What are alfalfa cubes made of?
In general, there are two types of cubesdehydrated and suncured. Dehydrated cubes are made from alfalfa that is cut at an early stage of maturity and is partially dried in the field. The wilted alfalfa is picked up and chopped using a forage harvester.
How to feed alfalfa cubes to horses?
Stampede Alfalfa Cubes can be fed as the sole forage source, used as part of the forage program or fed as a treat. Feed Alfalfa Cubes off the ground in the pasture or in your horse’s feeder. When fed as the sole forage source be sure to feed at least 10 pounds or more per horse per day.
Where are alfalfa cubes grown?
Grown in the Snake River Basin of Idaho, our Alfalfa Cubes contain some of the highest protein of any forage grown in the United States. Our area offers the ideal weather conditions for alfalfa.
What is the difference between Alfalfa cubes and hay?
Alfalfa cubes are similar to long-stem hay in digestible energy, crude protein, and calcium content (Table 1). The use of alfalfa cubes eliminates the sorting of leaves from stems, so the cubed product provides a more uniform feed.
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How do you use alfalfa cubes?
So if you're feeding nothing but alfalfa cubes, you should feed 1.5 to 2 percent of the horse's body weight per day. If you're giving it in addition to hay and/or grain, the total of everything should add up to 1.5 to 2 percent of the horse's body weight.
Are alfalfa cubes or pellets better?
There is no nutritional difference between alfalfa pellets and cubes, so the choice between the two is based on which type your horses prefer and which you prefer to feed and store. Alfalfa pellets, cubes, and hay provide the same essential nutrients per pound.
Can alfalfa cubes replace hay?
Alfalfa cubes are more appropriate either for lactating mares or growing horses and as a partial forage substitute. While up to 15 lbs or more can be fed per day, as little as 2 to 6 lbs of cubes per day can be used as a “hay extender” if only poor quality hay is available in limited quantities.
How do you use alfalfa cubes on horses?
Add alfalfa cubes to your horse's diet gradually, as sudden dietary changes can cause health issues. If alfalfa cubes will be its primary feed, replace 1/4 of its old feed with alfalfa cubes. Mix the cubes with its old feed to get its digestive tract and taste buds accustomed to its new diet.
What happens if a horse eats too much alfalfa?
Alfalfa hay can cause diarrhea in a horse that overeats it because the hay is rich and full of nutrients. Overeating alfalfa can also cause a horse to have excess gas, develop laminitis, and founder.
Are alfalfa cubes the same as alfalfa hay?
Less dust than long-stem hay – Our Alfalfa cubes contain little dust, so they represent a healthy dietary choice for horses with respiratory problems. Reduced storage requirements – Cubes are denser than hay and therefore require less storage space.
Can horses choke on alfalfa cubes?
Choke can occur when a horse consumes it's food too rapidly, tries to swallow food without chewing it, has reduced or impaired salivation, cannot properly chew its feed because of dental issues and when eating food items that are large like carrots or alfalfa cubes.
How do you feed alfalfa hay cubes?
1:247:33Feeding Your Horse Alfalfa Cubes: How and Why - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd they're much easier to chew than hay when their teeth are old it's difficult to to they alsoMoreAnd they're much easier to chew than hay when their teeth are old it's difficult to to they also helps keep the weight on their digestive. Systems are not as efficient when they're older. So they need
Can alfalfa cause colic in horses?
Any feed material can cause a digestive impaction if it is consumed rapidly. Many horses are safely fed diets consisting solely of alfalfa pellets without problems. However, poor quality alfalfa pellets or a rapid change to an alfalfa pellet diet can contribute to colic symptoms.
Will alfalfa cubes help a horse gain weight?
Alfalfa is higher in calories and protein than grass hays, which makes it an excellent choice to help to add weight to a thin horse. If your horse tends to be wasteful with his hay, he may eat more when offered alfalfa hay cubes or pellets.
Are hay cubes as good as hay?
Replacing all or part of baled hay with forage cubes will provide high-quality nutrient-rich forage for you horses. Simply replacing 1 pound of baled hay with 1 pound of forage cubes will boost forage quality and nutrient intake.
How often should I feed my horse alfalfa?
twice a dayIn general, feed hay twice a day; limit alfalfa to one-half of your roughage; and feed grain according to body condition and use of the horse.
Should I feed my horse alfalfa pellets?
Alfalfa is a good source of nutrients for sport horses, but owners might want to avoid offering it when horses are working hard in hot weather, says Duren. Protein metabolism creates more heat than fat or carbohydrate metabolism. This added heat can impair the horse's ability to dissipate heat.
Will alfalfa pellets put weight on a horse?
Alfalfa is higher in calories and protein than grass hays, which makes it an excellent choice to help to add weight to a thin horse. If your horse tends to be wasteful with his hay, he may eat more when offered alfalfa hay cubes or pellets.
Are alfalfa cubes good for horses?
Alfalfa cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. Because of the high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins, alfalfa cubes are very effective in feeding programs for broodmares and young growing horses.
What are alfalfa pellets good for?
Alfalfa Pellets act as a slow-release fertilizer that is an excellent source of nitrogen. Alfalfa also contains trace minerals and triacontanol, a naturally occurring growth promoter, which is great for roses!
