You’ve probably heard the term “glycaemic index” at some point. This buzz-phrase has been circulating among informed horse owners for several years, but what does it mean? More importantly, why is it important in equine nutrition?
Glycaemic index is a system used to rank carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels, providing a numerical index of the level of glucose in the blood after a meal. Though originally developed for humans, the system has been modified for horses. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion have the highest glycaemic indices. On the opposite end of the spectrum, carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream, have the lowest glycaemic indices.
Both cereal grains and forages are included in the table and the values shown are estimates and may differ according to individual studies.
To use this knowledge in everyday feed management, remember that horses are healthiest when fed diets that can be digested and absorbed slowly.
This article was written in conjunction with Barastoc.
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