Feeding horses with insulin resistance (IR) or metabolic issues can feel overwhelming - especially with so many conflicting opinions online. One commonly repeated rule is: "No grains ever." But based on both research and real-world results, we believe there's more nuance to that story.
This blog explores why we recommend timothy pellets, alfalfa pellets, ViVet, and even whole oats as part of our feeding strategy for metabolically challenged horses, including those on our Lazy Horse Protocol.
Why Whole Oats?
Unlike processed grains, whole oats contain a meaningful amount of resistant starch. Resistant starch behaves more like fiber than sugar - it resists digestion in the small intestine and instead ferments in the hindgut, supporting beneficial gut flora and butyrate production.
Whole oats are also a great natural source of lysine, an essential amino acid critical for muscle development, immune function, and hormone production. For horses on restricted diets, getting high-quality, bioavailable lysine from clean sources like whole oats can be incredibly helpful.
Oats also contain moderate protein, making them a supportive energy and muscle maintenance option when paired with fiber-rich forage and balanced supplementation.
⚠️ It’s important to emphasize that we only recommend whole, unprocessed oats—not crimped or rolled oats. When oats are processed, their starch becomes more rapidly digestible, which can spike insulin levels. Whole oats retain their fibrous hull, slowing digestion and helping avoid sugar surges.
In humans and other mammals, resistant starch has been shown to:
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Improve insulin sensitivity
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Reduce blood sugar spikes
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Support a healthier gut microbiome
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Increase satiety and lower inflammation
While direct research on resistant starch in horses is still emerging, we do share similar hindgut fermentation processes. When oats are fed in their whole, unprocessed form, the starch is digested more slowly—and with far less metabolic impact than most people assume.
📊 What the Experts Say
Some progressive veterinarians and equine nutritionists have started re-examining the role of whole oats, especially for IR-prone horses who need:
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Clean energy without added fillers or binders
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A diet that supports microbial balance and motility
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Sustainable starch sources in moderation
Dr. Juliet Getty, an equine nutritionist known for her work on metabolic conditions, has suggested that whole oats in small amounts can be appropriate for certain IR horses, as part of a clean, controlled diet.
Meanwhile, the concept of resistant starch is gaining traction across veterinary and nutritional fields as a key element in regulating blood sugar naturally—even in species with metabolic dysfunction.
🚀 Our Real-World Experience
We’ve worked with many IR-prone horses over the years—Friesians, Iberians, Warmbloods, ponies, and more. And we’ve seen remarkable improvements when implementing a feeding plan that includes:
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Timothy pellets (low sugar, high fiber)
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Alfalfa pellets (protein, calcium, and buffer support)
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ViVet (comprehensive vitamin, mineral, electrolyte, and herbal support)
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Whole oats in small, measured amounts
Our recommended ratio is 1:1:1 of timothy pellets, alfalfa pellets, and whole oats, with ViVet mixed in to complete the daily nutritional profile.
Our horses have shown more stable energy, less bloat, better gut function, and in many cases, improved insulin sensitivity—without the behavioral crashes seen in high-sugar feeds.
Yes, it's controversial in some circles. But more vets and horse owners are beginning to realize that oats aren't the enemy they were made out to be. Like anything, it's about quality, form, and moderation.
⚠️ A Note of Caution
While we've had excellent results with this approach, we always recommend:
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Consulting with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian
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Monitoring insulin levels if your horse is diagnosed with EMS
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Making changes gradually and tracking your horse’s response
🔧 Summary: Our Recommended Base Diet for IR/Chunky Horses
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Timothy pellets
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Alfalfa pellets
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Whole oats in a 1:1:1 ratio with the above (if tolerated)
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ViVet for full-spectrum nutritional support
Combine this with the Chunky Horse Protocol for a foundational, gut-friendly, metabolically supportive plan.