What is Alfalfa Cubes?
Alfalfa Cubes for Horses. Forage is the basis for feeding programs for all classes of horses. Forage contains many nutrients, and the fiber provided by forage is essential for the maintenance of the horse's gastrointestinal health. Hay and pasture are the typical forage sources for horses, but when growing or harvesting conditions limit their ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of alfalfa cubes?
Advantages of Alfalfa Cubes. Reduced feed waste. Cubes are not wasted to the same extent as long-stem hay even if fed on the ground.
How is sun cured forage produced?
The sun-cured cubes are. produced by allowing the alfalfa to dry in the field. The cured forage is then baled and transported to the processing plant, where it is chopped and cubed.
What is the best forage for horses?
Hay and pasture are the typical forage sources for horses, but when growing or harvesting conditions limit their availability, horse owners have to consider alternative forage sources. Forage cubes are gaining popularity as an alternative to feeding long-stem hay.
Why are cubes better than hay?
Reduced transportation costs. Cubes are more dense than hay and allow trucks to be loaded to their full legal capacity. This is not always possible with hay. Shipping costs for cubes can be reduced, assuming the shipping distance is the same.
Is alfalfa cubes more consistent than hay?
Consistent nutrient content. The nutrient levels found in cubes tend to be more consistent than hay. Alfalfa cubes are sold with a guaranteed minimum nutrient content.
Can horses eat alfalfa?
However, alfalfa cubes must be limit-fed, as voluntary intake is much greater for. the cubes than for long-stem alfalfa hay. Horses fed to appetite consumed 17 to 25% more cubed alfalfa than long-stem hay.
Can cubes be soaked in water?
For older horses, horses with poor teeth or for horses pro ne to choke, cubes can be soaked in warm water to loosen and make a mash. It is recommended
Is triple crown alfalfa a GMO?
Triple Crown Naturals Alfalfa Forage Cubes, made with pre and mid bloom, non-GMO alfalfa, are recommended to use during hay shortages or to supplement poor quality hay or pasture. Dehydrated to reduce dust, Triple Crown Naturals Alfalfa Forage Cubes are ideal for horses with respiratory issues.
How to feed Stampede Alfalfa Cubes?
Feeding Directions: Stampede Alfalfa Cubes can be fed as is right out of the bag or they can be soaked to facilitate mixing a grain and forage mash but soaking is not necessary. Substitute normal hay with Alfalfa Cubes on a weight for weight basis. Stampede Alfalfa Cubes can be fed as the sole forage source, used as part of the forage program or fed as a treat. Feed Alfalfa Cubes off the ground in the pasture or in your horse’s feeder. When fed as the sole forage source be sure to feed at least 10 pounds or more per horse per day. The amount fed should be adjusted to maintain the horse’s desired body condition and energy level.
What is a stampede cube?
Stampede offers the ultimate hay cube, peak harvested and naturally sun cured to provide maximum palatability, performance and nutrition. With guaranteed ingredient analysis, Stampede Cubes are consistently consistent in quality across all seasons and are easy to store.
What are the advantages of stampede cubes?
Advantages of Stampede Alfalfa Cubes. Crude Fiber (Max.) Moisture (Max.) Feeding Directions: Stampede Alfalfa Cubes can be fed as is right out of the bag or they can be soaked to facilitate mixing a grain and forage mash but soaking is not necessary. Substitute normal hay with Alfalfa Cubes on a weight for weight basis.
Recommended For
Growing (rapid growth) and underweight horses, horses with sensitivity to carbohydrates, horses with gastric ulcers and late pregnancy and lactating mares
Feeding Directions
Forage is the most important component of a horse’s diet and should be fed at a rate of 1.5-2.5% of a horse’s body weight.
Premium Alfalfa
Alfalfa Hay is a main staple and one of the most highly sought after forages in the world. Grown in the Snake River Basin of Idaho, our Alfalfa Cubes contain some of the highest protein of any forage grown in the United States.
Before and After
Cubeit Hay Co. free choice and a good grain, twice daily. This is a 60 day difference on this 3yr old….with about 45days riding.
How much alfalfa cubes should a horse eat a day?
We recently decided to start feeding our horses alfalfa cubes, but we’re unsure how much to feed our horses. So, I decided to research alfalfa cubes to learn what amount to give our horses each day.
Can horses eat cubes?
Cubes are too hard for most horses to eat in the form they are bought. It’s recommended that each cube be broken into smaller pieces for your horse to eat. Cubes are eaten slower than pellets, which is a good thing. Many people soak cubes for 30 minutes before feeding.
Is alfalfa a good forage for horses?
Both Alfalfa cubes and pellets have less dust than hay and are an excellent alternative forage source for horses with respiratory issues.
Can horses eat alfalfa hay?
Most horse owners know the benefits of feeding alfalfa hay, but with limited room, pellets and cubes are great options. But, there is a lot to choosing the right application for your horse, and storage is just one consideration.
Can you substitute cubes for hay?
The only issue is controlling horses’ daily intake. I don’t think we will substitute cubes for hay full-time, but it is a viable alternative. If you’re interested in reading more about feeding horses check out this article: What Does a Horse Eat? An Essential Feeding Guide
