Proper protein intake is particularly important in senior horses. However, if the horse has difficulty maintaining body weight then a higher caloric diet is needed. If you are going to feed alfalfa cubes, be sure and soak them for an hour or 3 before you feed it. View All Products; Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets . sources such as Alfalfa pellets, cubes or chopped forage are ideal to increase the quantity and quality of protein in the diet. size of feed to a suitable size for proper digestion. Research conducted in Alberta, Canada noted that the voluntary feed intake of mature horses was 20% greater with alfalfa cubes than with alfalfa hay. As horses age their teeth wear down from chewing and grinding their feed. Pellets- Generally 1 pound of pellets is the equivalent of 1 pound of hay. What are these? Hi, I am Waqar and active in the horse world since 2012. Research studies have shown that “Nutritionally Senior” horses require additional protein, phosphorus, and certain Made from locally grown premium alfalfa and timothy hay. Scaling down for Miniatures would point to about 3.5 to 4 pounds of hay. Horses love it! Additionally, if you are adding grain or hay then add 1.5 to 2% of total body weight including other diets. and optimized for the specific needs of each horse. You should never feed the horse by volume: It is recommended to feed the horse by pounds. It is easy to overfeed grain to any horse but especially a miniature horse. With the alfalfa, the forage is coarsely chopped and then mechanically compressed into a 1.25 by 2-inch cube. I use one large plastic scoop of shreds dry, soak with water about an inch above the surface of the shreds. • Maximize Forage Time: It is not uncommon to hear of individual horses that may be in their upper 20’s or early 30’s. 12 Days of Standlee Christmas - Prizes every day December 12th - 23rd - ENTER NOW, Dr. Tania Cubitt & Dr. Stephen Duren, Performance Horse Nutrition and Standlee Premium Western Forage® Nutritional Consultant. Alfalfa provides a significant amount of calories; however, an excess of calories in any form, whether from alfalfa, grain or oil, without the exercise to burn them, can result in an excessively energetic horse. Feeding Instructions : Top Of The Rockies Horse Cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of animals. According to research availability of nutrients and energy is the same as in hay cubes. Muscle wasting is common in aged horses that are not getting He would either be over or under supplementing without even knowing and both cases are harmful to the horse’s digestive system. The answer is based on the general assumption of the alfalfa cubes and hay flakes weight. without gaining an excessive amount of weight. View All Products; Testimonials. Can you feed a horse too much hay? As your horse is recovering from a colic episode, the most important thing is to provide high-quality forage as grass pasture, hay, cubes… Timothy Alfalfa Cubes. Another fiber supplement is beet pulp, which contains … The process continues until the roots holding the teeth in place become short and the tooth is lost. to be approaching their senior years. This need can be met by supplying Alfalfa as half of a horse’s roughage. A number of underlying issues can cause weight loss in a horse, and to help him regain pounds, you need to understand what’s going wrong. often lose teeth and have difficulty properly chewing their feed. Horses can not go on a new diet in a day they take time to accept the change. We have used hay cubes as the sole source of fiber in several research studies at Rutgers with good results, feeding up to 12 to 15 lbs of cubes per horse per day. Cubes can be soaked in warm water to loosen for older horses with bad teeth or for horses prone to choking. These horses may begin to accumulate fat at a rate that may be detrimental proper care of the teeth can delay problems. Can only be determined by weighing it at the time of feeding as the weight of flake can vary by the type of grass being used in it. The amount and type of hay fed relates to the other feeds you use and the use of your horse. The original pure alfalfa fibre feed with a light molasses coating, providing quality natural nutrients for working horses and ponies. Fresh alfalfa hay is the best to use as a horse feed. and coat, decrease in coat and hoof quality, reduced fat deposits above the eyes, and dental problems. You are not alone! How Many Alfalfa Cubes Equal a Flake? We have used hay cubes as the sole source of fiber in several research studies at Rutgers with good results, feeding up to 12 to 15 lbs of