✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated June 2026
HYGAIN ZERO ultra-low starch low NSC complete horse feed bag
Hygain Feeds"Feeding Champions Since 1983" Zero by Hygain Feeds, has one of the lowest NSC in the horse world!! Developed by experienced horse owner and competitor, Greg Manley, living in Australia, Hygain offers one of the most nutrient dense feeds in the horse world.
What Makes Hygain® Feeds Different?
In 1983 Greg Manley, a horse owner and competitor living in Australia, was dissatisfied with the quality and nutritional standards of available feeds. He started mixing his own nutritionally-balanced feed formulas. The word spread, and Hygain® Feeds was born when Greg established a dedicated equine feed mill and manufacturing facility in the state of Victoria, the heart of Australia’s equine industry. Looking confidently to the future with a solid foundation and united team, Hygain® Feeds is progressively extending its global market share and quickly gaining popularity in America. Hygain® continues evolving its product line, applying solid nutritional research to equine diets and meeting the demands of an ever-changing world.
Your Horse's Feed Is Vital To Its Well-being and Performance!
Not all feeds are the same—or even close. All horses need the right nutritional support to overcome internal difficulties. But if your horse is prone to laminitis, Cushing syndrome, equine metabolic syndrome, tying up syndrome, or insulin resistance, you need to take extra special care when feeding.“Not feeding grain” just isn’t enough. Your horse needs the extra zinc, vitamins E and A, and biotin found in Hygain® feeds.
What is Sweet Lupin?
Sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) is a legume grown primarily in Australia. It is naturally high in protein and fiber and low in starch. Sweet lupin is the superstar of Hygain® feeds and the main reason Zero’s starch content is so low.
Is Hygain® Zero really one of the lowest-starch feeds in America?
Of the major feeds available today, Hygain® Zero is, hands-down, the lowest-starch feed in America! Coupled with its superior nutritional support for horses prone to laminitis, Cushing syndrome, equine metabolic syndrome, tying up syndrome, and insulin resistance, low starch content makes Zero a friend to horses and their loving owners. Your horse will appreciate a feed specially designed to let it enjoy hay and grain while providing specialized nutritional support for a return to health.
What Are Other LOW Starch Feeds Offered by Hygain?
So glad you asked!!!
Hygain Munga: Hygain® Munga® Ultra-Low Starch™ is a cereal grain-free textured feed that is low NSC (13%) and is formulated for horses in work. Munga® is a fully fortified feed that can be fed on its own, or it may be used as a topper with other Hygain® feeds to promote muscle development.
Hygain Meta Safe: Hygain® Meta Safe® Ultra-Low Starch™ is a soy free, cereal grain-free ration balancer pellet that provides a complete blend of daily nutrients at a low feeding rate. With an NSC content of 6.5%, Meta Safe® is ideal for horses and ponies with specific dietary needs. As an added benefit, Meta Safe® contains Bonafide®, a bioavailable source of vitamins K1 and K2 to support optimal bone density and strength.
Hygain Balanced: Hygain® Balanced® is a pelleted ration balancer that delivers optimal daily levels of nutrients at a low feeding rate, and is suitable for a wide range of horses. Balanced® is ideal for easy keepers, horses that thrive on a forage-only diet, breeding and growing horses, or those that are not meeting nutrient requirements from their current diet. At an average feeding rate of just 1-2 lbs. per day, Balanced® is an economical option to meet your horse’s nutrient needs.
My Horse Is Prone To Tying UP Syndrome. Can Hygain® Help?
Yes! Scientifically formulated Hygain® Release with soy-free, non-oat micronized sweet feed provides the fuel and essential nutrients needed for optimum performance in horses prone to tying up syndrome and other muscle disorders.
Complete micronized sweet feed for improved digestion.
Bio-available selenium to help your horse's muscle metabolism.
Probiotics to support a healthy gut and vitamin C for immune function.
Biotin for rapid hoof development.
Natural vitamin E for antioxidant, circulatory, and cardiovascular functions.
Bio-available chromium to lower lactic acid levels.
Pure rice bran oil to maximize absorption and feed efficiency for muscle building.
Are Hygain® Feeds Good For Both Performance and Backyard Horses?
Absolutely Yes! Hygain® offers a variety of well-designed feeds to support any horse’s health and well-being. They are the best feeds on the market for horses of all ages and performance levels.
