Can they eat it? / Molasses
Can horses eat molasses?
A little. It is sugar.
Used to bind sweet feed and tempt picky eaters. Not for metabolic or laminitis-prone horses.
Over time: weight gain and laminitis risk in the susceptible.
Why
Molasses is a concentrated sugar, mostly sucrose, glucose and fructose, with a small amount of minerals. A horse's stomach is small and digests starch and sugar in the small intestine, so a large sugar load can spill into the hindgut, where it ferments, upsets the gut bacteria and can trigger colic or laminitis. Molasses also carries no meaningful fiber or protein, so it adds calories without nutritional value. It is best seen as a flavoring or binder, not a feed.
How much is too much
For a 1,000 lb horse, a teaspoon or two drizzled over a meal is a small, reasonable amount. A tablespoon or two is a generous treat. A quarter cup or more at once is too much sugar for one meal. Ponies, miniatures and metabolic horses need far less, and for many of them a lick or nothing at all is the safer choice. Limit the total so sugar stays a small fraction of the diet.
Horses
For horses in work or at pasture, molasses works as a small flavoring on a meal or a binder for a supplement. Use a little, keep it occasional, and count it as part of the day's sugar intake. Horses in hard training can use the calories, but a sugary treat should not replace forage or a balanced feed. Watch body condition and energy levels, and check the label on any sweet feed that already contains molasses.
Ponies and easy keepers
Ponies, miniatures, seniors and horses with insulin resistance, Cushing's or a laminitis history should avoid molasses. Their bodies handle sugar poorly, so even small amounts can raise blood sugar and increase laminitis risk. For these horses, skip molasses entirely and talk with your veterinarian about the best way to make feed palatable. Low-sugar options are much safer for easy keepers.
Safe alternatives
Try a handful of fresh grass or soaked beet pulp, which adds moisture and flavor without much sugar. A small amount of ground flaxseed or a low-sugar hay pellet can make a meal more tempting. For picky eaters, a few chopped carrots or a sprinkle of salt in a sensible amount can add interest. Introduce any change slowly so the gut adjusts.
Questions people ask
Is molasses in hay safe for horses?
Hay sprayed with molasses adds sugar, so it can suit a healthy horse in small amounts. Easy keepers and metabolic horses should avoid it, and soaking or choosing unsprayed hay is a sensible step.
Can my horse have molasses after frost on the pasture?
Frost-damaged grass does not change the sugar in molasses itself. Keep treats small, and watch for changes in the grass that could upset digestion.
How much molasses is too much for a horse?
More than a couple of tablespoons at one time is too much for most horses. Ponies and metabolic horses should have little or none, and quantity should always stay small.
Careful for horses means: fine in a small amount, prepared as described, and not for every pet; the details say when to skip it.
General information from veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, call your vet or a pet poison line: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435. Charges may apply.
Written by Hoofdeck editors · updated Nov 13, 2026 · from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Merck Veterinary Manual and university extension guidance.