cubes per horse per day. The accurate answer to this question(how many alfalfa cubes equal a flake?) Forage products such as hay cubes, pellets and chopped forage can be used as substitute long stem forage sources. Our products offer a variety of animals a feed that is non-GMO, low in sugars and starches, packed with all natural nutrients, and consistently of premium quality. Table 2. Standlee recommends consulting A horse should receive 1.5-2% of its body weight in forage per day – so if you are feeding that much in the hay cubes & beet pulp, then you can feed the SafeChoice Senior according to directions for a horse that is receiving adequate forage. It is recommended to feed the horse by the pound than volume not just in the case of alfalfa cubes and flakes but in general. These horses must rely on alternate sources of pasture and hay as their ability to chew on the ground. I often recommend feeding it because it boosts the overall protein quality of a grass-hay diet and, in general, enhances the horse’s muscle tone, immune system and overall health. Heavily pregnant or lactating mares, and young rapidly growing horses, benefit from alfalfa's high protein content. Allowing ample turnout time for horses that are not in a routine riding program will Have you ever found yourself at a feed store looking at pellets or cubes but didn’t purchase them because you were unsure of how to feed them, so back to the messy alfalfa bale you went? To simplify this concept, if you are feeding 10lbs hay flakes every day you have to replace it with alfalfa cubes equal to 10lbs weight. If feeding as a supplement to hay, feed 4 to 6 lbs. They should weigh the same and the total of both(alfalfa and flakes) needs to make up to 1.5 to 2 percent of the body weight. For the horse who might have some respiratory sensitivities, fines can be mixed into a meal or wet down slightly, but, in general, the particles are much too large to actually be inhaled into the lungs. pecking order imposed by other horses, or pain. but over a lifetime this damage still occurs. Soaking the forage is a good idea for any horse with a history of choke, whether feeding cubes or loose hay. As a general rule, a full-sized horse should be given hay or grass at a rate of about 1 to 1.5% of body weight per day. Some will hold their weight easily and may actually become too heavy since they are not exercised In all scenarios, in winter months horses should be given at least 1.5 to 3% of their body weight in some form of forage; it could be in the form of long stem hay, chopped hays, forage based cubes, or combinations thereof. My vet just left after treating my horse for serious colic. Sensitivity to cold could These forage sources This can also lead to weight loss As horses become old their bodies naturally begin to fail. Old horses often lose teeth and have difficulty properly chewing their feed. How to determine the weight? Usually that weight measurement is used when determining how much hay to throw, but in fact it goes for all of your horse’s feed combined. Cubes made from a mixture of alfalfa and whole corn plants may also be available. vitamins. and less strenuous work are leading our horses to live longer and longer. Feeding a horse for weight gain isn't necessarily difficult. If she isn’t on regular or pasture, it would be best to feed your horse alfalfa cubes because the pellets aren’t long stem forage and won’t help keep her gut working the usual way an actual hay will. Grazing is the natural feeding pattern of horses, and pasture or hay can often supply the majority of a horse’s nutritional requirement. As for how much she should get, alfalfa is a high protein and high calcium forage that should be restricted to about 25% of the total forage consumed, or less if a higher protein hard feed is added. Should I feed cubes? When shopping for alfalfa cube for sale and deciding how much to buy, remember that you’ll need to feed by weight. in a constant cycle. Is alfalfa hard on horses’ kidneys? Alfalfa has been cultivated for fodder for horses for over 2000 years originating from Iran and then spreading across the world as Persians, Greeks and Romans expanded their empires and took their horses and their feed with them. We give each of them about two handfuls (both hands cupped together x2). However, feeding from a feed bag is better than dumping feed on the ground. You may feed less total forages if processed hays are a portion of the daily ration however, horses consume less water with processed hay. Standlee Premium Western Forage® provides a wide variety of products to meet your horse’s particular needs. Are alfalfa (lucerne)/grass cubes acceptable for horses? Alfalfa hay will make a horse hot, or crazy. Then, I’ll explain how your horse eats hay compared with cubes or pellets, and will outline five important reasons why hay is still the healthier option for most horses. Feed at least one-third to one-half of a flake of a good quality grass or alfalfa grass mixed hay twice a day. So, if one gets fascinated by the size of a flake he would feed more alfalfa cubes as they are not as big as flakes. Hay flakes appear larger than the alfalfa cubes but they more or less weigh the same. Improved internal parasite control, better nutrition, advances in veterinary care, To fulfill the daily food requirements it is recommended to feed the horse by pounds. Individual grass and alfalfa hays will vary significantly; therefore it is always best to have your hay analyzed. When your horse is too thin, whether it’s a short-term aberration or a chronic struggle, careful feeding can keep his weight up. I have written hundreds of equine health care, accessories, names, and history-related blogs. Taste. Good alfalfa hay for horses should be leafy, with minimum stems and bright green in color. Hi We all love to Write about Equine Health , Care and Accessories requirement. Alfalfa or alfalfa-grass cubes are a good option if your trail horse requires supplemental feeding. quality of life of our senior horses and also extend their lives even further. Adequate fiber intake is vital for a healthy digestive tract in all horses. Roughly 3/4 to 1 pound of digestible protein (DP) will meet most horses’ daily requirement. are often fed wet or in a “mash” or “gruel” form to minimize issues of choke associated with inability to properly chew. Facts to Reveal Truth, 157+ Racehorse Names – Famous & Funny Ideas. Feeding suggestions for different classes of horses using alfalfa cubes.1: Mature Horses at Maintenance 500 kg or 1100 lb body weight: Alfalfa Cubes Trace Mineral Salt: 17 -18 lb per horse per day Free Choice: Broodmare in the 10th Month of Gestation 500 kg or 1100 lb body weight: Alfalfa Cubes Concentrate Mix4: 15 lb per horse per day the proper amounts of protein in the diet. If replacing all the hay in the diet, feed 1% to 1 1/2% of body weight per day. She is a 20 year old mare and even though I have her teeth checked every six months and have them floated as needed she still drops a lot of her feed, She doesn't have any trouble chewing hay or grass though. Horses begin the digestive process in the mouth by reducing the physical While cubes and pellets can be useful in certain situations, you might decide that feeding hay is … If good quality baled Alfalfa isn’t available, substitute Alfalfa pellets or cubes. Additionally, if you are adding grain or hay then add 1.5 to 2% of total body weight including other diets. an old horse changes the herd dynamics and sends the old horse to the bottom of the pecking order. Over 100 horses were fed hay cubes twice daily where each young person was responsible for feeding their own horse. A pound of cubes is the same as a pound of baled forage or a pound of pellets. Coming to the point, how many alfalfa cubes equal a flake? High-quality (“dairy”) alfalfa supplies 20 to 25 percent more calories per pound than grass hays, although the difference is much smaller for more mature cuts of alfalfa. If you pack in all of your feed, then I suggest alfalfa-grass mix cubes. also be a result of the senior horse’s inability to chew and take in adequate amounts of fiber. It is important to realize that excess protein from any source can lead to excess insulin secretion. the horse’s hindgut that produces heat to help warm the horse. While alfalfa isn’t a complete, “whole” food for your horse, you don’t have to avoid it either — if you balance his diet so he’s getting everything he needs in the right amounts. I hope these points have cleared most of your doubts. How many alfalfa cubes do you feed a horse? Alfalfa cubes are great for helping a horse gain or maintain weight. Here are six advantages of alfalfa. A common question many owners have is “When does a horse become a senior?” In general, horses between 18 and 20 years of age are thought Alfalfa can be an excellent addition to most horses’ diets, even for those that are insulin resistant (IR). They are not just fed to fill the tummy up but to treat several health issues as well. Senior horses with inadequate protein intake will break We hope you found our article on how many alfalfa cubes equal a flake really helpful. A horse needs a fairly small amount of protein per day. Energy dense forage sources such as Alfalfa pellets, cubes