I add alfalfa pellets as needed as a supplement. Alfalfa hay would not be the best forage for certain groups of horses. A high-fat commercial feed is fine for healthy horses. Here are some things you should know if you choose to feed a straight alfalfa diet. … Duren also doesn’t recommend feeding straight alfalfa to endurance horses due to its protein and calcium content. Fatty feeds such as rice bran, flaxseed meal, or chia seeds offer the most concentrated source of calories. For the easy keeper or insulin-resistant horse, avoid sweet feeds and those that contain oats or corn. Mix the cubes with its old feed to get its digestive tract and taste buds accustomed to its new diet. High quality hay can be an excellent source of nutrition for - including protein and calcium - for horses and ponies and is a very palatable feed.. Alfalfa is high in calcium which suppresses magnesium and it causes an imbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio of 5:1. I’m reluctant to feed him straight alfalfa, as he’s quite a hot horse by nature. I also chose this option because I am highly allergic to straight alfalfa. As for my horse, I have started feeding him alfalfa/timothy cubes as part of his forage ration. Horse hay needs to be of good quality. The last thing you want on an endurance ride where the horse is sweating for long periods is the increased body heat, water needs, and urine production described. It can be detrimental, however, to horses with impaired kidneys or liver. Horses also have a fiber requirement and tend to get bored when roughage (hay) is limited. It is cut, cured, and baled. I heard somewhere if you feed your horse 1 cup (or scoop, or whatever) of straight oats with their feed, they'll replant your field through their poo. Duren also doesn’t recommend feeding straight alfalfa to endurance horses due to its protein and calcium content. California Complete can be fed to any type of mature horse and provides a viable alternative to feeding horses straight alfalfa diets. Bales– the typical horse owner feeds Alfalfa in ~50 pound square bales. I feed alfalfa hay to all my horses,(and have for years) I know many people that do, and they have no issues whatsoever. I personally feed all our horses straight grass hay so I can feed more of it and they can spend more time munching. In fact, retired horses and those in light work may do fine on a hay- or pasture-only diet. Traditional feeds for horses include grass or alfalfa hay, corn, oats, a sweet feed of some type or commercially developed feed. Young horses should be fed a mixture of alfalfa and grass hay to help improve the Ca:P balance. The Alfa-A range are straight feeds and so should be fed alongside a stud balancer or supplement Some horsemen may be hesitant to feed hull-less oats because they believe the hulls contribute significantly to fiber intake of horses. It can be detrimental, however, to horses with impaired kidneys or liver. It is too rich in protein, calcium and phosphorus which poison the liver. Feeding alfalfa pellets does not provide enough fiber length to be an optimum fiber replacement. … Duren also doesn’t recommend feeding straight alfalfa to endurance horses due to its protein and calcium content. Alfalfa hay generally runs at least 18-20% protein, often higher. If alfalfa cubes will be its primary feed, replace 1/4 of its old feed with alfalfa cubes. It is also very crucial, no matter what you choose to feed, you feed it in a healthy portion. Add alfalfa cubes to your horse’s diet gradually, as sudden dietary changes can cause health issues. Long stem hay is the traditional baled hay. Target Feeding Rate (% of body weight to feed per day) Forage Format Feeding Change Timeframe (Duration to transition to feeding change) Horse: 0.05 to 0.2%: Pellets, Shreds: Soak in water for 15-30 minutes prior to feeding: Bison: 0.15% of total forage intake: Pellets, Shreds My horses benefit from the Alfalfa but the mixture helps me be able to handle it better. The most important thing to remember is what is best for your particular horse. Start by replacing 1/4 of your horse’s old feed with alfalfa cubes. Some Advantages Horses love it! No argument there. Grain is also too rich and should be fed in small quantities. Feeding a surplus of energy to young horses, especially weanlings, can often lead to growth problems, including contracted tendons. 1/4 alfalfa/hay or 1/2 alfalfa/hay mix is best if your horse is a hard keeper. She eats about 12-14 pounds of alfalfa per day (half in the morning, half at night) along with about 5-6 pounds of pelleted feed per day (half at morning, half at night). Feeding horses is never an easy topic to simplify since every horse is different. There are many types of hay harvested from grasses including alfalfa, timothy, clover and rye. Alfalfa cubes are more appropriate either for lactating mares or growing horses and as a partial forage substitute. My vet as a matter of fact, recommends feeding straight alfalfa (which is what I do) As far as grazing, I would imagine just like any lush field, you would want to use caution with how much access you give them. Horse owners are or should be concerned about the presence of mold in the hay they are feeding regardless of what type of hay it is. LMF California Complete is a pelleted feed that consists of beet pulp, alfalfa hay and other highly digestible fiber sources along with rice bran, oats and a complete vitamin and mineral package. I have a 14 year old Arabian mare, and ever since I stalled her up she started losing a bit of weight, so I switched her to straight alfalfa (as opposed to coastal hay). Let's look at the pros and cons of alfalfa, and explore some of the myths. Locally we get alfalfa mix, The halter horse people feed straight alfalfa because the extra cost is worth the pounds added to the horse. In 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. Some say there's nothing better. It can be bundled in 30- to 80-pound square bales or large, round or long square bales that can weigh tons. The amount and type of hay fed relates to the other feeds you use and the use of your horse. Horses on straight alfalfa also have the highest requirements for water to process metabolites of the extra protein through their urine. 14 It is a common myth that excess protein causes bone and joint problems in growing horses. Fiber is undoubtedly essential for proper functioning of the equine digestive tract. Straight alfalfa is not good for any breed. Young horses on this type of feeding program are predisposed to skeletal development issues. Both grain hays and alfalfa also have very unbalanced mineral profiles that will require careful supplementation. However, the 50/50 mix does not seem to make him overly energetic. Buy Feeding Straight Alfalfa To Horses And Feed Groom Horse Care Play Set Feeding Many horse owners may decide that a mix of legume and grass hay is the appropriate choice for their horse. Grasses commonly used as hay are brome, orchard, and timothy. When should I cut my horse’s alfalfa? Protein in alfalfa runs between 15-18% or higher. 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