9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Struggling to keep an EMS or laminitisprone horse comfortable and lean through the UKs wet winters? This guide shares the safest lowsugar chaff picks and simple feeding steps to stabilise insulintarget under 5% sugar and under 10% starch, transition over 710 days, and keep total forage at 1.52% of bodyweight. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Low-WSC Chaff What To Do: Choose molasses-free chaff with under 5% sugar and under 10% starch (ideally under 5% each). Read the label for sugar, starch or WSC values. Why It Matters: Minimises insulin spikes and helps control calories for EMS/laminitis. Common Mistake: Trusting molasses-free without checking actual sugar/starch. Area: Forage Amounts What To Do: Feed total fibre at 1.52% of bodyweight daily from hay, chaff and suitable mashes. Use very lowenergy chaff (58.5 MJ/kg) to bulk out feeds. Why It Matters: Supports gut health and safe weight control. Common Mistake: Dropping below 1% bodyweight and triggering ulcers or rebound binges. Area: Slow Transition What To Do: Change chaff over 710 days: 25/75, then 50/50, then 75/25, monitoring droppings and appetite. Make only one change at a time. Why It Matters: Allows the hindgut to adapt and avoids digestive upsets. Common Mistake: Switching overnight or rushing multiple changes. Area: Weigh and Track What To Do: Weigh each scoop with a hanging scale and note the weight; use a weigh tape weekly to adjust rations. Why It Matters: Accurate measuring prevents plateaus and overfeeding. Common Mistake: Guessing scoop sizes or eyeballing condition. Area: Winter Management What To Do: In UK winters, use lowenergy chaff to extend chew time without calories, add water if dusty, and keep 2030 mins daily exercise. Why It Matters: Limited turnout and damp stables raise EMS and respiratory risks. Common Mistake: Cutting work while increasing bucket feed or ignoring dust. Area: Fussy Feeders What To Do: Choose palatable lowsugar chaffs with herbs or use soaked Timothy cubes; mix with warm water to boost acceptance. Why It Matters: Maintains intake and hydration without extra sugars. Common Mistake: Adding molasses or highsugar mixes to tempt eating. Area: Complete Nutrition What To Do: Pair lowsugar chaff with a lowcalorie balancer; add fibre mashes (e.g., SpeediBeet/Timothy cubes) and hoof support if needed. Keep treats tiny and labelchecked. Why It Matters: Covers vitamins, minerals and amino acids without sugar/starch spikes. Common Mistake: Relying on chaff alone or using cerealbased mixes. Area: Forage Sugars What To Do: Analyse hay/haylage for WSC and soak if needed; use slowfeeder nets and multiple small piles to stretch eating time. Why It Matters: Controlling total diet WSC is more effective than tweaking the bucket alone. Common Mistake: Ignoring forage sugars while focusing only on bucket feed. In This Guide What EMS and laminitis-prone horses need from chaff The best low-sugar chaffs in the UK right now How to feed and transition chaff safely Seasonal management: making chaff work through UK winters Palatable choices for fussy feeders without extra calories Build the full low-sugar bucket: balancers, mashes and extras Common mistakes to avoid with low-sugar chaff Choosing the right chaff is one of the simplest, most effective ways to support horses with EMS or laminitis especially through the UKs wet winters and short grazing seasons. Get the sugar and starch right, and youll stabilise insulin, control calories, and keep fibre intake spot on.Key takeaway: For EMS or laminitisprone horses and ponies, feed a molassesfree chaff with under 5% sugar and under 10% starch (ideally under 5% for chaff), introduced over 710 days, and keep total daily forage at 1.52% of bodyweight.What EMS and laminitis-prone horses need from chaffEMS and laminitis-prone horses need molasses-free chaff with sugar under 5% and starch under 10% (ideally under 5%) to limit insulin spikes and keep calories low. BETA guidance supports choosing low sugar/starch feeds with a combined value under 10% for laminitis control.Chaff is your fibre-first foundation. For good doers and horses prone to insulin dysregulation, choose chaffs that are: Molasses-free and low in water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) High in fibre (typically 3035%) to extend chew time and slow intake Lower energy (58.5 MJ/kg) to help maintain or reduce weightThis is where the detail matters. Options like Mollichaff Light Molasses Free deliver just 1.8% sugar and 3.9% starch (7.5 MJ/kg), while Dengie HiFi Molasses Free provides 2.5% naturally occurring sugar with 3.55% WSC and 8.5 MJ/kg digestible energy. For very good doers, ultralow energy chaffs around 5 MJ/kg can be ideal to bulk out feeds without