Hygain® TRU Care is a popular extruded feed for horses with specific nutritional requirements due to age, body condition, or change in work status. TRU Care is formulated with higher protein, fat, and soluble fibers, and a dense vitamin and mineral concentration to give your horse the essential nutrients to maintain body condition and general well-being.
Hygain® Showtorque offers topline building at its best! Its low-dose, high-fat, cereal-grain-free formula provides sensible energy through slow-release sources, combined with essential amino acids and bio-available antioxidants for muscle tissue repair and to help manage the stresses of training and competition. Showtorque promotes lean muscle mass development and enhances hoof growth and coat shine.
Hygain® Senior is a palatable, soy-free, non-oat micronized sweet feed for mature horses. Senior provides the right amount of digestible energy with soluble fiber, quality protein, and balanced levels of vitamins and minerals for optimal health and vitality. With Senior, your mature horse gets the benefit of natural vitamin E for antioxidant, circulatory, and cardiovascular functions; prebiotics for a healthy gut and immune function; pure rice bran oil for absorption and feed efficiency for muscle building; bio-available selenium for muscle metabolism; and biotin for rapid hoof development.
Hygain® TRU Gain is a safe, high-fat, and slow-release supplement. As a highly effective cool energy source, TRU Gain provides your horse with the bio-available vitamin E and selenium it needs. TRU Gain’s increased energy density rapidly boosts your horse’s body condition and gives performance horses needed energy. Cool energy at its best!
Hygain® Release Hygain® Release® is a soy-free, micronized textured feed formulated to provide the fuel and essential nutrients needed for optimum performance. Release® contains chelated minerals, natural vitamin E, and many other highly bioavailable nutrients to best support equine athletes and hard keepers.
What does InfoHorse.com Say About Hygain® Feeds?
Says Ann Pruitt, Director of InfoHorse.com:I have a beautiful Morgan mare, "Sugar". Even though she has no pain, is ridden every week, and is strikingly beautiful, she struggles with insulin resistance and weight and is borderline laminitic. It was heartache. Our other horses get to eat normally but poor Sugar’s diet is greatly restricted, and she only gets five minutes of pasture time a day. When I discovered the Hygain feed, I was shocked to see that it’s so low in starch and yet so nutritious! Sugar loves it. Best of all, she dropped a little weight and is looking even better than ever. I plan to keep my wonderful little mare on Zero for the rest of her life. Even my shoer was stunned when he read the ingredients on the empty Hygain feed bag and took it to show other clients. Thank you, Hygain! Where Can I Order Hygain® Feeds? Ask at your local feed store; Hygain ® is spreading fast. If they don’t have Hygain® feeds, ask them to carry them! Alternately, you can go to Chewy.com and order directly-- it will be delivered to your door! If you order two bags on Chewy.com,shipping is Free! You can also find us at Amazon! See why many champions count on Hygain®—it’s just that good. Buy Hygain® today to help your horses be and feel the best they can every day! HYGAIN Zero ultra-low starch low NSC complete horse feed bag
What is HYGAIN® Zero® and why does its NSC matter?
HYGAIN® Zero® is an innovative pelleted complete feed engineered to carry one of the lowest sugar and starch loads of any complete feed on the market — less than 5.5% NSC and less than 1.5% starch. Instead of cereal grains, it draws its energy from soluble fibre (35%), giving horses a slow-release, "cool" calorie source rather than the rapid glucose spike that grain produces. It is fully fortified with vitamins and chelated minerals, so a horse on a restricted diet still receives a balanced ration, not just empty bulk.
HYGAIN Zero grain-free fortified pelleted horse feed product
Who makes HYGAIN and what is the company's story?
Hygain was founded in 1983 by Greg Manley, a horse owner and competitor in Australia who was dissatisfied with the quality and nutritional standards of the feeds available to him. He began mixing nutritionally balanced formulas for his own horses and others in his local area, and word-of-mouth demand grew so fast that it outstripped the one-man operation and led to a dedicated equine feed mill south-east of Melbourne. More than four decades on, Hygain has grown into one of Australia's largest equine nutrition businesses under the banner "Feeding Champions Since 1983."
HYGAIN Zero low starch low sugar horse feed pellets detail
What ingredients go into Zero® and how is it manufactured?