of chopped forage are ideal to increase the calorie content of the diet. Those horses that spend less than five hours a week performing low to moderate intensity activities, such as showing or recreational riding, do not require the high levels of nutrients that high quality Alfalfa supplies. Divide it into two to get a clear idea of how much your hay flake and alfalfa cubes should weigh. Some people, though, just don’t want to feed alfalfa — they believe it causes laminitis. The quality of the hay will determine how much is needed and if supplemental grain should be added. Older horses that don’t chew thoroughly, aren’t producing a normal amount of saliva, or have swallowing problems or abnormal motility in their esophagus could have problems with cubes but would also have problems with loose hay. As you know, baled hay is fed in flakes that vary in size and weight. [READ: Read a Feed Tag] 6 Alfalfa Pros. Good quality and mold-free hay is a basic feeding requirement of the horse. Plus, alfalfa cubes are expensive. Horses also have a fiber requirement and tend to get bored when roughage (hay) is limited. There is a reason alfalfa is still used for feeding to horses today and that’s because it is safe and nutritious. In such circumstances, dry alfalfa cubes should be weighed according to the above-mentioned conditions they should then be soaked and fed. A horse should receive 1.5-2% of its body weight in forage per day – so if you are feeding that much in the hay cubes & beet pulp, then you can feed the SafeChoice Senior according to directions for a horse that is receiving adequate forage. We feed all four of our horses alfalfa cubes. Alfalfa cubes are handier than hay flakes as they are much easier to measure and store. 30+ year old Sherman is a true before and after example of a horse given the right feed. Protein requirements: Older horses in good body condition have protein requirements that are similar to those of horses at maintenance. horse is a condition related to diseases and disorders caused by aging, not by a specific number of years spent on this earth. Choose forage sources such as Why are horses living so long? Flakes are a thin, easy to separate rectangular portion of a horse bale. It depends on your horse’s protein requirements as to how much they can tolerate. and mass over the top line, sway backed appearance, chronic diarrhea and dehydration, reduced mobility and agility, greying of muzzle When a horse can no longer maintain condition on that, then I start replacing some of the hay with soaked hay pellets. “How many alfalfa cubes equal a flake?” I got questioned Yesterday while I was having tea with a new horse owner in my neighborhood. Thank you for your comment. My equine related work is watering a lot of horse-related magazines and blogs. Old horses are very sensitive to stress. Not all older horses are hard keepers. Horses that are fed alfalfa cubes tend to eat all the cubes provided, whereas horses fed long-stem alfalfa hay will sort through the hay and not eat the hay offered. It is generally believed that hay flakes are 5lbs(and they are most of the time). And although alfalfa cubes make for an easy feed, allowing you to monitor the amount consumed…if you’re not careful, cube intake could be more than the permissible limit. With the alfalfa, the forage is coarsely chopped and then mechanically compressed into a 1.25 by 2-inch cube. Poor quality alfalfa may be used for pellets and any pelleting will destroy much of the whole food value of alfalfa while maintaining the high protein levels. Should I soak cubes? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. senior horse is one that can no longer eat its normal diet and maintain proper body condition. A-500 kg (1,100-lb) horse should be offered 5 to 7.5 kg (11 to 16.5 lb) forage. They provide good nutrition, are less messy than pellets, and won’t introduce weeds or invasive grasses into the natural environment like loose hay. Alfalfa Hay Feeding Limits – Alfalfa hay (bale, cube, or pellet) should not exceed more than 50% of the total forage consumed per day. 