What Happens If A Horse Eats Too Much Alfalfa? (Correct answer)

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.

Does alfalfa cause inflammation in horses?

THREE RISKS OF FEEDING TOO MUCH ALFALFA TO HORSES: Horses that are on high protein diets become overly acidic which can cause inflammation in various body systems including the joints and hooves. In addition, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland.

Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?

Alfalfa (lucerne) products, whether hay, cubes, or pellets, are not known to cause kidney problems in horses.

What happens if a horse eats too much hay?

Horses should have access to good quality hay at all times, but it is possible for a horse to eat too much hay. It will slow your horse down, and he will have to take time to access the hay and chew it. This encourages more saliva production and helps prevent colic. It also helps prevent overeating and waste of hay.

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. If switching from grass hay to alfalfa, generally less alfalfa is required to provide the same nutrients present in the grass hay.

How much alfalfa is too much for a horse?

Alfalfa Hay Feeding Limits – Alfalfa hay (bale, cube, or pellet) should not exceed more than 50% of the total forage consumed per day. Alfalfa is high in protein and calcium however, if fed as the only forage source will adversely influence the relationship of these nutrients to energy.

Can alfalfa cause diarrhea horses?

Yes alfalfa will cause a loose stool, but not a viral infection —- BIG DIFFERENCE! The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus that infects the gut.

Can alfalfa cause stocking up in horses?

HorsesAreMyPassion said: If she was getting free choice or all of her hay ration in alfalfa hay, then she may have been getting more protein than she needs and her body can’t handle the excess protein, so her hind legs stock up.

Can alfalfa cause colic in horses?

Rich alfalfa hay can also cause colic, so we recommend feeding a grass hay or grass/alfalfa mix. Changes in management or a horse’s routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well. Water is also very important, as a horse with minimal exercise needs to drink 4-5 gallons a day to remain healthy.

How much alfalfa should a horse eat a day?

Horses can normally eat 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay, which equates to 18-24 lbs. of hay per day. The quality of the hay will determine how much is needed and if supplemental grain should be added. Good alfalfa can be 18-20% protein and 55% TDN or energy.

Can too much hay cause colic?

A change in the type of hay may cause colic for many reasons. Hay of poor quality is often less digestible, predisposing to impaction. Changing types of hay as in alfalfa and bermuda, may be related to colonic pH changes resulting from calcium differences in the two hays.

Will horses overeat hay?

We know horses need to eat either grass or hay. Horses can overeat on grass, especially if the pasture is lush, but it is also easy to let a horse get too fat eating hay. And, sometimes too little hay can mean a horse will lose weight.

Will a horse with colic poop?

Colicing horses can poop, but lack of poop can be a symptom of colic. I know, this sounds very confusing. The reason some colicing horses poop is because not all colics result in a blockage of the intestines. There are many different types of colic in horses.

Can alfalfa make a horse lame?

Alfalfa can be an excellent addition to most horses’ diets, even for those that are insulin resistant (IR). After years of working with horses, it appears that it may, in fact, lead to laminitis in some horses. I found this to be very puzzling since alfalfa is low in sugar and starch, even lower than most grass hays.

Is alfalfa good for older horses?

The digestive system in older horses tends to be less efficient at processing and absorbing nutrients. Older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn down or missing. Coleman has found that mixed grass-legume hay, such as orchard-alfalfa or timothy-alfalfa, is often a good choice.

Can you free feed alfalfa to horses?

Alfalfa or grain hays (such as oat or rye) can be fed free choice too, and most horses will probably regulate their intake of these as well. Alfalfa and oat hays are often somewhat higher in calories so will put weight on many horses.

3 Benefits and Dangers of Feeding Alfalfa to Horses

Many queries and comments have been received recently on whether or not horse owners should be feeding alfalfa to their horses. Read more. When it comes to additional calories in the winter, is alfalfa a good choice? Will it aid in the weight gain of their horses? Will it improve performance by supplying more energy and allowing you to gain muscle? Is it possible to use it as a substitute for hay? Let’s have a look at it. A lot of people mistakenly believe that alfalfa is a sort of grass since it is regarded to be a type of feed.

Alfalfa may contain anything from 14 percent protein on the low end to a whopping 25 percent or more protein in dairy grade, depending on how it is grown.

As a result of the high protein content and indigestible fibre, it is not a very effective source of energy, but it may be utilized for its nutritional advantages as well as a protein supplement.