Zero® is grain-free and soy-free, built from protein meals, legume hulls, canola oil and Hygain RBO® rice bran oil, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium oxide and salt, plus the Hygain® Vitamin and Mineral Premix with heat-stable vitamins and chelated mineral proteinates, sodium zeolite, biotin and prebiotics. The feed is produced in an equine-only mill under Haccp-certified processes and Feedsafe® quality assurance, using only certified ingredients and the latest equine nutrition research. Biotin is included specifically to support hoof and coat condition.
HYGAIN Zero low NSC feature badge for horse feed
How does Zero® support metabolic and digestive health?
Research links high-NSC, high-starch and high-sugar diets to conditions such as Cushing's Disease, Laminitis, Tying-Up, Pssm, Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Zero® was developed to support the specialised dietary needs of horses and ponies with those conditions or with a grain intolerance, delivering a low glycaemic index energy source. Added prebiotics help maintain hindgut balance and a strong immune system, while the high soluble-fibre base keeps the digestive tract working steadily — qualities that also make it useful as a calm, ulcer-safe ration for excitable performance horses.
Who is Zero® for, and how is it fed? Zero® is an ideal choice for horses and ponies that need a low-starch diet, are sensitive to soy or cereal grains, or need a cool source of energy — from laminitis-prone ponies to barrel horses that get "hot" on grain. Hygain recommends introducing it gradually over 7 to 14 days, feeding by weight rather than volume, providing a minimum of 1.5% of body weight daily as roughage, and feeding "little and often" with constant access to clean water. Always make ration changes slowly and consult an equine nutritionist before adding extra vitamins or minerals.
Where can you buy Hygain Zero® in the United States?
The Hygain range is distributed in the United States by Global Equine Nutrition, Inc., led by long-standing USA Director David Snodgrass. Zero® is sold in a 44-lb bag through brick-and-mortar retailers across the country, online at Chewy.com, and through HygainFeeds.com, which carries a "Where to Buy" retailer locator. The broader Hygain line includes Showtorque, Ice, Tru Care, Tru Gain, RBO® and breeding feeds for owners who want to keep their whole program on one brand.
Who is Hygain Feeds — and what's the company history?
Per Hygain® Feeds: in 1983, Greg Manley, an Australian horse owner and competitor, was dissatisfied with the quality and nutritional standards of available feeds. He started mixing his own nutritionally-balanced feed formulas. Per the company: "The word spread, and Hygain® Feeds was born when Greg established a dedicated equine feed mill and manufacturing facility in the state of Victoria, the heart of Australia's equine industry."
Tagline: "Feeding Champions Since 1983."
What's Hygain ZERO — and what makes it the lowest-starch feed in America?
Per Hygain®: ZERO has one of the lowest NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) in the horse world. Per the company: "Of the major feeds available today, Hygain® ZERO is, hands-down, the lowest-starch feed in America."
The secret: Sweet Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), a legume grown primarily in Australia. Per Hygain: naturally high in protein and fiber, low in starch. Sweet lupin is the superstar of Hygain feeds and the main reason ZERO's starch content is so low.
Which Hygain feeds support metabolic / laminitis-prone horses?
Per Hygain®, low-starch / metabolic-friendly options:
Hygain ZERO — lowest-starch feed for horses prone to laminitis, Cushing syndrome, equine metabolic syndrome, tying-up syndrome, insulin resistance
Hygain Munga® Ultra-Low Starch™ — cereal-grain-free textured feed, NSC 13%, fully fortified, can be fed alone or as topper for muscle development
Hygain Meta Safe® Ultra-Low Starch™ — soy-free, cereal-grain-free ration balancer pellet, NSC 6.5%, contains Bonafide® (bioavailable vitamins K1 and K2 for bone density)
What about horses prone to tying-up syndrome — and what's Hygain RELEASE?
Per Hygain®: Hygain® RELEASE is scientifically formulated soy-free, non-oat micronized sweet feed for horses with tying-up syndrome and other muscle disorders. Specs:
Complete micronized sweet feed for improved digestion
Bio-available selenium for muscle metabolism
Probiotics for healthy gut + Vitamin C for immune function
Biotin for hoof development
Natural Vitamin E — antioxidant, circulatory, cardiovascular
Bio-available chromium to lower lactic acid levels
Pure rice bran oil for muscle building
What about the Senior, Topline, and Cool-Energy feeds?
