I N C E P T I O N A I

2025 Guide: Top 5 Low Glycemic Performance Feeds in the United States — Expert-Reviewed Options for Insulin-Sensitive & Metabolic Horses (Which One Fits Your Horse?)

Low non structural carbohydrate (NSC) diets that provide sustained energy through fats and fiber for metabolic or insulin sensitive horses. Designed to reduce spikes in blood sugar while still delivering performance-suitable calories, electrolytes and nutrient balance. This category appeals to owners and trainers managing equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or laminitis-prone animals who still require reliable work or competition energy. Buyers in the USA prioritize clear NSC labeling, locally available formulations, consistent palatability in cold climates, balanced vitamin/mineral profiles, and added gut or gastric support. They also look for feeds that combine low sugar/starch with high-quality fat and fermentable fiber to maintain weight, support recovery and deliver steady energy across training sessions.

Top Picks Summary

  1. Purina Outlast Gastric Support Supplement
  2. Mad Barn Visceral+
  3. Brooks Fibre O'Plus
  4. Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance
  5. Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health
1
BEST FOR GASTRIC SUPPORT

Purina Outlast Gastric Support Supplement

Purina Outlast Gastric Support Supplement
🏠 Local Product

Purina Outlast is positioned as a best-in-class gastric support supplement that helps horses maintain stable blood sugar response by buffering gastric acidity and supporting forage-based, low-NSC feeding programs. Its strengths are broad clinical backing, wide distribution and competitive pricing, making it an easy-to-adopt, cost-effective complement to low glycemic performance feeds compared with more specialized or research-heavy products on this list. Because it targets gastric comfort rather than replacing concentrates, it pairs well with low-starch rations like Masterfeeds ProElite or Brooks Fibre O'Plus to reduce metabolic and behavioral spike risks.

4.3
  • Buffers stomach pH — vet-approved

  • Slow-release energy — endurance buddy

  • Buffers stomach pH — vet-approved

  • Slow-release energy — endurance buddy

Review Summary

86%

"Most users report a noticeable reduction in gastric discomfort and improved appetite with regular use, though some see only modest benefit and a few comment on the cost."

  • Palatable blend — pony-pleaser wink

  • Pelleted gastric supplement formulated to support stomach mucosa and reduce gastric stress.

  • Palatable blend — pony-pleaser wink

  • Pelleted gastric supplement formulated to support stomach mucosa and reduce gastric stress.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Purina Outlast is positioned as a best-in-class gastric support supplement that helps horses maintain stable blood sugar response by buffering gastric acidity and supporting forage-based, low-NSC feeding programs. Its strengths are broad clinical backing, wide distribution and competitive pricing, making it an easy-to-adopt, cost-effective complement to low glycemic performance feeds compared with more specialized or research-heavy products on this list. Because it targets gastric comfort rather than replacing concentrates, it pairs well with low-starch rations like Masterfeeds ProElite or Brooks Fibre O'Plus to reduce metabolic and behavioral spike risks.

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$80-140 USD

2
BEST COMPREHENSIVE GUT SUPPLEMENT

Mad Barn Visceral+

Mad Barn

Mad Barn Visceral+ is a research-driven, metabolically focused supplement designed to optimize the visceral microbiome and support insulin-resistant or easy-keeper performance horses on low glycemic programs. Technically advanced and formulated from lab-backed ingredients, it often carries a premium price but offers targeted microbiome and metabolic benefits that go beyond general gastric buffering or simple fiber-based feeds. Compared with broader-feed solutions such as Brooks Fibre O'Plus or Masterfeeds ProElite, Visceral+ is ideal when specific metabolic modulation and diagnostic-informed feeding are priorities.

4.5
  • Supports hindgut microbiome — lab-smart

  • Improves fermentation balance — marathon-ready

  • Supports hindgut microbiome — lab-smart

  • Improves fermentation balance — marathon-ready

Review Summary

89%

"Customers commonly note clearer digestion, firmer stools and improved overall gut comfort after consistent use; reviewers praise ingredient transparency but some cite a slow onset and premium price."