Now, let’s consider the risks and the benefits of feeding alfalfa…

THERE ARE THREE RISKS IN FEEDING EXCESSIVE ALFALFA TO HORSES:

Feeding your horse more protein than he needs might result in stomach discomfort, as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut, among other problems. A leaky gut is a condition that occurs when there is too much ammonia produced. Ammonia is poisonous to the liver and kidneys if it is produced in large quantities. Horses on a high protein diet become acidic, which can lead to inflammation in a variety of bodily systems, including the joints and hooves, in the long run. They may become “hot,” worried, or agitated, or exhibit evidence of liver or renal stress, among other manifestations. As a matter of fact, some horses are so sensitive to alfalfa that they are unable to accept even little doses of it
A large amount of alfalfa necessitates the need of a large amount of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites produced by protein metabolism. Calcium is removed from the bones, joints, and muscles if there is not enough calcium available in the diet. Furthermore, alfalfa has the potential to overstimulate the pituitary gland.

Three advantages of feeding alfalfa to horses are as follows:

Forage rich in protein, such as alfalfa, can be used as a nutritional supplement for horses that are protein deficient or who require a greater protein intake, such as elderly horses or pregnant or nursing mares, among others. In order for muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood to develop and heal properly, protein must be consumed on a daily basis. Furthermore, it is required for the creation of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
Alfalfa has an abundance of nutrients. Due to its high calcium content as well as its high amounts of other minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus as well as lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid, alfalfa is beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels. As a result, if metabolic horses can handle it, it can be an advantageous nutritional supplement to their diet. This treatment can also be beneficial for performance horses whose blood sugar levels fluctuate as a result of increasing physical demands.

The bottom line is that. Providing alfalfa to horses has a number of advantages, particularly for those that are protein deficient or have greater nutritional requirements, such as performance horses and senior horses. Protein, on the other hand, cannot be substituted for fiber! Horses require a high-fibre, slow-eating, chewy grass hay that they can nibble on and ferment in order to produce energy efficiently and maintain a healthy digestive system. Animals should only be fed high-protein feeds, such as alfalfa hay, when it is necessary to augment their protein intake.

Large quantities of protein, on the other hand, are not metabolized efficiently by horses because of their anatomical architecture.

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All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa – The Horse

Alfalfa is a common crop in several parts of the country, and it is consumed on a regular basis. Because it is cheaply available and widely fed, it makes sense to use it as the cornerstone of many horses’ diets. In some locations, it is considered a delicacy of sorts, transported in from various countries and purchased by the bale on the advise of a veterinarian to aid in the nutritional support of certain horses in need. Alfalfa is just not a good choice for some sorts of horses, whether they are in the show ring or the pasture.

Our goal is to dispel any misconceptions you may have about alfalfa, beginning with a brief history of the plant, and to clear up any misunderstandings you may have about this feed, including how to grow it.

Alfalfa Goes Way Back

Grass and legumes are the two types of forage for horses that may be found in the wild. Grasses that you are likely familiar with include orchardgrass, timothy, and bermudagrass, all of which are long and stemmy in appearance. In addition to being members of the pea family, forage legumes such as clover and alfalfa are also distant cousins of peanuts and garbanzo beans. “Alfalfa is a perennial legume that is grown in most regions of the United States for the purpose of feeding horses and other livestock,” explains Krishona Martinson, PhD, associate professor and equine extension specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota in Falcon Heights.

It was one of the first domesticated forages to be harvested.
“Alfalfa was the primary source of nutrition for the horses of the early armies in those locations,” he explains.
and did not fare well, in part due to the wetter soils and lower pH of the soil, according to Smith.
In the western United States, the use of alfalfa developed fast, owing to the realization that it “suited well with that environment” and less-acidic soil types, according to Smith.
Today, alfalfa grows best on well-drained soils rather than moist soils, which is still the case.

Which Horses Benefit From Alfalfa?

Martinson explains that the most significant advantage of alfalfa for horses is that it is generally more nutrient-dense than most grasses when picked at the same stage of maturity as the grasses. When compared to nonstructural carbohydrates, it often provides more digestible energy, more crude protein, and higher calcium content (sugars and starches). Because it is so nutrient-dense, it is an excellent feed for horses that are underweight. Martinson believes that because of the decreased amount of nonstructural carbs in the diet, it can be advantageous to horses with muscular difficulties who are prone to tying up (because of their higher protein requirements) as well as horses that have equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

Nevertheless, “when dealing with developing horses, employ caution in the amount fed, just to ensure that they do not grow too quickly or get too large too quickly, putting them at risk for DOD (developmental orthopedic disease),” Martinson advises.
The sugar content of some grass hays is also too high for these horses, and here is where a legume diet or a mixed legume/grass diet might be beneficial in reducing overall sugar consumption.
For example, a horse who is overweight and insulin resistant need a lower-sugar hay (alfalfa), but not the more calories, according to Martinson.
The cost savings can be significant if you also have horses that perform well on less nutrient-dense hay, like in this case.
You may get the same results by supplementing a grass hay diet with alfalfa pellets or cubes.
You might feed alfalfa to performance horses an hour or two before work or competition, during which time acid can splash up into the nonglandular part of the stomach and cause discomfort (where the cells of the lining do not produce protective mucus).
Horses with a need for more muscle, particularly along the topline, may benefit from the legume, which can be given to them by their owners.

