Timothy-Orchard hay at 11.4% NSC (WSC + starch, dry matter), sold in 18-bale pallets and delivered free from Virginia to New Hampshire, including DC.\u003c\/strong\u003e It's our low sugar horse hay, a common pick for owners of insulin resistant (IR), EMS, Cushing's (PPID) and laminitis-prone horses who need tested hay. Consult your vet about your horse's diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for low sugar hay for horses? This is lab-tested 1st cut Timothy-Orchard hay from New York, sold by the lot so you can see the sugar numbers before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Every lot we list here has its own Dairy One forage test, and the numbers are printed right on this page. Pick your lot, order in 18-bale pallets, and we deliver from Virginia to New Hampshire, plus Washington, DC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe define \"low sugar\" the way many horse owners and nutritionists do: \u003cstrong\u003eNSC (WSC + starch) around 12% or less on a dry matter basis\u003c\/strong\u003e. The current lot, 260910-01, tests at \u003cstrong\u003e11.4% NSC\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy sugar in hay matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor most horses, the sugar and starch in grass hay is no big deal. But for horses with insulin resistance (IR), equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), PPID (Cushing's) or a history of laminitis, many owners and vets work to keep non-structural carbohydrates low across the whole diet. Hay is usually the biggest part of that diet, so knowing what is in it matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trouble is that you can't see sugar. Two bales from the same field can test very differently depending on when the grass was cut, the weather and the time of day. The only way to know is to test. That is why this hay is often chosen for easy keepers and metabolic horses: you get the real numbers, not a guess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis hay is not a treatment for any condition. Every horse is different, so please ask your vet or equine nutritionist what NSC target is right for your horse.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eLot 260910-01 test results\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDairy One Forage Lab, Ithaca, NY. Sample 31663310. Sampled 9\/11\/26, results 9\/15\/26. The full lab report is shown in the product photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNutrient\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDry matter (DM)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAs fed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSC (WSC + starch)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11.4%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10.0%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWSC (water-soluble carbohydrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.2%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.8%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eESC (ethanol-soluble carbohydrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStarch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.2%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.2%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eESC + starch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.7%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.2%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrude protein (CP)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.9%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e–\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelative feed value (RFV)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e81\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e–\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDairy One does not print NSC on this report, so NSC is figured the standard way: WSC + starch. \"Dry matter\" means the numbers with all moisture removed, which is how most feeding guidelines are written. \"As fed\" is the hay as it sits in the bale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat NSC, WSC, ESC and starch mean\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNSC (non-structural carbohydrates)\u003c\/strong\u003e – the sugars and starch in the plant, figured here as WSC + starch. This is the number we use to call a lot \"low sugar.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWSC (water-soluble carbohydrates)\u003c\/strong\u003e – simple sugars plus fructans, the storage sugar that cool-season grasses like Timothy and Orchardgrass build up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eESC (ethanol-soluble carbohydrates)\u003c\/strong\u003e – the simple sugars only, a smaller part of WSC. Some vets look at ESC + starch instead of NSC.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStarch\u003c\/strong\u003e – usually very low in grass hay. This lot is 0.2%.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe show all of them so you and your vet can use whichever measure you prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat goes into a tested low-sugar lot\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis hay costs more than our regular 1st cut because there is a lot more work behind every pallet:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSourcing:\u003c\/strong\u003e we look for low-sugar lots from New York growers, and most lots don't make the cut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLab testing:\u003c\/strong\u003e each lot is sampled and sent to Dairy One before it goes on sale here.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuaranteed numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e the pallets you receive come from the exact lot you picked, with the numbers on this page.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet aside:\u003c\/strong\u003e tested lots are kept separate and your pallets are tagged with your lot number, so they never get mixed with untested hay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hay is pressed into small compressed bales, stacked and wrapped in Earlville, NY.