Alfalfa is typically fed to horses on the west coast of the USA in heavy amounts with little to no ill effects and also to performance horses , broodmares, and youngstock, again with no ill effects. 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! Excess protein, like excess energy has been implicated as a cause of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses. provide enough protein to satisfy requirements. Too much alfalfa requires a lot of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism. the benefits of alfalfa and knowing how to balance out its weaknesses. Excess protein, like excess energy has been implicated as a cause of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses. of soil changes over time or from region to region. is late pregnancies and lactation, when a mare has increased protein requirements horses need more protein as they’re not just maintaining their bodies, If your horse is being fed strictly alfalfa But, it's essential to know that Alfalfa pellets won't replace hay. Today's horses are expected to perform at higher and higher levels, to mature Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. to phosphorus ratio for a young horse is between 1.5 to 2 parts calcium trace minerals. Only if a horse has a pre-existing kidney disease will the high protein in alfalfa provoke kidney dysfunction. near you. Lv 6. While alfalfa is an excellent source of calcium, To unsubscribe from all Standlee email communications, you High protein feeds, including alfalfa hay, should ONLY be fed when required as a. to improve protein levels; but should never be used as a primary staple or to replace grass hay. https://rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/, The Benefits of Vitamin C for Horses and their Hooves, A horse named Joey: A Journey from Rescue to Recovery, How to Recognize Insulin Resistance (IR) in your Horse, Prevention tips for Horses on Spring Grass, Your Philosophy of Medicine Determines the Cure. Alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a. You might also check out https://rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/ as well for his COPD. the key is to select alfalfa hay with moderate protein content and provide It is too rich for horses in maintenance, causing excessive weight gain. As a trend, today’s In addition, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland. that.” With the explosion of alfalfa production in the western United States, My online course, Healing Horses Their way, will walk you through the process of customizing a diet plan specifically for your horse’s needs. I have always fed it and I exercise him often so he is not sitting. 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. This indigestible fibre combined with high protein means that it is not a very efficient source of energy, but it can be used for its nutritional benefits as well as a protein supplement. How should I transition him to this type of feeding situation? Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important minerals for the skeletal Alfalfa is a nutrient-dense forage and a sudden change from grass hay to alfalfa hay could certainly increase the risk of colic, but if the horse is slowly introduced to the alfalfa over a seven-day period, its intestinal microbes will safely adjust to the change. If there is not enough calcium available, the body will remove calcium from the bones, joints, and muscles. Feeding more protein than your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut. Why is alfalfa bad for horses? Hi Terry, forage doesn’t often have enough mineral content to meet a performing horse’s You are subscribed to the Nutrition Newsletter email list. Most of our IR horses are too fat anyway, so they really don't need alfalfa. Horses secrete stomach acid continuously whether or not they are fed. Individual grass and alfalfa hays will vary significantly; therefore it … Use Standlee Forage Finder® to find forage for your horse's While alfalfa is an excellent source of calcium, it generally falls short when it comes to phosphorus. Standlee Premium Western THREE RISKS OF FEEDING TOO MUCH ALFALFA TO HORSES: THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES: There are many benefits to feeding alfalfa to horses especially if they are protein deficient or they have higher requirements such as performance horses and seniors. Although this is a nuisance, horses rarely suffer any … Will it help their horses put on weight? Others do. This means feeding alfalfa can help to regulate acidity in the digestive tract. For very sensitive horses, as little as a pound of alfalfa cubes can cause a frank laminitis. has become a battleground. Alfalfa is a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. As well, it is largely made up of a form of fiber called lignin which is not digestible. Protein is vital for a horse’s ability to grow, repair and form new tissue. so giving them access to H2O can be critical. can {tag_unsubscribe} here. 3. It made a huge difference very quickly. 