“This practice is more prevalent in the East, where a large amount of marginal grass hay is fed.”

Which Horses Should Not Eat Alfalfa?

Some horse owners assume that alfalfa makes their horses “hot,” but according to Martinson, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Considering that alfalfa has more energy than grass hay of equivalent age, it’s possible that a horse who gets a lot of alfalfa but doesn’t get much exercise will have greater energy, according to her. “The most serious problem with alfalfa is that it causes weight gain in horses that do not get enough exercise.” Furthermore, it provides more nutrients than the majority of nonworking horses require, resulting in obesity and the complications that accompany it.

According to Duren, alfalfa is a fantastic source of nutrition for sport horses, but owners should avoid providing it while horses are working hard in hot weather.
The horse’s capacity to disperse heat may be impaired as a result of the additional heat.
As Duren explains, “Additional protein cannot be kept in the body like extra fat or carbs and must be expelled,” meaning it must leave the body.
As a result, there is more urine and, thus, greater ammonia odor.
“Because ammonia is heavier than air, it is concentrated close to the earth.” While providing an excessive amount of protein is wasteful, a high-protein diet in and of itself is not harmful to a healthy horse.
As a result of their difficulties digesting and excreting protein, these patients should be kept on a very low-protein diet.
The increased body heat, water requirements, and urine output indicated above are the last things you want on an endurance ride where the horse is sweating for extended periods of time.

While endurance athletes, like any other performance horse, might benefit from limited amounts of alfalfa, Duren advises that they should not rely on it as their main or primary feed source.

As a result of the abundance of alfalfa hay and balancer pellets available in California, many cutting, reining, and other performance horses are able to subsist on this diet alone, and they do just well,” says the author.

It is believed that these horses are suffering from hyperkalemia, which is an excessive quantity of potassium in the blood, which causes their muscles to contract more rapidly than usual and makes them more prone to occasional bouts of muscular tremors and paralysis.

Nevertheless, according to Duren, potassium levels in forage are depending on what the plants are sucking up from the soil at the time.

If I had a horse who was sensitive to potassium, I would get the hay tested rather than excluding alfalfa altogether.

Mold that appears on the undersides of legume leaves, notably alfalfa, and causes black blotches to appear on the leaves.

Ingesting this mold can cause severe sunburn in horses, which can cause major damage to the unpigmented regions of their body, according to the author. The liver damage caused by the chemicals in the mold, on the other hand, is the more significant problem with these horses.

Selecting Alfalfa Hay

Always inspect alfalfa for cleanliness and the absence of dust or mold before purchasing it, just as you would with any other type of hay. Additionally, a healthy leaf-to-stem ratio should be sought (most of the nutrients are in the leaves; the stems are more fibrous). It should be green in color, which indicates that there are more leaves and that the hay has not been weathered or rained on prior to being stacked, according to Smith. A mixed grass/alfalfa hay is an excellent choice if your horse does not require the high nutritional content of pure alfalfa.

According to Smith, factors like as maturity, harvest circumstances, soil conditions, and other factors might have an impact on protein, energy, and mineral levels.

Ragwort, groundsels, Johnson grass, Sudangrass, water hemlock, and hoary alyssum are some of the poisonous weeds that might appear in alfalfa fields from time to time.

Take-Home Message

Make sure to account for the individual nutritional requirements of the animal when introducing alfalfa into his or her diet. A balanced ration may be put together with the assistance of your feed salesman, veterinarian, and nutritionist, who can also advise you on whether or not to give this forage. Despite the fact that alfalfa is a fantastic feed for horses, “a lot of horse owners are terrified by it and believe they should not feed it,” adds Martinson. All that is required is that the diet be managed properly.

Is It Dangerous For A Horse To Eat Alfalfa?

Prepare for the individual nutritional requirements of the horse while introducing alfalfa to his diet. In addition to assisting you in putting together a balanced ration, veterinarians and nutritionists can advise you whether to give this forage or not. Despite the fact that alfalfa is a fantastic feed for horses, “a lot of horse owners are terrified by it and believe they shouldn’t feed it,” adds Martinson. All that is required is that the diet be managed properly. and that the transitions from alfalfa to other pastures be made gradually.

Answers

No, alfalfa is a frequent food for certain horses, however depending on your horse’s diet, I wouldn’t advocate that s/he consumes excessive amounts of the plant. Alfalfa is not harmful to horses in any way. We gave our horses alfalfa hay as a special treat every now and again. However, it contains a significant amount of protein, which, if fed on a regular basis, may be detrimental to your horses’ health. If you are concerned or see anything unusual about your horse, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.

There’s nothing to worry about!

It is well-liked by them, and while it is not the greatest meal, it will not damage them.