  • Low-glycemic formula — sugar-shy superstar

  • Broad-spectrum gut support formula targeting hindgut function with prebiotic components.

  • Low-glycemic formula — sugar-shy superstar

  • Broad-spectrum gut support formula targeting hindgut function with prebiotic components.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Mad Barn Visceral+ is a research-driven, metabolically focused supplement designed to optimize the visceral microbiome and support insulin-resistant or easy-keeper performance horses on low glycemic programs. Technically advanced and formulated from lab-backed ingredients, it often carries a premium price but offers targeted microbiome and metabolic benefits that go beyond general gastric buffering or simple fiber-based feeds. Compared with broader-feed solutions such as Brooks Fibre O'Plus or Masterfeeds ProElite, Visceral+ is ideal when specific metabolic modulation and diagnostic-informed feeding are priorities.

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$100-180 USD

3
BEST LOW-STARCH FIBRE BOOST

Brooks Fibre O'Plus

Brooks Fibre O'Plus

Brooks Fibre O'Plus is a high-fiber, low-NSC feed engineered to provide steady, slow-release energy for performance horses without starch-induced glycemic spikes, making it a practical and economical foundation for low glycemic feeding programs. Its technical advantage is a carefully balanced blend of soluble and insoluble fibers that support hindgut fermentation and temperament stability while costing less than many specialty supplements and microbiome-targeted products. In comparison to concentrated supplements like Purina Outlast or Buckeye EQ8, Brooks offers a straightforward, feed-based approach for handlers seeking affordability and predictable low glycemic performance.

4.2
  • High fermentable fiber — gut-happy crunch

  • Low starch profile — calm competitor

  • High fermentable fiber — gut-happy crunch

  • Low starch profile — calm competitor

Review Summary

84%

"Owners appreciate the low-starch, high-fiber formulation for easy keepers and metabolic horses, reporting good weight maintenance and condition, while a minority mention dust or palatability issues for picky eaters."

  • Consistent texture — nibble-friendly quirk

  • High-fibre, low-starch product designed to increase digestible fibre without raising glycemic load.

  • Consistent texture — nibble-friendly quirk

  • High-fibre, low-starch product designed to increase digestible fibre without raising glycemic load.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Brooks Fibre O'Plus is a high-fiber, low-NSC feed engineered to provide steady, slow-release energy for performance horses without starch-induced glycemic spikes, making it a practical and economical foundation for low glycemic feeding programs. Its technical advantage is a carefully balanced blend of soluble and insoluble fibers that support hindgut fermentation and temperament stability while costing less than many specialty supplements and microbiome-targeted products. In comparison to concentrated supplements like Purina Outlast or Buckeye EQ8, Brooks offers a straightforward, feed-based approach for handlers seeking affordability and predictable low glycemic performance.

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$60-120 USD

4
BEST LOW-GLYCEMIC PERFORMANCE FEED

Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance

Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance

Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance is a low-starch performance concentrate that replaces starch with fat and fiber to deliver sustained energy for competition without driving blood glucose spikes. It provides a complete vitamin and mineral package at a price point that is competitive in markets where Masterfeeds is distributed, offering a practical alternative to stacking multiple supplements while still achieving performance energy goals. Versus microbiome-centric products such as EQ8 or Visceral+, ProElite emphasizes nutrient completeness and predictable on-track performance over targeted gut modulation.

4.1
  • Low-starch energy — competitive spark

  • High-quality protein — muscle-building wink

  • Low-starch energy — competitive spark

  • High-quality protein — muscle-building wink

Review Summary

82%

"Riders value the consistent, low-starch energy for performance horses and report steadier behavior and condition, but several users note higher cost and occasional supply/availability issues."

  • Balanced electrolytes — sweat-proof charm

  • Complete performance feed formulated to deliver controlled energy from fibre and fat rather than starch.

  • Balanced electrolytes — sweat-proof charm

  • Complete performance feed formulated to deliver controlled energy from fibre and fat rather than starch.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance is a low-starch performance concentrate that replaces starch with fat and fiber to deliver sustained energy for competition without driving blood glucose spikes. It provides a complete vitamin and mineral package at a price point that is competitive in markets where Masterfeeds is distributed, offering a practical alternative to stacking multiple supplements while still achieving performance energy goals. Versus microbiome-centric products such as EQ8 or Visceral+, ProElite emphasizes nutrient completeness and predictable on-track performance over targeted gut modulation.