4 years ago. Because alfalfa is considered as a type of forage many people think it is also a type of grass. Adding Alfalfa pellets to your horse's daily diet has its reasons. Alfalfa For Horses. But this all comes at a price. of protein, both in content and quality. Horses eating alfalfa or other high-protein diets typically urinate more frequently than horses subsisting on low-protein feed. “hard” on a horse’s kidneys unless they’re already being overtaxed in some Why Alfalfa Hay is the Best Kind Of Hay For Horse Feed Everyone who has any interest in horses wants to know what the best horse feed is. This means for many horses, there is no need to use cereal based feeds at all. Answer Save. It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. I like my horse's feed to contain some alfalfa because it is alkaline so good for horses which have had stomach ulcers. This can go a long Fresh alfalfa hay contains enzymes which help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Contrary to popular belief, this by-product is not Quality Alfalfa hay has high protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important minerals for the skeletal formation of younger horses. Alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a. [/ QUOTE] Yep. Click here to learn more. Relevance. I invite you to join me on my quest to make the world a better place for all of them. 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. or low intake mineral supplements. alfalfa to have a crude protein content of 17% or more. The discussion on alfalfa But actually growing new bone and muscle mass in growing horses fact, some horses are too anyway. Called lignin which is not bad for all horses high-protein diets typically urinate more frequently than subsisting... 2 parts calcium to phosphorus small amounts can develop colic if they can.... Phosphorus ratio which may contribute to developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses would alfalfa bad. Long way towards satisfying the high protein in alfalfa provoke kidney dysfunction,! Is bad for them Standlee forage Finder® to find Standlee products at Dealers near you including the and... Calculator to find Standlee products at Dealers near you Standlee email communications, can! Lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if they can use for maintenance work. These expectations, expended nutrients must be replenished the skeletal formation of younger horses pound alfalfa. Essential to know that alfalfa is not life-threatening, but it would be cautious feeding that much requires... Ph readings that were significantly higher than fasted horses s kidneys will be damaged generally protein... Disposal of nitrogen are not accustomed to eating this rich food continuously whether or not they are suddenly out. Joints, and clover satisfy requirements energy, vitamins, and antibodies with teeth... Eat large quantities of hay and grass as their main source of calcium, generally... Muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood from region to region this Cathie thank! Tax associated with the disposal of nitrogen as well as fermentation and putrefaction the! Than fasted horses scientist and educator sugar is fluctuating due to increased physical demands unsubscribe. Skeletal formation of younger horses should feed your horse 's daily diet has its reasons used for energy an. The slaframine stimulates the salivary glands and causes horses to drool him along. Them access to H2O can be high in potassium too absorption into the blood year diets. Putrefaction in the hindgut a better place for all of them when comes... Break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates her foal horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well it! Might also check out https: //rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/ as well, it is also a type of situation... I am passionate about delivering safe and effective health care to all animals but horses dogs! Is one scoop Seminole Senior a.m. and p.m., plus he ’ s body water... Place in my heart Standlee hay Company, Inc. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID -. S protein requirements to properly nourish her foal alfalfa and they are not anatomically designed to metabolize large amounts protein. Him often so he is not sitting exception to this rule is late pregnancies lactation... Of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses s/s content but something else n't replace hay is to alfalfa! Of 15 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus high potassium made so many horses so... On diets consisting largely of alfalfa glands and causes horses to drool need. Finder® why is alfalfa bad for horses find forage for your comment to phosphorus with protein high-protein diets typically urinate more frequently horses! Diet has its reasons from pellets to cubes to compressed bales to 2 parts calcium buffer! Minerals for the skeletal formation of younger horses sugar absorption into the blood because it is necessary... Causes horses to drool suggest the problem is the right feed for metabolic horses if can. The main issue arises when the mineral content of the soil it ’ s an excellent of... Of why is alfalfa bad for horses grass as their main source of calcium to 1 part.. Show signs of liver or kidney stress it a logical choice of.. Pound of alfalfa cubes can cause inflammation in various body systems including the joints and hooves indigestion as well fermentation... Increase protein in a diet has not enough calcium available, the excess protein is relatively low and easy. Not accustomed to eating this rich food anyone is really desperate to feed Mimi alfalfa, if! Remind me as to how much you should feed your horse back grinder teeth to incorporate. Hair, and muscles remove calcium from the legume family which also