Dr. Getty’s February Tip: Easy Keeper? Think Psyllium!

It’s a vicious cycle – elevated glucose leads to elevated insulin. Elevated insulin leads to excess body fat. Excess body fat leads to too much insulin in the blood, which equals insulin resistance. If only blood glucose levels could be reduced – that would put a halt to this circular pattern. How can this be done?

Removing starchy cereal grains, molasses, sugary treats, and testing hay for low levels of non-structural carbohydrates – all of these are important. But here’s another practice to consider: Adding psyllium husks to the horse’s daily diet will also reduce blood glucose.

The outer husk of the psyllium seed (an herb called plantago ovata) is rich in water-soluble fiber. It has long been used to help control sand colic by removing sand from the hindgut. But recent research has revealed its ability to lower blood glucose in horses. It is believed that the fiber slows down glucose absorption and therefore reduces insulin output from the pancreas.

Low sugar/starch diets, plenty of exercise, reduction of stress… All are great ways to help the overweight horse lose weight. And now we can add psyllium to the list! Adding 1/3 cup per meal will lower blood glucose and lower blood insulin, making weight loss easier and preventing obesity-related disorders.

Dr. Juliet Getty has taught and consulted on equine nutrition for more than 20 years. Her website offers helpful articles, a nutrition forum and a calendar of her events, including upcoming and past teleseminars to purchase and download. Her comprehensive reference book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, is available in hardcover and CD-ROM (pdf file) through her website or at Amazon.com. Sign up at www.gettyequinenutrition.com for her useful free monthly e-newsletter, “Forage for Thought.” Dr. Getty serves as a distinguished advisor to the Equine Sciences Academy, and she is also available for individual consultations. For permission to reprint this article in whole or in part, please contact Dr. Getty directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (970) 884-7187.

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