What it is
Ethanol-soluble carbohydrates are the sugars that dissolve in ethanol. The University of Tennessee lab defines ESC as simple sugars, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and fructans, but typically not polysaccharides [1]. ESC does not include starch [2].
Labs define the sugar fractions slightly differently, so compare ESC figures from the same lab or method where you can [1, 2].
Why it matters
Starch, ESC and WSC are reported together on equine feed packages because they interest owners of horses with metabolic disorders that are made worse by high carbohydrate intake [3].
Sources
- 1. McIntosh D, Pedreira B, Mason K, Ivey J, Eckelkamp E, Shanks J, Florence R. Forage Analysis Definitions (SP 774). University of Tennessee Extension. Revised May 2025. https://soillab.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/129/2025/05/SP-774_Forage_Analysis_Definitions-REV0525_Proof_1.pdf (accessed 2026-11-07)
- 2. Arispe S, Filley S. Understanding your forage test results (EM 8801). Oregon State University Extension Service. Revised October 2020, reviewed 2023. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-8801-understanding-your-forage-test-results (accessed 2026-11-07)
- 3. A&L Canada Laboratories. Defining Analytical Constituents in Equine Feed Reports. Fact Sheet No. 234. London, Ontario. Revised February 2022. https://alcanada.com/Tech_Bulletins/Field_Crops/Forages/234-Defining%20Analytical%20Constituents%20in%20Equine%20Feed%20Report.pdf (accessed 2026-11-07)
Last edited 7 Nov 2026, 1:48 am