The Low Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) Pelleted Hay and Balancing Minerals are an integral part of a program to manage Cushings and Insulin Resistance in horses. Key areas of this program are:

• Management of the diet to include low NSC, (low sugar and starch) feed and balancing minerals
• Restriction or elimination of pasture grazing
• Veterinary care (including medications such as Pergolide for Cushings, if appropriate)
• Parasite control
• Exercise
• A good farrier program to address mechanical issues

The Mid Valley Milling Low NSC product includes:

1. Pelleted hay that is manufactured from low-NSC hay specifically selected to meet the standard of 10% or less NSC. No binders, grains or fillers are used.
2. A separately bagged mineral premix that minerally balances the hay used in the Low NSC pellets. This mineral premix is professionally formulated to conform to the specifications of the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance Group. Also feed plain white salt and Vitamin E in liquid form or human soft gelcaps.

The program can be augmented with concurrent feeding of additional items such as unmolassed beet pulp or ground flaxseed. For more information regarding Cushings and Insulin Resistance in horses, go to http://ecirhorse.com or http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group.

Shelf Life:

Low NSC Pelleted Hay:

• shelf life is 12 months or greater
• Mid Valley Milling Low NSC Pelleted Hay can be stored for extended periods of time if given dry storage out of direct sunlight. As the low NSC feed contains only sun-cured Eastern Washington hay, there are no added ingredients that can go rancid or turn sour.

Accompanying Custom Mineral Supplement:

• Under usual storage conditions, guarantee label potency up to 12 months from date of manufacture or through expiration date.

SBH&F/Mid Valley Milling Involvement

In May of 2006 Sterett Bros Hay & Feed merged operations with Mid Valley Milling. In the fall of 2002, Sterett Bros had been approached by the Pacific Northwest Cushings Group and asked to manufacture a specialty feed from hay that would fit the low NSC criteria, using no binders, fillers, grains or added ingredients - just wholesome, approved hay.

The process involves selection and sample gathering of potential hays, thorough analyses including sugars and starches, perusal and hay selection, formulation of the mineral premix to balance the selected hay, shipping hay to the plant, pelleting and bagging of the product, formulation and manufacturing of the custom premix. This balancing mineral premix is professionally formulated to conform to the specifications of the national Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance Group.

National Cushings and Insulin Resistance Group

Information about the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance group, their philosophy and program can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/.
We urge joining this group.