Hygain SENIOR — palatable, soy-free, non-oat micronized sweet feed for mature horses. Soluble fiber + quality protein + balanced vitamins/minerals; natural Vitamin E, prebiotics, pure rice bran oil, bio-available selenium, biotin.
Hygain TRU GAIN — high-fat, slow-release, cool-energy supplement for body condition + performance energy. Bio-available Vitamin E and selenium.
Hygain TRU CARE — extruded feed for horses with specific nutritional requirements (age, body condition, work-status change). Higher protein/fat/soluble fibers, dense vitamin/mineral concentration.
What does Ann Pruitt say about Hygain ZERO?
Per Hygain® Feeds, Ann Pruitt, Director of InfoHorse.com:
"I have a beautiful Morgan mare, Sugar. Even though she has no pain, is ridden every week, and is strikingly beautiful, she struggles with insulin resistance and weight and is borderline laminitic. It was heartache. Our other horses get to eat normally but poor Sugar's diet is greatly restricted, and she only gets five minutes of pasture time a day. When I discovered the Hygain feed, I was shocked to see that it's so low in starch and yet so nutritious! Sugar loves it. Best of all, she dropped a little weight and is looking even better than ever. I plan to keep my wonderful little mare on ZERO for the rest of her life. Even my shoer was stunned when he read the ingredients on the empty Hygain feed bag and took it to show other clients."
Where can I buy Hygain — and how does shipping work?
Per Hygain®:
Ask at your local feed store — Hygain is spreading fast. If they don't carry Hygain, ask them to.
Available on CHEWY.com for direct delivery; shipping is FREE if you order two bags on Chewy
Also available on AMAZON
How do I contact Hygain — and where is the company based?
Per Hygain® Feeds:
Address: 668 Flinn Road, Suite 21, Moorpark, California 93021 (US distribution)
Pricing varies by feed product, bag size, and retailer; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and feed-grain-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Hygain or your local dealer when ordering.
What is the NSC level of HYGAIN ZERO?
HYGAIN ZERO carries less than 5.5% NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) and less than 1.5% starch, which Hygain describes as having the lowest sugar content of any complete feed on the market. NSC is the combined sugar and starch in a feed, and keeping it low is the central design goal of ZERO. This makes it suitable for horses that cannot safely tolerate the higher carbohydrate loads found in grain-based feeds.
Who founded Hygain and when?
Hygain was founded in 1983 by Greg Manley, a horse owner and competitor living in Australia. Dissatisfied with the quality and nutritional standards of the feeds available, he started mixing nutritionally balanced formulas for his own horses and others in his local area. Demand grew through word of mouth and led to a dedicated equine feed mill south-east of Melbourne, with the brand carrying the line 'Feeding Champions Since 1983.'
What does the 'Feeding Champions Since 1983' slogan refer to?
For more than 30 years Hygain has fed champion horses across many disciplines, including Melbourne Cup winners, Olympic medallists, and championship titlists in harness racing, reining, dressage, show jumping and eventing. The company was also associated with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The slogan reflects this long competitive track record while still speaking to everyday owners who simply want to keep a horse sound and healthy.
What is HYGAIN ZERO made from?
ZERO is grain-free and soy-free. Its listed ingredients include protein meals, legume hulls, canola oil and Hygain RBO rice bran oil, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium oxide and salt, plus the Hygain Vitamin and Mineral Premix with heat-stable vitamins and chelated mineral proteinates, sodium zeolite, biotin and prebiotics. The energy comes from soluble fibre rather than cereal grain.
What are the guaranteed nutrient levels in ZERO?
ZERO is formulated to roughly 15% protein, 4% fat and 35% fibre, with a maximum starch of 1.5% and digestible energy around 8 MJ/kg. The high fibre and low fat-and-starch profile is what gives it slow-release, cool energy. Always confirm the exact analysis on the bag in your region, as labels can vary slightly by market.
Is HYGAIN ZERO good for horses with metabolic conditions?
Yes. ZERO was developed to support the specialised dietary requirements of horses and ponies with conditions such as Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Laminitis, Cushing's Disease, Tying-Up or grain intolerance. Research links high-NSC, high-starch and high-sugar diets to causing or worsening these conditions, so a low-NSC feed like ZERO is intended to reduce that risk. As with any therapeutic diet, work with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist for an individual horse.