It is acceptable for them to consume alfalfa, but if they haven’t eaten it previously, they may develop stocky legs and the runny nose. Your horse will be alright, don’t worry. Alfalfa can be excessively rich if ingested on a regular basis, but once in a while it will be OK.

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All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa

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Alfalfa Goes Way Back

It was one of the first domesticated forages to be harvested.
“Alfalfa was the primary source of nutrition for the horses of the early armies in those locations,” he explains.
and did not fare well, in part due to the wetter soils and lower pH of the soil, according to Smith.
In the western United States, the use of alfalfa developed fast, owing to the realization that it “suited well with that environment” and less-acidic soil types, according to Smith.
Today, alfalfa grows best on well-drained soils rather than moist soils, which is still the case.

Which Horses Benefit From Alfalfa?

Nevertheless, “when dealing with developing horses, employ caution in the amount fed, just to ensure that they do not grow too quickly or get too large too quickly, putting them at risk for DOD (developmental orthopedic disease),” Martinson advises.
The sugar content of some grass hays is also too high for these horses, and here is where a legume diet or a mixed legume/grass diet might be beneficial in reducing overall sugar consumption.
For example, a horse who is overweight and insulin resistant need a lower-sugar hay (alfalfa), but not the more calories, according to Martinson.
The cost savings can be significant if you also have horses that perform well on less nutrient-dense hay, like in this case.
You may get the same results by supplementing a grass hay diet with alfalfa pellets or cubes.
You could feed alfalfa to performance horses an hour or two before work or competition, at which time acid might splash up into the nonglandular area of the stomach and cause discomfort (where the cells of the lining do not produce protective mucus).
Horses with a need for extra muscle, particularly along the topline, may benefit from the legume, which may be given to them by their owners.

“This approach is particularly prevalent in the East, where a large amount of marginal grass hay is given.”

Which Horses Should Not Eat Alfalfa?

According to Duren, alfalfa is a fantastic source of nutrition for sport horses, but owners should avoid providing it while horses are working hard in hot weather.
The horse’s capacity to disperse heat may be impaired as a result of the additional heat.
As Duren explains, “Additional protein cannot be kept in the body like extra fat or carbs and must be expelled,” meaning it must leave the body.
As a result, there is more urine and, thus, greater ammonia odor.
“Because ammonia is heavier than air, it is concentrated close to the earth.” While providing an excessive amount of protein is wasteful, a high-protein diet in and of itself is not harmful to a healthy horse.
As a result of their difficulties digesting and excreting protein, these patients should be kept on a very low-protein diet.
The increased body heat, water requirements, and urine output indicated above are the last things you want on an endurance ride where the horse is sweating for extended periods of time.

While endurance athletes, like any other performance horse, might benefit from limited amounts of alfalfa, Duren advises that they should not rely on it as their main or primary feed source.

Nevertheless, according to Duren, potassium levels in forage are depending on what the plants are sucking up from the soil at the time.

If I had a horse who was sensitive to potassium, I would get the hay tested rather than excluding alfalfa altogether.

Mold that appears on the undersides of legume leaves, notably alfalfa, and causes black blotches to appear on the leaves.

Ingesting this mold can cause severe sunburn in horses, which can cause major damage to the unpigmented regions of their body, according to the author. The liver damage caused by the chemicals in the mold, on the other hand, is the more significant problem with these horses.

Selecting Alfalfa Hay

According to Smith, factors like as maturity, harvest circumstances, soil conditions, and other factors might have an impact on protein, energy, and mineral levels.

Ragwort, groundsels, Johnson grass, Sudangrass, water hemlock, and hoary alyssum are some of the poisonous weeds that might appear in alfalfa fields from time to time.

Take-Home Message

Preventing Colic and Laminitis After a Horse Overeats

The 13th of September, 2011 is April 20th, 2018. Equine owners are well aware of the importance of keeping their animals and feed safe in order to avoid a loose horse from overloading on feed, since a rapid intake of a significant quantity of feed can result in colic and laminitis. Suppose Houdini escapes his stall on the one night when you failed to double-check the feed room door? What happens in such case? The first step should be to remove the horse from the source of feed and determine how much and what he has consumed; horses might experience negative consequences from consuming as little as a few additional pounds of grain if they are not accustomed to eating this type of grain.

Horses suffering from grain overload are frequently treated effectively with laxatives, mineral oil, fluids, and anti-inflammatories, among other things.
Equine owners can take efforts to avoid laminitis following a grain binge, in addition to paying attention to potential gastrointestinal consequences.
However, even if you do not now observe any clinical indications of laminitis in your horse, you should continue to bathe his feet and lower limbs in cold water as frequently as possible over the following several days.
Researchers have demonstrated that this approach may be used continuously for up to 48 hours without causing tissue damage.
As soon as you can, begin the treatment and keep it going for many days, or until your veterinarian tells you to discontinue it.
It is also recommended to keep an eye on the horse’s temperature because it might be an early symptom of endotoxemia.

