REHAB: Teff Hay

Teff hay is often promoted as a “safe” forage for horses that need a low-sugar, low-starch (low NSC) diet. For many metabolic horses—those prone to laminitis, insulin resistance, EMS, or PPID—this makes teff an attractive choice. But is teff hay always low in NSC? And what happens when it’s grown under drought stress?

The truth: while teff has a reputation for being lower in NSC than cool-season grasses, it’s not guaranteed—especially when environmental stressors like drought enter the picture.

Why Drought Conditions Matter

Teff is a warm-season (C4) grass, which means it typically does not store fructans like cool-season grasses. That’s one reason it often tests lower in NSC. But when teff is grown under drought stress, the plant’s metabolism changes:

• Sugar accumulation increases: When water is scarce, teff slows growth but still photosynthesizes, leading to a buildup of soluble sugars in the leaves and stems.

• Delayed maturity worsens the problem: Drought often forces farmers to delay cutting, meaning the crop may be harvested at a more mature stage with higher NSC.

• Variable outcomes: One cutting might be low in NSC, while the next—grown under more stress—might spike far higher.

In fact, forage specialists have warned that teff hay grown in drought conditions has tested well above the “safe” 10% NSC threshold, sometimes reaching 20% or more. This means horses with metabolic issues could be at risk if owners assume teff is always safe. (On Course Equine Nutrition, 2020)

What to Do If You Can’t Test Your Teff Hay

The gold standard is always to submit a hay sample for laboratory testing. That’s the only way to know the actual NSC content of the forage in your barn. But if you’re buying small amounts, don’t have access to a lab, or can’t get results back quickly, there’s a practical step you can take: soak the hay.

• Soaking reduces soluble sugars: Submerging hay in cold water for 30–60 minutes can significantly leach out water-soluble carbohydrates. (Oregon State Extension, 2019)

• Use fresh water each time: Always drain the soak water and feed the hay immediately to prevent fermentation and ingestion of NSC leeched.

• Know the trade-off: While soaking lowers NSC, it also removes some minerals (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium). Horses on soaked hay may need mineral supplementation.

Soaking doesn’t replace testing, but if you suspect your hay was grown under drought stress and you can’t verify NSC levels, it’s the safer path—especially for horses with metabolic vulnerabilities.

Key Takeaways

• Teff hay is not always low in NSC. Drought conditions, delayed harvest, and environmental stress can cause significant sugar accumulation.

• Test whenever possible. Lab analysis is the only way to know for sure.

• If you can’t test, soak. Soaking teff hay before feeding can help reduce the risk for insulin-resistant and laminitis-prone horses.

  
  

Bottom Line

Teff hay has a reputation as a low-NSC forage, but drought can change that picture quickly. Don’t rely on assumptions. If you can’t get a forage test, soaking becomes an essential step in making teff hay safer for your horse.