THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES:
- Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. ...
- Alfalfa is nutritionally dense. ...
- Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. ...
Why do horses need alfalfa?
Alfalfa is nutritionally dense. It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it.
Is it dangerous for a horse to eat 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. What does too much alfalfa do to a horse?
Can you feed alfalfa hay to horses?
In addition, molds that grow in hay can make a horse develop respiratory tract symptoms. However, molds not only grow on Alfalfa but also in other types of hay. After debunking the listed myths, you can safely opt to feed Alfalfa hay to horses. If your horse requires extra calcium and proteins, provide Alfalfa.
Is alfalfa a wise choice for horse feed?
Alfalfa is still an excellent food for horses; however, it should not simply be added to the diet willy-nilly, but in consultation with a good equine nutritionist to ensure your horse can benefit from all the age-old goodness of this leafy legume.
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What are the benefits of alfalfa for horses?
“The biggest benefit of alfalfa for horses is that it tends to be more nutrient-dense than most grasses when harvested at the same stage of maturity,” says Martinson. It typically contains more digestible energy, more crude protein and calcium, and fewer nonstructural carbohydrates (sugars and starches).
Can alfalfa 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.
Can I feed my horse straight alfalfa?
Generally alfalfa is a good hay to feed horses, but there are caveats: Don't overfeed alfalfa. Only feed alfalfa if your horse needs extra digestible energy, protein, and calcium.
How much alfalfa should a horse eat a day?
18-24 lbs.Horses can normally eat 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay, which equates to 18-24 lbs. of hay per day.
What's the best feed to fatten up a horse?
If you're trying to help your horse gain weight, offer free access to forage. Putting a half-ton condensed hay block in a field is a great place to start. You can also add soaked alfalfa cubes or beet pulp to his grain. Choose a feed high in fat and protein, and supplement with oil as needed.
Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?
Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses.
Is timothy or alfalfa better for horses?
Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it's generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.
Is alfalfa better than grass hay?
Higher Protein Content On average, alfalfa hay has much higher levels of protein, ranging from 15% to 21% depending on when the alfalfa was cut. This is much higher than the protein levels of grass hay, which typically contains 10% or less protein.
Will horses stop eating when they are full?
Horses do not have the ability to control their eating so that they will stop eating when they have met their nutrient requirements. They will continue to eat, which can lead to digestive and lameness problems.
Can too much alfalfa cause laminitis?
Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed.
Can you feed a horse too much alfalfa pellets?
Overeating alfalfa leads to obesity and colic. Pellets have two problems related to colic, overeating and being concentrated. Because pellets aren't long-stem forage, they don't move food through the digestive tract, leading to colic.
Should horses have hay all time?
Conclusion. Horses don't have to eat all the time, but having constant access to hay helps keep their digestive system working correctly. Allowing your horse to graze on pasture grass is safe and keeps them healthy. A healthy pasture provides all the nutrition horses need.
Does alfalfa cause weight gain?
Q. Does Alfalfa make you gain weight? A. No, alfalfa consumption may cause weight loss.
Is alfalfa hay good for weight gain?
Alfalfa as a component of the diet brings in high quality protein and highly digestible fiber that is translated to a good calorie source for weight gain or to support work.
Should horses eat alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of energy, protein, calcium and some other nutrients for horses. Its concentrations of protein and calcium meet the nutrient needs of horses in high levels of production, such as growth and lactation, but exceed the nutrient requirements of horses in other life stages.
Is timothy or alfalfa better for horses?
Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it's generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.
What is Alfalfa good for?
THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES: 1 Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood. It is also necessary for the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. 2 Alfalfa is nutritionally dense. It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. 3 Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it. It can also benefit performance horses whose blood sugar is fluctuating due to increased physical demands.
How much protein is in alfalfa?
Alfalfa contains anywhere from 14% protein on the low end to a whopping 25% or more protein for dairy grade. As well, it is largely made up of a form of fiber called lignin which is not digestible.
What happens if you feed a horse too much protein?