If your pet’s fever increases over normal, contact your veterinarian right once. A horse that is devouring grain is always a source of concern, but with a plan in place and the advice of a veterinarian, horse owners may help to minimize the negative effects of equine overeating to a bare minimum.

0407 FG: What the hay? Dispelling the alfalfa myth in equine nutrition

Editor’s note: The following article contribution may be of use to producers who are trying to promote their alfalfa hay to the horse market. For most farmers and horse owners, deciding whether or not to feed their horses alfalfa is a difficult decision to make. There are many fallacies surrounding the usage of alfalfa, and horse owners frequently underutilize or abuse it, despite the fact that it is a high-quality horse feed. In the end, alfalfa is the ideal feed for horses since it digests readily, includes a high amount of fiber, and provides a variety of necessary vitamins and minerals.

Horse owners who have a solid understanding of alfalfa myths and the reality behind them will be better prepared to make educated judgments about what to feed their herd.
Alfalfa is a high-quality source of protein that can be easily included into practically any horse’s nutritional program with minimal effort.
In actuality, alfalfa is poorer in many nutrients than other fresh-growing pasture grasses, which make up the majority of most horse diets and provide the majority of their energy.
Protein is required for tissue development and should account for 8 to 10% of the daily caloric intake of a healthy adult horse.
The use of young alfalfa is beneficial to both foals and broodmares.
With maturation, the plant becomes thick and woody, and the nutritional content and palatability of the fruit and vegetable diminish.
For older horses, an alfalfa-grass blend may prove to be the most effective option available to them.

Keep in mind that the key to a successful horse diet is a healthy balance of bulk and nutrition.

Is it possible to consume too much alfalfa and get bloated?

It is most likely a result of the fact that alfalfa may cause bloat in cattle because of the way their digestive tract is laid up.

The most common way for cattle to expel gas is by burping up cud and re-chewing it.

This results in the appearance of being bloated.

Once consumed, alfalfa goes through the stomach and small intestine of a horse, where it is partly digested by enzymes and acids and excreted.

Despite this, experts believe that gradually introducing alfalfa into a horse’s diet can help avoid gastrointestinal issues in the animal.

There is no evidence to suggest that a modest surplus of protein is harmful to equine health, despite the fact that alfalfa may contain more protein than healthy and low-activity horses require.

When horses consume more protein than they require, the surplus hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon are converted to energy, and the excess nitrogen is expelled in the urine of the animal.

However, frequent urination does not always imply that a horse’s kidneys are at danger of being injured.

Provide horses with constant access to water in order to encourage them to urinate on a regular basis and remove extra nitrogen from their bodies.

Also, if you observe excessive pee or an ammonia smell in your barn, you may want to reduce the amount of alfalfa you feed your animals in order to reduce their protein consumption.

Because most people don’t want to take the chance of owning a colicky horse, when this myth started, it quickly spread.

Nonetheless, certain horses, particularly fat horses, are vulnerable to colic.

The majority of feed-related episodes of colic have stemmed from inappropriate alfalfa feeding practices.

Alfalfa should not be fed to horses as a free choice food; rather, it should be provided in a predetermined amount.

Horses who are given an excessive amount of alfalfa will frequently consume more than they require nutritionally in order to fulfill their desire to fill their belly, which can result in obesity.

When switching from low-quality to high-quality feed, the digestive system requires some time to adjust to the new environment.

Isn’t alfalfa a challenging crop to harvest?

Tedding, which involves fluffing and spreading hay, expedites the curing process.

Alfalfa may be planted in the spring or fall, and it thrives in well-drained soil, according to the USDA.

Tedding can be omitted on occasion throughout the summer, except during periods of excessive humidity and thunderstorms, during which tedding is a must in most cases.

Total yields are typically 4 tons per acre, but have been recorded as high as 16 tons per acre in some instances.

The most significant disadvantage of tedding alfalfa is the loss of leaves.

When tedding occurs within two hours of cutting, the amount of leaf loss is modest.

Take a look at the alfalfa that you have in the barn.

The nutritional value of alfalfa remains generally unchanged whether a horse consumes it two months after harvest or two years after harvest.

Because dry hay is more fragile than wet hay, more hay may be wasted during the feeding process.

This is most likely related to the increasing dryness in the air.

The purity of alfalfa hay – or any other type of horse feed – is the most significant characteristic.

Coughing is neither natural nor trivial, and it can cause irreversible lung damage if not treated promptly.

Furthermore, if a horse has been exposed to dust or mold, it may respond negatively when fed clean alfalfa.

As long as you maintain your alfalfa hay free of dust and mildew, it will not cause your horse to cough any more than any other type of hay will.