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery in 18-bale pallets\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell this hay by the pallet: 18 bales per pallet, ordered in multiples of 18. Delivery covers Virginia to New Hampshire, plus Washington, DC. Each pallet is wrapped and labeled with your lot number so you know exactly what you got.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery order is backed by our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/haynow.com\/pages\/guarantee\"\u003eNo-Mold Guarantee\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eLow sugar hay FAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat counts as low sugar hay?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no legal definition. Many owners and nutritionists use NSC (WSC + starch) of about 10–12% or less on a dry matter basis as the target for metabolic horses. We only list lots in this product that test in that range, and we show the exact numbers for each lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between NSC and ESC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNSC (WSC + starch) includes fructans, the storage sugar in cool-season grass. ESC + starch leaves fructans out. Some vets prefer one, some the other. This lot is low on both: 11.4% NSC and 4.7% ESC + starch (DM).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I still need to soak my hay?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe. Soaking can lower sugar further, and some horses need an even lower number than any hay tests at. Ask your vet whether your horse needs soaked hay. Knowing the tested numbers helps you and your vet make that call.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Timothy hay good for insulin-resistant or laminitic horses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTimothy and Orchardgrass hay is often chosen for IR, EMS and laminitis-prone horses because grass hay is usually lower in sugar and protein than alfalfa. But variety alone doesn't guarantee low sugar, which is why each lot is tested. Always check with your vet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the testing work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA core sample is taken from the lot and sent to Dairy One Forage Lab in Ithaca, NY. The lab report, with the sample date and report number, is posted for each lot. When a lot sells out, it comes off the list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between 1st and 2nd cut?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1st cut is the first harvest of the year. It is coarser, with more stem and fiber and usually less protein than 2nd cut, which is leafier and softer. 1st cut is a common pick for easy keepers and horses that need to chew longer on lower-calorie hay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do pallets and delivery work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach pallet holds 18 small compressed bales, and orders go in multiples of 18. Pick your lot, choose how many pallets, and we deliver anywhere from Virginia to New Hampshire, plus DC. Your pallets arrive wrapped and tagged with the lot number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMore questions about low sugar hay\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhere can I buy low sugar hay online?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eHayNow sells lab-tested low sugar (low NSC) 1st cut Timothy-Orchard hay online at haynow.com. It comes in 18-bale pallets with free delivery from Virginia to New Hampshire, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington, DC.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs this hay low starch and low carb?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Lot 260910-01 tests at 0.2% starch and 11.4% NSC (WSC + starch) on a dry matter basis, so it is low starch and low in non-structural carbohydrates, which is what people usually mean by low carb hay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat hay is best for a horse that has foundered or has laminitis?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eMany vets suggest tested grass hay with low NSC for horses with a history of founder or laminitis, sometimes soaked as well. This lot is tested at 11.4% NSC and 4.7% ESC + starch (DM). Every horse is different, so consult your vet on the right hay and NSC target.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat hay is good for horses with Cushing's (PPID) or EMS?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwners of horses with PPID (Cushing's), EMS or insulin resistance often look for hay tested under about 10 to 12% NSC. This hay is not a treatment for any condition; consult your vet or equine nutritionist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs this hay under 10% NSC?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The current lot is 11.4% NSC on a dry matter basis (10.0% as fed) and 4.7% ESC + starch (DM). If your vet wants under 10% NSC on a dry matter basis, ask them whether soaking this hay is a good fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I return low sugar hay?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eHay can't be returned, but every order is covered by our No-Mold Guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What counts as low sugar hay?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"There is no legal definition. Many owners and nutritionists use NSC (WSC + starch) of about 10\\u201312% or less on a dry matter basis as the target for metabolic horses. 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Your pallets arrive wrapped and tagged with the lot number.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Where can I buy low sugar hay online?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"HayNow sells lab-tested low sugar (low NSC) 1st cut Timothy-Orchard hay online at haynow.com. It comes in 18-bale pallets with free delivery from Virginia to New Hampshire, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington, DC.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this hay low starch and low carb?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. 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