Feeding more protein than your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut. This can contribute to leaky gut and will create too much ammonia which is toxic to the liver and kidneys if accumulated in excess amounts.
Does alfalfa cause calcium to be removed?
Too much alfalfa requires a lot of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism. If there is not enough calcium available, the body will remove calcium from the bones, joints, and muscles. In addition, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland.
Does Alfalfa help with sugar absorption?
It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it.
Is soy hull good for horses?
Thanks for your question…if you are feeding soy hulls for fibre then that can be beneficial but most of it is GMO and not all horses tolerate it. Please feel free to check out my consultation page if you would like me to customize his diet for you when he arrives at his new home Congratulations! https://elishaedwards.com/consulting/
Can horses eat alfalfa?
There are many benefits to feed ing alfalfa to horses especially if they are protein deficient or they have higher requirements such as performance horses and seniors.
How long before work can you give horses alfalfa?
You might offer performance horses alfalfa an hour or two before work or competition, during which acid can splash up into the nonglandular part of the stomach (where the cells of the lining do not produce protective mucus). The simple act of chewing creates more saliva, which also helps buffer stomach acid, says Lea.
Why do horses eat legumes?
Owners might also offer the legume to horses needing to develop more muscle , particularly along the topline. Stephen Duren, PhD, equine nutritionist and founder of Performance Horse Nutrition, in Weiser, Idaho, says this is because alfalfa provides amino acids needed for muscle regeneration. “We see this practice more in the East where a lot of marginal grass hay is fed.”
What insects kill horses?
These flying insects—dead or alive—contain the toxin cantharidin, which can kill a horse if consumed in large amounts. Blister beetles feed on alfalfa blossoms and might swarm fields during harvest. Beetles killed by the haying equipment can end up in the hay.
Why do horses have a high potassium level?
These horses are affected by hyperkalemia, or an excessive amount of potassium in the blood, which causes their muscles to contract more readily than normal and makes them susceptible to sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis. These horses are particularly sensitive to alfalfa’s high potassium content.
Why does my horse have a urine smell?
A horse eating more protein than the body can use will also drink more water (to help flush out the additional waste products). This creates more urine and, thus, more ammonia odor. “Ammonia in stalls can irritate airways and make horses susceptible to respiratory problems,” says Duren.
Does alfalfa make horses hot?
Some owners believe alfalfa makes horses “hot,” but Martinson says there’s no scientific basis for this. “ (It) does have more energy compared to grass hay of similar maturity, so perhaps a horse eating a lot of alfalfa in the absence of exercise may have more energy,” she says. “The biggest issue with alfalfa is weight gain in horses that don’t have adequate exercise.”
Does alfalfa hay help with insulin resistance?
For instance, a horse that’s overweight and insulin resistant needs a lower-sugar hay (the alfalfa), says Martinson, but not the additional calories, “So we often end up doing a mix where those horses receive some legume and search for a low-sugar grass hay to mix with it.”
How does alfalfa differ from horse feed?
Alfalfa horse feed can also vary in texture which relates to the proportion of leaf and stem it contains . The stems of the alfalfa plant are very fibrous whereas the leaf is very nutritious. The weather determines how quickly the plant is growing and if the conditions are right, it can mature very quickly making it more fibrous. In contrast, leafy alfalfa horse feed can look very “bitty” in the bag – as the leaf is the most nutritious part it is vital that it is included in the feed and the addition of coatings should help to ensure it is evenly distributed through the bag.
What is Alfalfa?
Although alfalfa for horses is still often perceived as a relatively “new” feed, it has actually been used for thousands of years and the name “alfalfa” comes from Arabic, Persian and Kashmiri words meaning “best horse fodder” and “horse power”. You may also hear the name “Lucerne” used, which can cause confusion, but it is just another name for alfalfa.
Why is alfalfa green?
The main factor influencing the colour of alfalfa is the weather with wet and warm conditions producing green, leafy plants while dry and hot weather tends to result in browner material. Although the alfalfa is mixed to try to create a consistent finished product, this can be difficult in years when extreme weather is experienced as most of the crop will be the same.