It is possible to take control of your horse’s health if you become knowledgeable about alfalfa and the general nutritional requirements of horses. Dennis SkiboPresident of Pequea Machine, Inc. FGDennis Skibo

Is Alfalfa a Wise Choice?

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: The following article submission may be of use to producers who are trying to promote their hay to the horse business. For most farmers and horse owners, deciding whether or not to feed their horses alfalfa is a difficult decision. Numerous fallacies surround the usage of alfalfa, and horse owners frequently underutilize or misuse it, despite the fact that it is an excellent horse feed source. Alfalfa is the ideal feed for horses due to its ease of digestion as well as the large amount of fiber it provides as well as the high concentration of vitamins and minerals it contains.

Horse owners who have a thorough understanding of alfalfa myths and the reality behind them will be better prepared to make informed judgments about what to feed their herd.
It is simple to incorporate alfalfa into practically any horse’s feeding plan since it is a high-quality source of protein.
In actuality, alfalfa is poorer in many nutrients than other fresh-growing pasture grasses, which make up the majority of most horse diets and provide the majority of their calories.
Protein is required for tissue development and should account for 8 to 10% of a healthy adult horse’s daily caloric intake.
Young alfalfa can be beneficial to both foals and broodmares in the same way.
With maturation, the plant becomes thick and woody, and the nutritional content and palatability of the fruit and vegetables diminish.
For adult horses, an alfalfa-grass blend may prove to be the most effective option available to breeders.

Take note: The balance of bulk and nutrients in an equine diet is crucial.

Is it possible to consume too much alfalfa?

This is a misconception that has been widely disproven.

During the digestion of forages by cattle, microorganisms in the rumen, or paunch, create gas.

When alfalfa is consumed, froth forms in the stomach, causing gas to be trapped in the tummy cavity.

Equine intestine arrangement, on the other hand, differs from that of humans.

Because the plant is in this semi-digested form before reaching the large intestine, there is reduced possibility of gas trapping in the large intestine when it is consumed.

Is it possible that alfalfa may cause renal disease in my horse?

Protein is made up of amino acids, which are compounds that include hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon atoms in different proportions.

When horses are fed high-protein diets such as alfalfa or other forage, they tend to urinate more often than when they are on low-protein diets.

The high protein content of alfalfa will only cause renal dysfunction if the horse already has a kidney problem.

The production of thick, dark urine by horses fed alfalfa and having very limited access to water is a symptom that their kidneys are not functioning at their best.

What about colic, you might wonder.

Horse owners who believe this have never had to deal with it are in the minority of the population.

Feeding Alfalfa to overweight animals is most likely not a good idea.

Given that it has a higher concentration of protein and calories, it should be consumed in moderation.

Consequently, because alfalfa has higher nutritional value than grass, less alfalfa hay is necessary to fulfill the nutritional needs of a horse.

If horses aren’t given enough time to acclimate to a new diet, switching quickly from a mature-grass hay diet to an alfalfa hay diet might result in colic.

Over a one-to-two-week period, gradually integrating alfalfa into your horse’s diet will aid in preventing colic.

Alfalfa may now be harvested swiftly and efficiently, thanks to the most recent advancements in tedding technology.

The use of Tedding can also shorten the standard curing period of three to five days by up to one day.

Because of the wetness in the ground, tedding is also required for the first cut in the spring and the final cut in the fall.

Alberol is harvested three to four times a year in most climates, however yields vary according on the locale and state of ripeness at the time of harvest.

Later cuttings increase output, but at the expense of nutrient content.

If there is an excessive amount of time between cutting and tedding, the leaves might dry up and fall off the plant.

Surely, after a year, the nutritious value of alfalfa will have diminished?

In a dry area, it can be used for feeding for an extended length of time after harvesting if it has been stored properly.

Occasionally, hay that has been stored for an extended period of time becomes dry.

Longer amounts of time spent in storage make hay more susceptible to dust accumulation.

Isn’t it fine if a little mold grows on the alfalfa plants?

If the alfalfa includes dust or mold, it is likely that your horse may cough as a result of the feeding process.

In horses, chronic lung injury, often known as “heaves,” will impair the animal’s ability to breathe freely and exercise normally.

Aside from the potential for health consequences, moldy hay should never be provided as part of a horse’s diet, according to the American Horse Council.

Finally, introducing alfalfa into a horse’s diet allows owners to tailor the nutritional requirements of their animals to their specific needs.

It is possible to take control of your horse’s health by being knowledgeable about alfalfa and the general nutritional requirements of horses. President of Pequea Machine, Inc., Dennis Skibo (FGDennis Skibo).