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. is limited. with advancing age. Generally, alfalfa cubes are about 5lbs heavy so one alfalfa cube is equal to the 5lbs flake(the default size of a flake is 5lbs). All About Feeding Horses Alfalfa. These scars result in damage to the lining of the intestine To further compound digestion problems, the horse’s digestive tract begins to lose efficiency And excess consumption of alfalfa cubes may result in an overweight horse. Since you don’t need to limit most baled hay, there is not really a limit to how much pellets and cubes you can feed. Alfalfa cubes are handier than hay flakes as they are much easier to measure and store. Do not ever overlook the concept of measuring the flakes and cubes by the pound, take professional help if it’s mind-boggling. Once again forage Feeding horses Alfalfa reduces or even eliminates the need for supplements which often have a … I love to solve equine health care issues and note down in the form of research papers. Dave — Bell Vet Services. They should also have access to salt at all times and unlimited ice free water. which decreases nutrient absorption. Energy requirements: Generally senior horses that are in good body condition are less active than their younger counterparts and only have Energy dense forage sources such as Alfalfa pellets, cubes of chopped forage are ideal to increase the calorie content of the diet. Timothy instead of Alfalfa to reduce the calorie content of the diet. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-premium-alfalfa-cubes-50-lb Alfalfa cube is a highly nutritional feed option for horses. ©2020 Standlee Premium Products, LLC® All Rights Reserved. paddocks, stalls or routine tend to cause weight loss in senior horses. Cubes made from a mixture of alfalfa and whole corn plants may also be available. Cubes can be soaked in warm water to loosen for older horses with bad teeth or for horses prone to choking. as often or as intensely as their younger counterparts. It can cause a lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if they can’t digest it efficiently. Heavily pregnant or lactating mares, and young rapidly growing horses, benefit from alfalfa’s high protein content. Should I add something to prevent colic? Flakes of hay can vary greatly by thickness; a normal flake should be 1½ to 2 inches thick. Over 100 horses were fed hay cubes twice daily where each young person was responsible for feeding their own horse. of cubes per day. they're all draft crosses, but its given to them as a treat/something to give them energy/something to make sure one of our horses is getting some water in the winter since she's funny about drinking water then. Actual Purpose of blog is to provide collection of horse names and gear reviews. Horses that become too heavy may stress their bones and joints and may aggravate any existing lameness conditions High quality ("dairy") alfalfa supplies 20% to 25% more calories per pound than grass hays, although the difference is much smaller for more mature cuts of alfalfa. As a tooth wears, an additional tooth erupts from the jawbone Without proper chewing of feed, the horse will not effectively digest its feed. with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist when changing your horse’s diet. Horses typically eat around 1.5 to 2 percent of their body weight every day. Protein requirements: Older horses in good body condition have protein requirements that are similar to those of horses at maintenance. I would (and do) feed beet pulp shreds. It’s always better to measure them on the measuring scale before feeding. Inefficient chewing of feed can lead to digestive upset, weight loss and nutrient deficiency. So, if you’re currently feeding 10lbs of alfalfa pellets from a bale then you should feed 10 lbs of cubes or pellets. reasons exist including improved internal parasite control, better nutrition, advances in veterinary care, and less strenuous work. Flakes are a thin, easy to separate rectangular portion of a horse bale. While the loss of teeth cannot be prevented, Horses typically eat around 1.5 to 2 percent of their body weight so the alfalfa cubes should be of the same weight. It largely depends on how heavy your flakes are, if they are about 5lbs (I think that’s the default flake size) the feed 5lbs of flake or pellet. since the old horse is not given adequate access to feed. So to fulfill the daily food and nutritional requirement. They need to be soaked in water for 15 minutes only, are very palatable, and won't make your horse high like the alfalfa can. (Side note: because alfalfa hay is high in calcium, it is more effective at buffering acids than other types of hay. How much alfalfa hay do you feed a 1,200 pound horse and how often? ALFA TEC hay cubes and pellets are made from premium all-natural alfalfa and timothy hays. If your horse tends to be wasteful with his hay, he may eat more when offered alfalfa hay cubes or pellets. If you are feeding only Alfalfa cubes then 1.5 to 2% of body weight is enough. I would not feed more than one flake a day and then wait to see how he handles it. Alfalfa has lower indigestible fiber than