Start Sampling Immediately
No physical kit is required for this analysis. To avoid delays and speed up the testing process, we send detailed sampling instructions directly to your inbox shortly after your order is placed.
Place Your Order
Complete your order online in just a few minutes.
Check Your Email
We’ll send clear instructions explaining exactly how to collect your forage sample.
Send Your Sample
Package your sample and return it to Forageplus for laboratory analysis.
Our Wet Chemistry Nutritional Analysis provides a highly accurate laboratory assessment of the nutritional value of your hay or haylage.
This method uses traditional wet chemistry techniques, offering exceptional accuracy for horses requiring precise control of sugar and starch levels, including laminitic and metabolic horses
What This Analysis Measures
This report includes a full panel of key nutritional markers using wet chemistry methods. These values match the NIR panel but are obtained through wet chemistry analysis.
- Dry Matter (DM)
- Moisture
- Digestible Energy (DE)
- Crude Protein (CP)
- Estimated Lysine
- Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF)
- Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF)
- Water Soluble Carbohydrates WSC Total Sugar
- Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates ESC Simple Sugar
- Starch
- Non-Fibre Carbohydrates NFC
Why This Analysis Matters
Understanding sugar and starch levels is essential for horses prone to laminitis, EMS and weight gain. Scientific and clinical experience shows that ESC plus starch levels above 10 percent are unsuitable for laminitic horses.
This analysis helps you determine the following:
- Whether your hay is suitable for sugar-sensitive horses
- Whether soaking is required
- Whether soaking has reduced sugar levels enough to make the forage safe
- How to balance energy and protein for good doers, poor doers or performance horses
Protein and digestible energy values also help you understand:
- Whether your horse requires additional protein
- Whether hard feed is necessary
- How much forage is needed to maintain or adjust bodyweight
Please note that this report lists nutritional values only. Feed plans are an optional service.
Sampling and Turnaround Time
Send 50 to 100 grams of a representative sample collected from 6 to 10 bales. Reports are normally completed within 10 to 14 working days.
Watch our video guide: How to Collect Your Sample
Providing Analysis Services For Leading Organisations
Our forage and nutritional analysis services support research, education and industry projects for respected organisations across the United Kingdom.
Feed Suggestions Optional Service
Our bespoke feed suggestions are formulated using your forage analysis and water analysis if included. Each plan is tailored to your horse’s individual needs.
Please note the following:
- Feed suggestions are not included in the price of the analysis
- They are provided at our discretion based on the accuracy of the information you supply
- Up-to-date photos and complete details are essential for horse welfare and accurate recommendations
- Feed suggestions are usually completed 1 to 2 weeks after your analysis report, depending on demand and staff availability
- We begin work only once your analysis report is complete
Important Information
Please use any analysis kit purchased from Forageplus within 6 months of purchase to avoid potential lab fee increases.
For international customers, the process is the same. Full sampling and shipping instructions are emailed once your order is received.