What is the nutritional value of alfalfa?
The alfalfa plant is rich in beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body. It also contains vitamin E and the B vitamins Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and Folic Acid. Alfalfa also contains valuable levels of the trace mineral cobalt that enables the horse to synthesise vitamin B12 which is involved in iron absorption and utilisation.
Is alfalfa good for digestion?
Independent research has shown that alfalfa is a better buffer than grass forage due to the level of calcium, protein and other components it contains. This means feeding alfalfa can help to regulate acidity in the digestive tract.
Is alfalfa a legume?
Alfalfa is a legume and so is a member of the pea and bean family and has deep roots that enable it to access water and minerals deep in the soil. This makes it a very nutritious crop as well as being beneficial for soil structure. Alfalfa is able to take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into amino acids in its own tissue and also puts some back into the soil. This means that no additional fertilisers are needed for the alfalfa and the crops that follow in rotation require much less fertiliser too. Alfalfa is left in the ground for three to four years. This not only provides winter ground cover for birds and insects but also reduces the tillage of the land which research is showing is beneficial for carbon capture too.
Is alfalfa oil good for horses?
When oil is added as a coating to alfalfa for horses, sugar levels are typically less than 5% but the energy is high enough to support horses in moderate to hard work. Feeds are rarely (if ever) sugar free, as even straw contains some sugar which is why we use the phrase “no added sugar” to describe our lowest sugar feeds. Combining alfalfa with oil, such as in Alfa-A Oil, produces a feed with 12.5MJ DE per kg, which is equivalent to a conditioning mix but with 10 times less starch! Due to its low starch and sugar content, alfalfa horse feed is ideal for the laminitis prone and those with muscle problems.
Why is alfalfa hay bad for horses?
Horses who are allergic to ragweed should avoid alfalfa hay because they may have an allergic reaction.
Why shouldn't horses eat alfalfa?
However, feeding alfalfa to young horses is tricky because too much protein causes bone growth abnormalities.
What is alfalfa?
Alfalfa hay is one of the most popular types of horse feed, but many misconceptions and myths surround it . We want to clear up some confusion by addressing those concerns.
What is the best hay for horses?
Generally alfalfa is a good hay to feed horses, but there are caveats: 1 Don’t overfeed alfalfa 2 Only feed alfalfa if your horse needs extra digestible energy, protein, and calcium
How much calcium is in 17.5 pounds of alfalfa hay?
In 17.5 pounds of alfalfa, you get 19.25 mega calories of digestible energy, 3.62 pounds of crude protein, and .24 pounds of calcium.
How much energy does a horse need?
For example, an average-sized horse in light work needs approximately 18.4 mega calories daily of digestible energy, 1.4 pounds of crude proteins, and 27 grams of calcium. In 17.5 pounds of grass, hay provides 15.75 mega calories of digestible energy, 14 pounds of crude protein, and 39 grams of calcium.
Why is alfalfa grown on farms?
It’s typically grown on farms for livestock consumption and as a soil conditioner. When making hay, the plant is harvested and cured before it reaches the flowering stage. If the alfalfa plant is harvested too late, it becomes difficult for horses to digest.
Why is alfalfa used for horses?
There is a reason alfalfa is still used for feeding to horses today and that’s because it is safe and nutritious.
What are the vitamins in alfalfa?
Wide Range of Vitamins. The alfalfa plant is rich in beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body. It also contains vitamin E and the B vitamins Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, Biotin and Folic acid.
What Is Alfalfa Like as a Buffer to Acidity?
Independent research has shown that the alfalfa plant is a better buffer than grass forage due to the level of calcium, protein and other components it contains. This means alfalfa plant uses extend to helping to regulate acidity in the digestive tract.
Is alfalfa sugar free?
Feeds are rarely (if ever) sugar free, as even straw contains some sugar, but the low-sugar and starch content does highlight the alfalfa health benefits for your horse. Due to it’s low starch and sugar content alfalfa is ideal for laminitis prone horses or ponies and those with muscle problems.