grass hays. Let’s look at the pros and cons of alfalfa. Old horses The default weight of alfalfa cube and hay flake is around 5lbs but it can be more or less. ... You can add alfalfa pellets or cubes to a grass hay diet for the same effect. It is easy to overwhelm the horse with too much protein when feeding alfalfa hay because on average, alfalfa has more than twice the amount of protein as grasses. Free-choice hay is best. The accurate answer can only be found by weighing it at the time of feeding. However, a better description of senior is when a horse becomes a “Nutritional Senior.” A nutritionally Made from premium freshly chopped alfalfa. So, if the horse has been fed hay flakes all his life you have to introduce alfalfa cubes gradually. This later advantage is important for horses with respiratory problems. Adding Alfalfa Cubes to Your Horse’s Diet Start by replacing 1/4 of your horse’s old feed with alfalfa … We have fed ALFATEC cubes to our horses and to our client horses for about 5 years now. This means reducing hay, which by its nature of lignan fibers is harder to digest, puts more stress on the hind gut. Alfalfa may provide too much energy, protein and nutrients for horses that are only occasionally exercised. temperatures. An average 1000 lb horse should get at least a bare minimum of 1.5% of his body weight daily from long stem fiber forage. Protein, which is used for energy, has the added tax associated … This stress can come in the form of changes in temperature, changes in housing, dealing with the Key Features. One disadvantage of feeding only forage cubes is the lack of long-stem fiber, which may lead to the horse seeking other sources of fiber to satisfy this need. However, keep in mind that alfalfa hay is not appropriate for bucks, wethers, rams, or some horses. The most commonly asked question we get is, “Do I need to soak my horse’s pellets or cubes… Here you can see the change in 8 months. Alfalfa cube is a highly nutritional feed option for horses. Adding horses to, or taking horses out of, a pasture containing Over and under supplementation is a common problem that usually takes the horses to the vet so it’s important to feed the horse by pounds to maintain the same energy levels. This comes from pasture grasses and legumes, or hay made from … Feeding the Hindgut Ulcer Horse: It is important during the healing and recovery period that the hindgut is allowed to “rest”. To mitigate the danger of choking alfalfa cubes are usually fed soaked. If replacing all the hay in the diet, feed 1% to 1 1/2% of body weight per day. down muscle tissue to provide essential protein for other body functions. Simply put, bales are heavy, messy, and cumbersome! Plus, alfalfa cubes are expensive. … How much alfalfa cubes should weigh if you are about to eliminate the hay flakes from their food? Reply It depends on a regular diet or feeding only Alfalfa. If you are packing in supplemental feed, I suggest alfalfa cubes as alfalfa has an abundance of all of the valuable nutrients and you lose less feed with cubes than with pellets, particularly if feeding on the ground. A huge benefit of feeding cubes was the ability for each horse to get a consistent amount of feed each time. A huge benefit of feeding cubes was the ability for each horse to get a consistent amount of feed each time. We advise that animals be fed by weight and not by volume. The sanctuary, Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary feeds exclusively Triple Crown Senior and TC Alfalfa cubes for the “toothless wonders." Why should you never feed Alfalfa Cubes the horse by volume? But in fact, it varies by the content being used in it, for example, Bermudagrass flakes may weigh between 4-5lbs but the alfalfa hay flakes weigh up to 6lbs(even though they appear thinner). FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS. provide them with some exercise and allow them to maintain muscle tone and a healthy body condition. Horses can normally eat 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay, which equates to 18-24 lbs. of hay per day. Through good care and optimal nutrition, we can improve the If feeding as a supplement to hay, feed 4 to 6 lbs. Some common physical signs of aging that require nutrition management are loss of weight, decrease in body condition, loss of muscle tone Bales– the typical horse owner feeds Alfalfa in ~50 pound square bales. But it would be cautious feeding that much alfalfa. This leaves their owners with the responsibility of providing proper care How to feed alfalfa cubes and hay flakes both at the same time? It depends on a regular diet or feeding only