Lupin hulls are the fibrous outer shell of the lupin that can be separated from the seed during processing. They are very high in digestible fibre and pectins, and low in starch and sugar. Most of the crude protein in lupins is held in the seed, not the hull. Read more about the difference between lupins and lupin hulls here. 

Whole lupins are very high in crude protein, at around 30%. Most of this protein is stored in the seed or cotyledon, not in the hull. Lupin hulls are much lower in protein to help avoid protein overload in the diet. Our Lupin Fibre Cubes contain only 15.4% protein, nearly half that of whole lupins. Lupin hulls still contain quality amino acids though that are essential for function and health. 

Yes! Lupin hulls are high in digestible fibre which is considered to be an optimal energy source for many horses and ponies as their digestive systems have evolved over thousands of years to ferment plant fibres.  

The fibre in lupin hulls provides sustained slow release energy as it gets fermented by gut bacteria into Volatile Fatty Acids. The fermentation of fibre in the gut also produces really important vitamins including Vitamin B1, Vitamin K and biotin which are part of a their essential daily nutrient requirements. Read more about the nutritional value of Lupin Hulls here. 

Lupin hulls contain high levels of natural pectins which act as a prebiotic. Prebiotics feed the healthy bacteria in the gut and boost their population. These gut bacteria are vital for fibre fermentation and utilisation in the diet. 

When there is more healthy, fibre-loving bacteria your horse’s gut is able to digest fibre more efficiently – meaning they get more out of each mouthful of grass, hay and feed that goes in!

Lupin Fibre Cubes are low in starches and sugars (low in NSC – non-structural carbohydrates.) 

Non-structural carbohydrates cause huge spikes in glucose and insulin when digested that can be detrimental to horses with these conditions. Because Lupin Fibre are only 5.3% NSC which puts them in the safe range for these horses and ponies.  

Lupin Fibre Cubes expand when they get wet, so they should be soaked prior to feeding to avoid expansion in the stomach.  

Diets that are high in fibre can help to ‘sweep’ along the tiny floating particles, sand and dirt that a horse can picks up in the paddock while grazing, and keep it moving through the gut and out. What dietary fibre and treatments like psyllium husks cannot do is shift an existing sand burden. If a horse has a sand burden they need veterinary diagnosis, advice and treatment.