adding calories.Quick tip: If you can, get a forage analysis for your hay/haylage controlling the total diet WSC is more effective than tweaking the bucket alone.The best low-sugar chaffs in the UK right nowThe safest chaffs for EMS are molassesfree mixes with sugar under 5% and starch under 10%, such as Mollichaff Light, Dengie HiFi Molasses Free, Honeychop Lite & Healthy, and Dengie Meadow Lite with Herbs. Mollichaff Light Molasses Free 1.8% sugar, 3.9% starch, 7.5 MJ/kg, 32% fibre, 8% oil, 4.5% protein. RRP 8.79 for 12.5kg. Excellent for EMS/laminitis and overweight horses needing ultralow sugar/starch with plenty of fibre. Dengie HiFi Molasses Free 2.5% naturally occurring sugar, 3.55% WSC, 8.5 MJ/kg digestible energy, 10% protein, 35% fibre, 6.5% oil. A highly digestible, palatable, lowWSC option for controlled calories. Honeychop Lite & Healthy 3.5% sugar, 0.5% starch, approx. 8 MJ/kg. RRP 16 for 15kg. Herbs, cinnamon and added oils make it a good choice for fussy eaters without piling on calories. Dengie Meadow Lite with Herbs 3% sugar, 0.5% starch, 5 MJ/kg. RRP 14.99 for 15kg. Ideal for very good doers; ultralow energy to bulk out the bucket. Simple System HayCare (Timothy cubes) Combined starch and sugar under 10%. Soaks to a soft mash; handy for fussy feeders and as a lowcalorie hay replacer alongside forage. SPILLERS Fibre Lite Molasses Free is a low-calorie fibre which is great for bulking out the bucket feed and extending eating time recommend for good doers or those concerned about additional calories. SPILLERS nutrition team My top 3 chaffs that fit all the criteria for laminitic horses and ponies and those with EMS are: Dengie HiFi Molasses Free, Baileys Light Chaff, TopSpec Riding Equine Vets Honeychop Lite & Healthy, free from molasses is a nonheating low sugar fibre feed suitable for those prone to laminitis. HoneychopValue matters too. With prices typically 816 per 1215kg bag, Mollichaff Lights RRP of 8.79/12.5kg is a budgetfriendly staple many UK yards can stock yearround.How to feed and transition chaff safelyIntroduce any new chaff gradually over 710 days, aim for total daily forage of 1.52% of bodyweight, and soak if dusty to support respiratory comfort.Heres a simple plan that works: Switch slowly: Start at 25% new chaff/75% current forage for 23 days, then 50/50, then 75/25, watching droppings and appetite. Portion right: Good doer ponies often do well on 23kg/day of lowsugar chaff split between meals as a partial hay replacer, with adlib lowWSC hay if weight allows. Winter respiratory care: If your chaff is dusty or youre feeding indoors, add a splash of water or soak suitable cubes to reduce airborne particles useful in damp, enclosed UK stables. Complete the nutrition: Pair your lowsugar chaff with a lowcalorie balancer so you dont skimp on vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Know the limits: Chaff is a partial hay replacer. Products like SPILLERS Happy Hoof Molasses Free can be fed up to around 4kg/day, but always ensure total fibre (hay + chaff + mashes) hits 1.52% of bodyweight.Pro tip: Use a weigh tape and a small hanging scale for your scoop guessing leads to plateaus. Our customers often report the biggest breakthroughs once they start weighing every feed.Seasonal management: making chaff work through UK wintersIn UK winters with limited grass and wet weather, lowcalorie chaff maintains chew time and gut health without adding energy, helping prevent EMS flareups when turnout is restricted.From October to March many horses see shorter days, fewer hacks, and far less grass. Thats when a 58.5 MJ/kg, molassesfree chaff helps you keep the bucket satisfying without overfeeding calories. Balance this with appropriate rugging to keep horses comfortable and moving; if you need to refresh kit, explore our range of winter turnout rugs for reliable, weatherproof options.Exercise is essential for insulin sensitivity. Keep hacking safely on dull afternoons with a secure hat and highvisibility gear: see our curated riding helmets and rider hivis. Even 2030 minutes of purposeful inhand walking most days supports metabolism; pair it with consistent, weighed forage to maintain momentum.Quick tip: If haylage is your only option at livery, soak it and lean harder on very lowWSC chaff (e.g., Dengie Meadow Lite with Herbs at 3% sugar/0.5% starch) to keep the days combined sugars under control.Palatable choices for fussy feeders without extra caloriesFor fussy eaters, use palatable, lowsugar options like Honeychop Lite & Healthy (3.5% sugar, herbs and cinnamon) or soak Timothy cubes (Simple System HayCare) to a soft mash.Horses with a sweet tooth often reject plain straw or unflavoured chaffs. Honeychop Lite & Healthy adds herbs, cinnamon and a drizzle of oils without spiking sugar (3.5% sugar, 