Molasses allergy

In horses, the term “molasses allergy” is sometimes used colloquially as a synonym for intolerances relating to sugar and grain. However, an allergy actually refers to an excessive, pathological defence reaction of the immune system to normally harmless environmental substances (allergens). A genuine allergy to molasses has not yet been identified in horses. So when someone refers to a “molasses allergy”, they usually mean conditions relating to energy metabolism or sugar/carbohydrate metabolism.

Very often, the underlying causes are being overweight (obesity) and/or conditions such as EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), Cushing’s (PPID) or PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy). As a result, sugar, molasses and also grain (as it contains starch) should be fed in as small a quantity as possible.