Alfalfa Myths vs. Facts

False: The high protein content of alfalfa contributes to osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a joint ailment that affects juvenile horses. Fact: Eating a lot of protein does not make you prone to OCD. Low protein intake, on the other hand, is a risk factor for OCD. What is true, however, is that the mineral profile of alfalfa is extremely imbalanced, and this may lead to OCD. In development horses, the high calcium content of alfalfa can help to avoid osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and other bone issues.

The goal is to have adequate mineral levels in the body in the proper proportions.
The truth is that a high protein diet is not damaging to the kidneys.
In order to cope with the increased demand, the horse will drink more water and produce more pee.
However, the protein in alfalfa isn’t the cause of this.
Fact: Alfalfa hay is no more likely than any other form of hay to trigger an allergic response in humans.
False: Alfalfa cannot be fed to HYPP horses due to the high potassium content.
It is possible that they are much higher depending on when they were harvested.

Although the exact origin is unknown, it is thought to be connected to alfalfa’s greater concentration of sugar in the form of glucose as well as its higher starch content.

This appears to be tolerated by the majority of adult horses, although it is not recommended for pregnant mares or developing horses.

While working hard, horses may experience “thumps” or muscular difficulties, while lactating mares may suffer from weakness and muscular problems at the beginning of their lactation period.

Horses will drink more as a result, resulting in wetter and odorier stables.

It requires a low enough moisture level to prevent mold growth, but it cannot be stored in such a dry environment that all of its leaves shatter and fall off.

For example, stomach problems may be a more serious problem in the spring and fall, when huge temperature variations can cause fast changes in the composition of the plant, especially while the plant is in bloom or harvest.

Because there is a strong probability that the horses will seek out and consume the alfalfa first, and the grass second, having an alfalfa-grass mixed pasture may not be very beneficial.

Due to the fact that this is where the majority of the nutrients is located, this can be a significant nutritional loss.

Fines can be incorporated into a meal or wetted down somewhat to make it more palatable for horses with respiratory sensitivity, but in general, the particles are too big to be taken into the lungs by horses.

Although it is not the ideal food,.

Image credit: asset upload file377 6647.jpg asset upload file377 6647.jpg asset upload file377 6647.jpg It is common for horses to require an additional dose of calcium or protein in their meals, and alfalfa is a great natural supplier of both minerals.

Many parts of the country have more easily accessible and more fairly priced alfalfa than grass hays, particularly in the Midwest. Make careful to seek assistance from a nutrition consultant on how to properly balance your feeding regimen if you are using alfalfa as your main hay source. SaveSave

Fix It With Feed Part 3: Alfalfa Is More Helpful Friend Than Foe

Alfalfa is a favorite of horses, and it provides them with a plentiful supply of calories and minerals. AZP Worldwide/Fotolia is a photography agency based in New York. This is the third piece in the “Fix It With Feed” series. The first two articles can be found here. Look for more articles on nutrition and how it affects performance every Wednesday on this blog! Alfalfa hay is green and lush, and horses adore it, but it has a bit of a negative image in the horse world because of its terrible reputation.

It’s simple: no.
However, alfalfa is not suitable for every horse; thus, before deciding whether or not to include alfalfa in your horse’s feeding schedule, it is necessary to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of alfalfa feeding.
According to Dr.
The importance of selecting hay that meets the nutritional needs of one’s own horses should not be underestimated by horse proprietors.
Would alfalfa be a suitable option for him to consume?
Similarly, an adult amateur hunter who competes once or twice a month and has no issue maintaining a healthy weight may do the same.
When it comes to high-level athletes who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight, it’s an excellent alternative as well.

According to Tania Cubitt, Ph.D., a nutritionist with Performance Horse Nutrition LLC, “If he’s an easy keeper and maintains well on feed, grass hay, and pasture, then you probably don’t need to bring in any alfalfa.” “Alfalfa would be a good choice for the tougher keeper or the better performing athlete who has to consume more calories to maintain condition.” “Broodmares and developing foals have higher calorie requirements, as well as protein and mineral requirements, and they benefit from alfalfa,” says the author.

There are plenty of nutrients in it.

A comparison of the nutrients found in alfalfa and other forages is presented.

Forage	Energy (Mcal/kg)	Protein (%)	Calcium (%)
Alfalfa	2.30	15-18	1.3
Timothy	1.95	6-9	0.4
Brome Grass	2.05	6-11	0.3
Spring Pasture	2.40	20-26	0.4

According to the USDA, “In general, alfalfa has more energy than other grass hays, which contributes to its poor image. Excess calories are converted to energy. Yes, if you don’t give your horse adequate exercise, it might affect his temperament and cause him to get a bit agitated. The same result would be achieved, though, if I gave him too much grain and did not exercise him,” Cubitt explained. For a difficult keeper, Alfalfa is especially beneficial because of its excellent palatability—horses adore the taste of the plant.