0.5% starch). For older mouths or picky ponies, Simple System HayCare soaks to a mash with combined starch + sugar under 10% ideal when you need moisture, warmth, and palatability in winter.Pro tip: Warm water transforms acceptance on cold days. Mix a warm mash and thread in your balancer so nothing is left in the bucket.Build the full low-sugar bucket: balancers, mashes and extrasEMS horses need a lowcalorie balancer plus fibre mashes (not cereal mixes) alongside a lowsugar chaff to complete nutrition without adding sugars.Smart combinations that work: Lowcal balancer: Options like SPILLERS Lite & Lean or TopSpec AntiLam provide vitamins, minerals and amino acids without glucose spikes. Youll find a wide choice of balancers and hoof support under our supplements. Fibre mashes: SpeediBeet and Timothybased cubes such as Simple System HayCare add warm, soakable fibre to extend eating time and boost hydration. Hoof health: For laminitis recovery and hoof growth, consider a biotinrich supplement from trusted brands such as NAF, always alongside correct trimming and weight control. Treats (used wisely): Keep rewards tiny and labelchecked. Explore our selection of horse treats and pick lowsugar options sparingly for training only. Budget savers: Watching costs? Keep an eye on our Secret Tack Room clearance for yard essentials that make weighing and feeding easier.Quick tip: Slowfeeder haynets, multiple small hay piles, and a chaffheavy bucket at night help stretch limited forage while protecting the gut and mind.Common mistakes to avoid with low-sugar chaffThe biggest pitfalls are choosing by label claims alone, overrestricting forage, and switching too fast. Molassesfree low WSC: Always check actual sugar and starch. For EMS, target sugar under 5% and starch under 10% (ideally under 5% for chaff). Dengie HiFi Molasses Free and Mollichaff Light clearly list values. Overrestricting forage: Going below 1% of bodyweight risks ulcers, stereotypies, and rebound binges. Stay at 1.52% and use very lowenergy chaff (58 MJ/kg) to bulk out meals. Ignoring weigh scales: Scoops vary wildly. Weigh a level scoop of your chaff and note it on the feed room wall. Rushing the change: New chaff needs 710 days to avoid digestive upsets, especially in winter when routines are tighter. Straw pitfalls: Avoid chemically treated straw chaffs; they can increase colic or respiratory risk. If you use straw, choose untreated/organic sources and mix with grassbased or alfalfafree chaffs.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend starting with one proven lowWSC chaff, adding a balancer, and committing to weekly weight checks simple, sustainable, effective.FAQsWhat chaff is safest for EMS horses?The safest options are molassesfree chaffs with sugar under 5% and starch under 10% (ideally under 5% for chaff). Vetapproved choices include Dengie HiFi Molasses Free (2.5% sugar; 3.55% WSC) and Mollichaff Light Molasses Free (1.8% sugar; 3.9% starch), both designed to minimise insulin response. See guidance from Riding Equine Vets.How do I tempt a fussy eater without adding calories?Use flavour without sugar: Honeychop Lite & Healthy (3.5% sugar; 0.5% starch) adds herbs, cinnamon and oils, while Simple System HayCare (Timothy cubes; starch + sugar under 10%) soaks to a warm mash many horses love. Warm water and smaller, more frequent meals help.Is molassesfree chaff enough for laminitisprone ponies?Yes if sugar and starch are genuinely low. Aim for under 510% combined (for chaffs, under 5% sugar and under 5% starch is a gold standard). Dengie Meadow Lite with Herbs (3% sugar; 0.5% starch) is a strong example. Add a balancer and consider hoof support such as biotin from brands like NAF.Can I use chaff as a full hay replacement in winter?Use chaff as a partial replacer only. Some products (e.g., SPILLERS Happy Hoof Molasses Free) can be fed up to around 4kg/day, but your horse still needs total fibre of 1.52% bodyweight from hay, chaff, and suitable mashes combined.Whats the cheapest low-sugar chaff option in the UK?Mollichaff Light Molasses Free is a budget standout at RRP 8.79 for 12.5kg, with ultralow sugar (1.8%) and starch (3.9%) suitable for EMS and laminitis management.Does UK weather affect which chaff I choose?Yes. In wet, enclosed winter stables, a dustfree or soakable option like Dengie HiFi Molasses Free supports respiratory comfort. Yearround, choose lowWSC chaffs to account for short grazing seasons and fluctuating turnout.How should I monitor progress on a new chaff?Weigh feeds, track bodyweight weekly with a tape, and assess fat pads (crest, shoulders, tailhead). Adjust total forage to 1.52% bodyweight and pair with daily movement even short inhand walks to keep insulin in check. 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