Is alfalfa good for muscle?
Protein is a vital constituent of muscle and feeding alfalfa is a healthy way to help build muscle tone.
Does alfalfa give horses energy?
The fibre in alfalfa gives your horse slow release energy which they can use for maintenance, work or putting on weight. Alfa-A Original provides as much energy as a cool mix does. This means for many horses, there is no need to use cereal based feeds at all.
Is alfalfa high in sugar?
Alfalfa Has Low Starch and Sugar Content. The alfalfa plant has a very low content of both starch and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) such as sugars and fructan. When oil is added as a coating to alfalfa, sugar levels are typically less than 5%.
Why do horses eat alfalfa?
It’s especially helpful for a hard keeper because of its high palatability—horses love to eat it. Feeding alfalfa is an excellent alternative to feeding excessive amounts of grain at meals to get more calories into a horse’s diet. Alfalfa is usually lower in ber, higher in energy, higher in protein and higher in calcium than grass hays.
How much calcium is in alfalfa hay?
In addition, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in some alfalfa hays approaches 15 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. It is recommended that young, growing horses receive supplemental phosphorus in the form of a ration balancer supplement or developing horse commercial concentrate.
What minerals do horses need to grow?
For young, growing horses, two minerals, calcium and phosphorus, are vital for proper skeletal formation. Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of highly available calcium, but unfortunately is often a poor source of phosphorus. To grow a sound skeleton, young horses first need adequate amounts of both calcium and phosphorus.
Why do horses urinate?
That’s an old wives’ tale, probably inspired by the fact that horses with high protein intake tend to drink more water, and therefore urinate more. The body’s process for breaking down protein into calories results in nitrogen as a byproduct, which gets filtered out of the body in the horse’s kidneys.
Why do horses need protein?
Mature horses use protein to maintain body tissues and synthesize antibodies, blood, hormones and the like, rather than build new masses of muscle and bone associated with growth. Therefore, the younger the horse, the greater the protein requirement when expressed as a percentage of total diet.
Why are blood solids important for horses?
Blood solids are largely protein, and because antibod- ies and other immune substances are proteins, this nutrient also plays a major function in ghting infection. As a rule, protein requirements decrease with age.
What are the factors that affect the life of a horse?
All of these factors—performance, growth rate, reproduction and age —complicate the nutrient requirements of the horse in ways unforeseen 20 years ago.
Why are alfalfa pellets not good for horses?
This means that alfalfa pellets, while good for the horse, do not promote a healthy tract. They lack long-stem fibers and cannot replace hay.
How much protein does hay give a horse?
The average horse gets more protein from hay and pasture than from a few pounds of alfalfa pellets. For instance, ten pounds of grass hay contains 1.08 pounds of protein if it has 13 percent protein. Conversely, two pounds of 15 percent protein alfalfa contain just a quarter pound of protein.
Why add calories to a horse's diet?
Adding calories to a horse’s diet. They can be used to add calories to your horse’s diet because they are forage-based. Calories that are based on forage do not cause the problems caused by starch and high sugar feeds like grains. Alfalfa pellets provide calories without adding the ‘hot’ factor.
Does alfalfa affect horses?
Alfalfa pellets provide calories without adding the ‘hot’ factor. Alfalfa pellets do not affect majority of horses negatively. However, you should check whether your horse is allergic to them. Adding proteins to a horse’s diet. Generally, alfalfa has more protein than grass hays.
Do horses need more protein?
Horses do not necessarily need more protein in their diets. If your horse has an amino acid deficiency, the solution is not giving him more protein but giving him better protein. Therefore, alfalfa pellets can be used to add pellets to a horse’s diet but it is not necessary.
Does alfalfa add protein to horses diet?
Generally, alfalfa has more protein than grass hays. Therefore, it can be used to add protein to a diet. In the grand scheme of things, however, these pellets will not add that much protein to your horse’s diet unless you are feeding it significant amounts. The average horse gets more protein from hay and pasture than from a few pounds ...