“When compared to grass hays, alfalfa is often lower in fiber, higher in calories, higher in protein, and higher in calcium.” According to Lawrence, because alfalfa is richer in calories and protein than most other crops, “consuming alfalfa makes it simpler to achieve those demands with minimum, or at the very least reduced doses of supplementation.” With its high calcium content, alfalfa must be provided with consideration for the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the diet.

In contrast to grass hay, feed concentrates (particularly rice bran) provide lesser quantities of calcium and phosphorus whereas larger concentrations of calcium and phosphorus are found in grass hay.
Check out the website of Susan Evans Garlinghouse, DVM, for additional information on the calcium-phosphorus ratio and other nutritional topics.
A large number of farms on the West Coast of the United States feed just alfalfa without experiencing any complications.
It is possible to get mixed hay with great nutritional quality in both the alfalfa and grass, but because alfalfa grows sooner in the spring than grass hay, it is more difficult to locate mixed hay with excellent nutritional quality in both the grass and alfalfa.
If excellent quality baled alfalfa is not available, alfalfa pellets or cubes can be substituted; 1 pound of pellets or cubes is equivalent to 1 pound of hay.
Early-cut alfalfa, harvested when the plant is in the process of budding and before it blooms, is the most nutritious since the amount of protein and total digestible nutrition in the plant decreases as the plant grows older.
In the case of a horse that does not require the high amounts of protein and energy provided by alfalfa, feeding a late maturity cut of alfalfa is the most recommended option.

It also has stomach soothing properties.

Twelve horses were fed a pelleted concentrate and Bermuda grass hay in one trial, whereas twelve other horses were fed the same pelleted concentrate and alfalfa hay in another study conducted by Texas A M University.

At the conclusion of the trial, the ulcer severity ratings of the horses given alfalfa had decreased significantly, but the ulcer severity scores of the horses fed Bermuda grass hay had increased significantly.

According to Cubitt, “alfalfa is abundant in calcium, which has a buffering effect on the acid in the stomach.” “Including a small amount of alfalfa, especially before exercise, can significantly reduce stomach acid production.

If you want to give him a boost before a stressful circumstance, whether it’s trailering or competing, a little alfalfa in his hay net won’t harm.

“If cubes or pellets are more convenient, that is also OK,” Cubitt concluded.

Some people are concerned that feeding alfalfa increases the likelihood of colic.

She said that “rapid diet changes are related with colic,” and that “if you switch from grass hay to alfalfa hay all of a sudden, or if you introduce alfalfa hay all at once, you may increase the risk of colic.” Also, when excellent grade alfalfa is fed ad libitum, horses may overindulge, which may raise the risk of colic in the horses.

An ancient wives’ tale, most likely based on the fact that horses with a high protein intake tend to drink more water and pee more frequently than those with lower protein intake.

In order to help in the filtration process, a horse that is converting surplus protein to calories will drink more water, which will result in urine that has a strong ammonia smell, since the nitrogen is expelled as urea.

Some people believe that alfalfa hay will make a horse hot and agitated.

Alfalfa, on the other hand, has a substantial quantity of calories, and an excess of calories in any form, whether from alfalfa, grain, or oil, combined with a lack of activity can result in an overly active horse, according to the American Horse Society.

Read Part 1: You Don’t Need a Ph.D. to Solve the Protein Puzzle for more information. To continue reading, go to Part 2: Feeding A Hard Keeper Requires Extra Calories and Patience.

Does alfalfa cause inflammation in horses?

Is alfalfa hard on horses kidneys?

What happens if a horse eats too much hay?

Can too much alfalfa cause laminitis?

How much alfalfa is too much for a horse?

Can alfalfa cause diarrhea horses?

Can alfalfa cause stocking up in horses?

Can alfalfa cause colic in horses?

How much alfalfa should a horse eat a day?

Can too much hay cause colic?

Will horses overeat hay?

Will a horse with colic poop?

Can alfalfa make a horse lame?

Is alfalfa good for older horses?

Can you free feed alfalfa to horses?

3 Benefits and Dangers of Feeding Alfalfa to Horses

Now, let’s consider the risks and the benefits of feeding alfalfa…

Meet Elisha

All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa – The Horse

Alfalfa Goes Way Back

Which Horses Benefit From Alfalfa?

Which Horses Should Not Eat Alfalfa?

Selecting Alfalfa Hay

Take-Home Message

Is It Dangerous For A Horse To Eat Alfalfa?

Answers

Leave an answer

All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa

Alfalfa Goes Way Back

Which Horses Benefit From Alfalfa?

Which Horses Should Not Eat Alfalfa?

Selecting Alfalfa Hay

Take-Home Message

Preventing Colic and Laminitis After a Horse Overeats

0407 FG: What the hay? Dispelling the alfalfa myth in equine nutrition

Is Alfalfa a Wise Choice?

Alfalfa Myths vs. Facts

Fix It With Feed Part 3: Alfalfa Is More Helpful Friend Than Foe

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