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$70-130 USD

5
BEST MICROBIOME SUPPORT

Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health

Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health
🏠 Local Product

Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health is a market-leading gut-targeted product combining multi-strain probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes to optimize hindgut fermentation and support low glycemic energy production from fiber. Its technical differentiation is a comprehensive microbiome-focused formulation intended to improve fiber digestion efficiency and metabolic stability, which can justify a higher upfront cost for programs prioritizing long-term digestive resilience. Compared with simpler fiber feeds or generic gastric buffers, EQ8 is best for trainers seeking an advanced, science-backed approach to gut health within a low glycemic feeding strategy.

4.6
  • Clinically formulated gut support — science-sassy

  • Reduces gastric acidity — calm-as-a-cloud

  • Clinically formulated gut support — science-sassy

  • Reduces gastric acidity — calm-as-a-cloud

Review Summary

91%

"Highly rated for improving digestive health—many users report better manure quality, fewer gastric episodes and overall gut comfort; a few reviewers mention the price and that results can take weeks."

  • Targets hindgut balance — microbiome maestro

  • Targeted gut-health supplement combining probiotics and prebiotic components to support microbiome balance.

  • Targets hindgut balance — microbiome maestro

  • Targeted gut-health supplement combining probiotics and prebiotic components to support microbiome balance.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health is a market-leading gut-targeted product combining multi-strain probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes to optimize hindgut fermentation and support low glycemic energy production from fiber. Its technical differentiation is a comprehensive microbiome-focused formulation intended to improve fiber digestion efficiency and metabolic stability, which can justify a higher upfront cost for programs prioritizing long-term digestive resilience. Compared with simpler fiber feeds or generic gastric buffers, EQ8 is best for trainers seeking an advanced, science-backed approach to gut health within a low glycemic feeding strategy.

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$90-170 USD

What Research and Veterinary Guidance Say About Low-NSC Diets

Scientific and clinical studies support the core idea behind low-NSC performance feeds: reducing readily digestible sugars and starches lowers post-prandial glucose and insulin responses, which can reduce laminitis risk and improve metabolic stability. Controlled trials and clinical reports show that replacing starch with digestible fats and fermentable fiber supplies sustained calories without triggering sharp blood sugar spikes. Research also emphasizes the importance of balanced electrolytes, essential amino acids and targeted gut or gastric support to maintain athletic performance and digestive health in insulin-sensitive horses.

Low NSC intake consistently produces lower post-meal glucose and insulin peaks in horses, a key factor in managing insulin resistance and laminitis risk.

Dietary fats provide dense, slow-release energy and spare muscle glycogen during moderate exercise when starch is limited.

Fermentable fiber supports hindgut microbe populations, producing volatile fatty acids used as long-term fuel without causing rapid glycemic rises.

Probiotics, prebiotics and specific gut-health supplements can complement low-NSC feeds to reduce digestive upset when changing rations.

Veterinary nutrition guidance recommends combining low-NSC feeds with forage testing, body-condition monitoring and individualized supplementation for best outcomes.

Across USA, low glycemic performance feeds let riders manage metabolic and insulin-sensitive horses without sacrificing energy or nutrient balance. The five featured options — Purina Outlast Gastric Support Supplement, Mad Barn Visceral+, Brooks Fibre O'Plus, Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance, and Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 Gut Health — cover a range of approaches from targeted gastric buffering to full low-starch performance formulas and advanced gut-support blends. For many American riders seeking a performance-ready, widely available low-NSC solution, Masterfeeds ProElite Low Starch Performance stands out as the most practical choice due to its balance of calories, electrolyte profile and local distribution; however Purina Outlast, Mad Barn Visceral+, Brooks Fibre O'Plus and Buckeye Nutrition EQ8 each offer distinct benefits depending on your horse’s needs. I hope you found what you were looking for — refine or expand your search using the site search to compare ingredient panels, NSC values and local availability.