Question

I own an eight-year-old Percheron stallion that was diagnosed with equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM). He weighs about a ton, and he’s used to pull a wagon a few times a week. He has a few acres to roam, but we live in a desert area so there’s very little pasture for him to graze. He receives hefty portions of Bermuda hay, some sunflower seeds, and a forage pellet that includes vitamins and minerals with two cups of corn oil drizzled over top of them. There’s some molasses in the forage pellet. Should I be concerned with the molasses content since my stallion has EPSM?

Answer

Your horse’s current diet appears to be very appropriate for a horse with EPSM. I would not worry about the tiny amount of molasses that is in the forage pellet; it is minuscule and should have no effect on the disease.

If your horse is doing fine on the forage pellets, there is no need to change, particularly if he is not having any issues.

I hope my answer gives you some peace of mind. I wish more owners would double-check with an equine nutritionist when they’re unsure of nutritional management.