Why is ZERO grain-free and soy-free?
ZERO is built without cereal grains so that it avoids the high starch and sugar that grains contribute, which is critical for starch-sensitive and metabolic horses. It is also soy-free, which suits horses with a sensitivity to soy. Removing both lets the feed deliver energy from soluble fibre and oils instead.
How does ZERO support hoof health?
ZERO is enriched with biotin, a B-vitamin associated with rapid hoof development and coat conditioning. Hygain markets the feed as supporting both digestive and hoof health in starch-sensitive horses. Combined with balanced minerals, it is designed to help maintain strong hoof structure over time, though hoof growth is gradual and best judged over several months.
How do I introduce HYGAIN ZERO to my horse?
Hygain recommends introducing ZERO gradually over 7 to 14 days, slowly replacing the previous feed to let the horse's digestive system adjust. Feed by weight rather than by volume, and ensure the horse receives a minimum of 1.5% of its body weight daily as roughage. Feeding 'little and often' suits the horse's small stomach capacity, and clean water should always be available.
Can ZERO be fed as a complete feed?
ZERO is described as a complete feed ration for horses and ponies that benefit from a low-starch, low-sugar diet, and it is fully fortified with vitamins and minerals. That said, horses still require adequate roughage — at least 1.5% of body weight daily — so ZERO is fed alongside appropriate forage rather than as the only food source. Avoid adding extra vitamins and minerals without professional direction to prevent over-supplementation.
Is ZERO suitable for excitable or 'hot' horses?
Yes. Because its energy comes from soluble fibre and oil rather than cereal grain, ZERO provides slow-release, 'cool' energy that does not produce the sharp glucose spike grain can cause. The product is marketed with 'slow release energy' and 'ulcer safe' attributes. That makes it a practical option for performance horses, including barrel and speed horses, that become fizzy or anxious on grain-based feeds.
What prebiotics and digestive aids does ZERO contain?
ZERO includes added prebiotics that, combined with its low NSC, support hindgut balance and help maintain a strong immune system. The Hygain Vitamin and Mineral Premix also contains heat-stable vitamins and chelated mineral proteinates for better absorption. The high soluble-fibre base keeps the digestive tract working steadily, which is part of why the feed is positioned as digestive-health friendly.
Where can I buy HYGAIN ZERO in the United States?
In the United States the Hygain range is distributed by Global Equine Nutrition, Inc., led by long-standing USA Director David Snodgrass. ZERO is available through retailers with physical stores across the country, online at Chewy.com, and via HygainFeeds.com, which offers a 'Where to Buy' locator. It is commonly sold in a 44-lb bag in the US market.
What other feeds does Hygain make?
Beyond ZERO, Hygain's range includes Showtorque (a non-grain performance feed higher in fat and fibre), Ice (a low-starch, high-fibre feed for cool, calm energy), Tru Care (a highly digestible extruded feed for body conditioning and senior horses), Tru Gain (a high-fat conditioning supplement), RBO rice bran oil, and breeding feeds such as Tru Breed. This breadth lets owners keep an entire program on one brand.
Is Hygain ZERO ulcer safe?
Hygain markets ZERO with an 'ulcer safe' attribute, reflecting its grain-free, high-fibre formulation. Diets that are high in fibre and low in starch are generally considered gentler on the equine stomach than grain-heavy rations, which can increase gastric acid exposure. While no feed alone treats ulcers, ZERO is positioned as a supportive choice for horses managed for gastric sensitivity, ideally alongside veterinary guidance.
How is Hygain feed quality controlled?
Hygain manufactures in a dedicated equine-only feed mill and applies HACCP-certified processes and FEEDSAFE quality assurance programs. The company states it uses only the finest certified ingredients, applies strict quality controls, and incorporates the latest equine nutrition research. Being equine-only means the facility is focused entirely on the specialised requirements of horses.
Does a low glycaemic feed like ZERO help with conditions such as Cushing's and insulin resistance?
ZERO is formulated with a low glycaemic index, which Hygain describes as ideal for horses prone to Cushing's and insulin resistance. A low glycaemic feed produces a smaller, slower rise in blood glucose and insulin after eating, which is the management goal for those conditions. It should be used as part of an overall low-sugar management plan developed with your veterinarian.