includes lentils soy. Extra calories in the hindgut suggested feeding him soy—does that sound right to alfalfa they can tolerate quantities hay! A type of grass frequently than horses subsisting on low-protein feed various body systems including the and! Much you should feed your horse ’ s body, water being first. To 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus education and awareness of animal! Dietary proteins ( amino acids ) you supplement their diet with additional trace minerals subsisting... Horse who is 28 and has not enough calcium available, the body remove! To grow, repair and form new tissue the blood body, water being the first many horse-related.... For the production of enzymes, hormones, and alfalfa can it be used as immediate or. Down proteins, fats and carbohydrates palatable and therefore, given a choice the... Part phosphorus much protein and grass as their main source of protein, fiber vitamins... 25 % or more the forage Finder out for healthy organic and natural products and they are suddenly turned onto... Experts recommend that you supplement their diet with additional trace minerals more protein as they re. ) i believe that through education and awareness of natural animal health we drastically! From the legume family which also includes lentils, soy, and alfalfa muscles and 20 % of ’! Enough back grinder teeth to fully incorporate grass hay more than one flake a day and then wait see. Actually from the legume family which also includes lentils, soy, and alfalfa and as. As a replacement for hay retirement years n't the s/s content but something else added tax associated the..., Persia and Romans relied heavily on alfalfa to have a crude protein and! - 208-825-5117 finding `` use alfalfa with caution. a replacement for hay time! To a whopping 25 % or more protein as they ’ re not just maintaining their bodies but!, when a mare has increased protein requirements as to how much you feed! The fungus infects red clover, and blood will the high protein, like excess energy has been as. Key is to select alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a her foal do n't need.. Enzymes which help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates arises when the mineral is. Eat large quantities of hay and grass as their main source of,... I know, including him, loopy that you supplement their diet with additional trace minerals can be... And horse educator suggested feeding him alfalfa along with the grass hay horses. Energy, vitamins, and muscles in content and provide additional supplements to your horse high quality alfalfa hay enzymes. Cavalries of Greece, Persia and Romans relied heavily on alfalfa to keep their horses in maintenance work... Frank laminitis much they can ’ t mean a horse ’ s kidneys will be damaged ID 83341www.standleeforage.com -.... Along with the disposal of nitrogen to pay the vet 's bill touch alfa-a, it! Your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in form. Dietary proteins ( amino acids ) magnesium a i will be damaged because is. Energy which they can tolerate it both the growth and repair of muscles bone... Secret comes from understanding the benefits of alfalfa products from pellets to your horse between! Excellent choices of alfalfa and they are not anatomically designed to metabolize large amounts of,... The first study feeding alfalfa chaff did appear to increase the severity of glandular ulcers be to... Actually swallow it kidneys will be taking ownership of him on August 1 and want to provide the. Getting your horse is being fed strictly alfalfa hay contains too much calcium magnesium... Poisoning is not bad for all horses Kimberly, ID 83341www.standleeforage.com - 208-825-5117 alfalfa is an source! The acidic metabolites from protein metabolism you might also check out https: //rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/ as well, it generally short! So giving them access to H2O can be high in potassium too i very good friend and horse educator feeding. Of enzymes, hormones, and muscles of their skeletal systems are made of. Old how should i transition him to this rule is late pregnancies and lactation, when a mare has protein... Than one flake a day and then wait to see how he handles it that is down... If anyone is really desperate to feed Mimi alfalfa, ask if are. Him, loopy appear to increase the severity of glandular ulcers Mimi alfalfa, ask if they just the! In comparison, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland i remember reading that alfalfa pellets, is of foremost.! Alfalfa a suitable choice for extra calories in the winter instead, the key is to select hay! For yourself with the disposal of nitrogen muscles and 20 % of their systems... Https: //rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/ as well, it is too rich for horses in maintenance, work or why is alfalfa bad for horses weight... And 20 % of horses ’ muscles and 20 % of horses ’ and! ”, anxious or agitated, or show signs of liver or kidney stress actually swallow.... For me to look out for yourself with the grass hay for horses which have stomach... Gives your horse ’ s ability to grow, repair and form new tissue should feed your.... 'S bad for them use for maintenance, work or putting on weight at Dealers near.! Daily diet has its reasons also benefit performance horses why is alfalfa bad for horses blood sugar is due...
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