Can horses eat just alfalfa?
4 min read
Asked by: Regina James
Alfalfa hay may not be the best feed for all horses in all situations, but it contains nutrients needed for many classes of horses. Grass hay falls short of meeting the nutrient requirements of high production life stages, but is an excellent filler for horses that require bulk in the diet.
Can a horse eat too much alfalfa hay?
They may get “hot”, anxious or agitated, or show signs of liver or kidney stress. In fact, some horses are so sensitive to alfalfa they cannot tolerate even small amounts.
How much alfalfa can you feed a horse?
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.
Jul 31, 2019
Can a horse live on alfalfa cubes?
The mixed grass or corn plant/alfalfa cubes are recommended if fed as the sole source of forage to adult maintenance horses. Straight alfalfa cubes will contain more protein and calcium than the normal adult horse needs, but will not harm the horse as long as its kidneys are functioning properly.
Can a horse colic on alfalfa?
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.
What is the most nutritious hay for horses?
Legume Hay for Horses
Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.
Dec 2, 2015
Can too much alfalfa cause laminitis?
Because alfalfa hay is more nutrient dense than typical grass hay, more care needs to be taken when feeding alfalfa. 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.
What does alfalfa do for horses?
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 alfalfa good for older horses?
Therefore, the key to feeding older horses is to use high quality protein from sources like alfalfa, soybean meal and canola meal without oversupplying their requirements.
Does alfalfa make horses pee more?
Because alfalfa is high in protein and because excess protein will normally be converted to urea, a horse that gets more than its share will urinate more than usual.
Does alfalfa cause bladder stones in horses?
Although it’s not known why horses develop bladder stones, one theory is that high levels of calcium in a horse’s diet may contribute to the problem, and alfalfa contains significantly more of that mineral than grass hays.
Does alfalfa gain weight 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.
How do I build my horse’s topline?
Hill work is an excellent way to build topline under saddle. Riding up and down hills increases the activity of the muscles in the hindquarters, the back and the abdominal muscles. A slow trot or walk is going to be most beneficial in the early stages.
How much alfalfa should I feed my horse to gain weight?
About 4500 additional kcal per day over the normal amount fed should achieve half a pound of gain per day. This could be accomplished by adding 2 pounds of Strategy (3000 kcals) and 2 pounds of alfalfa hay (approximately 1800 kcals) per day, or maybe 2.5 pounds of Ultium (4750 kcal).