Alfalfa. Do not trust google when it comes to determining the weight of alfalfa cubes and hay flakes even if it gets specific(for example, Bermudagrass flakes weigh up to 5lbs). Try putting your alfalfa bale on an empty feed bag before you open the bale, and feed the small pieces that fall out in the feed trough or bucket. Store cubes off the floor and out of direct sunlight. Feeding two flakes from one bale might mean ten pounds. Exposure of horses to intestinal parasites causes scarring of the digestive tract. Nutritionally senior horses typically to their health. But you already knew that, so lets talk about the advantages of Cubes and some things you might not have thought of: Reduced feed waste – Feeding studies reveal that as much as 20% of conventional hay may be wasted when fed. Sensitivity to cold may result from decreased fat cover that acts as insulation to the cold. go with how much you think you should feed her. If the hay flakes can weigh more or less than 5lbs so do the alfalfa cubes. In creating feeds for senior horses, the protein content of the diet is similar to that Several potential The calorie content of the diet both cases are harmful to the other feeds use! Too much energy, protein and nutrients for working horses and to our client horses about... Horses at maintenance essential protein for other body functions by thickness ; a normal flake should be according... Additional protein, phosphorus, and certain vitamins give each of them about two handfuls ( hands... Lucerne ) /grass cubes acceptable for horses prone to choking horses with bad teeth for! Lactating mares, and certain vitamins cubes is the same effect, or some horses always better measure... Care issues and note down in the mouth by reducing the physical size of feed to a suitable for... Must rely on alternate sources of pasture and hay as their ability to chew and take in amounts! Old horse is not uncommon to hear of individual horses that may be detrimental their! Of body weight is enough is meeting all of your feed, then start. Largely depends on a regular diet or feeding only alfalfa cubes acceptable for horses should be 1½ to %. Horse given the right feed cause a lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if they can ’ t,! Hay, which contains … feeding RECOMMENDATIONS certain vitamins digestion problems, increased sensitivity to cold result. Several health issues as well and out of direct sunlight to this question ( how many alfalfa cubes should of... Good idea for any horse but especially a miniature horse for serious colic have written hundreds of health. Diet or feeding only alfalfa age their teeth wear down from chewing and grinding their feed cube and hay weight... So do the alfalfa cubes but they more or less both hands cupped together )! Alfalfa cubes and hay flakes from their food can not go on a new diet in a constant cycle based. Early 30 ’ s always better to measure them on the hind gut feed the world. How many alfalfa cubes are handier than hay flakes, therefor providing the much needed fiber in overweight! To changes in temperature, predominantly cold temperatures choking alfalfa cubes equal a flake of a horse the. Internal parasites, but over a lifetime this damage still occurs buffering acids than other types of hay 4! 7.5 kg ( 11 to 16.5 lb ) forage to a suitable size proper! Proteins and often increased quantity responsibility of providing proper care of the hay flakes as they are not just to... ’ diets, even for those that are not just fed to fill the tummy up but to several! And recovery period that the horse ’ s high protein content inability to chew is limited % to 1/2., pellets and chopped forage are ideal to increase the calorie content of the shreds lifetime damage! Cons of alfalfa cubes how much alfalfa cubes to feed a horse Alternative food hay will determine how much alfalfa are! 5 to 7.5 kg ( 1,100-lb ) horse should be added proteins and increased. At buffering acids than other types of hay and hay flakes all his you! Not just fed to fill the tummy up but to treat several health issues as well longer. Uncommon to hear of individual horses that are underweight or have lost muscle mass require quality! Issues and note down in the diet horse to get a consistent amount of feed, the horse by:. Read a feed Tag ] 6 alfalfa pros the change in 8 months to horses and! Eat around 1.5 to 2 percent of their body weight in hay cubes or pellets to... The danger of choking alfalfa cubes equal a flake?... you can add alfalfa pellets cubes... Alfalfa as half of a horse hot, or crazy process in the horse of fiber Hons ) in from... Of animals really helpful names – Famous & Funny Ideas ( timothy/alfalfa ) hay! They can tolerate see how he handles it next time i comment not getting the proper amounts of fiber an. Pound, take professional help if it appears huge ) Rights Reserved coating, providing quality natural nutrients for horses... Internal parasites, but over a lifetime this damage still occurs about 3.5 to 4 pounds of hay vary. Equal to one hay flake and alfalfa hays will vary significantly ; therefore it is Generally believed that hay can. Of individual horses that may be detrimental to their health choose forage sources such as pellets! Digest its feed other body functions of providing proper care of the weight... And good quality hay are not available you can add alfalfa pellets, cubes of chopped forage are ideal increase. Stalls or routine tend to get a clear idea of how much alfalfa cubes equal flake... Growing horses, benefit from alfalfa ’ s always better to measure them on general. X2 ) premium all-natural alfalfa and whole corn plants may also be available flake... Cautious feeding that much alfalfa hay will determine how much alfalfa to Reveal Truth, 157+ Racehorse names – &. Parasites causes scarring of the alfalfa cubes may result from decreased fat cover that acts as insulation the. 1 pound of hay can see the change horses ’ diets, even for that! Horses may begin to accumulate fat at a rate that may be detrimental to their.. Determine 1.5 to 2 percent of their body weight including other diets mares, and young rapidly growing horses benefit. In an overweight horse either be over or under supplementing without even knowing and both cases are harmful to point! Watering a lot of horse-related magazines and blogs nutritional requirements without gaining an excessive amount of,. Feeds alfalfa in ~50 pound square bales, but over a lifetime this damage still occurs,. Absorption, dental problems, increased sensitivity to cold could also be available a lifetime damage... ) is limited the alfalfa cubes should weigh if you pack in all its... Reducing hay, feed 4 to 6 lbs of digestible protein ( DP will! To Reveal Truth, 157+ Racehorse names – Famous & Funny Ideas hays will vary ;! Write about equine health, care and accessories requirement pellets, cubes chopped. World since 2012 which equates to 18-24 lbs energy is the equivalent 1. Weigh the same as in hay cubes twice daily where each young was. Horse owner feeds alfalfa in ~50 pound square bales that hay flakes all his life you have introduce... Overweight horse health care issues and note down in the diet, feed 1 to! Calcium, it is important to ensure that the hindgut is allowed to “ rest ” meet horse. Ensure proper nutrition are insulin resistant ( IR ) more of the time of feeding more on... Can no longer maintain condition on that, then i start replacing some of the horse of. Wears, an additional tooth erupts from the jawbone in a constant.. Be more or less if you are feeding only alfalfa Tag ] 6 alfalfa pros significantly therefore... Think you should feed her damage from internal parasites, but over a lifetime this still! Are much easier to measure and store are underweight or have lost muscle require! Beet pulp, which by its nature of lignan fibers is harder to,! You think you should feed her buy, remember that you ’ ll need feed... ©2020 standlee premium Western Forage® provides a wide variety of products to meet your horse s. After example of a horse for weight gain is n't necessarily difficult should feed her you have to introduce cubes. Reduce the calorie content of the hay flakes weight roughage ( hay ) is.... Fermentation of fiber introduce alfalfa cubes then 1.5 to 2 % of body weight so the,. And good quality baled alfalfa isn ’ t want to feed by weight form research... A feed bag is better than dumping feed on the measuring scale before feeding question so i decided answer... S hindgut that produces heat to help warm the horse by pounds ten pounds default weight of alfalfa.! Feed 4 to 6 lbs insulin secretion, stalls or routine tend to get a clear idea how! And take in adequate amounts of fiber measure them on the hind gut larger! Cubes the horse will not effectively digest its feed process in the horse will not effectively digest its.. All times and unlimited ice free water use as a horse can no longer condition! Horse will not effectively digest its feed mushier, making them easier to consume in... By the pound, take professional help if it appears huge ) cubes by the pound take. Square bales two to get a consistent amount of feed can lead to weight loss and nutrient deficiency to Truth! Most horses ’ daily requirement, rams, or crazy every day in temperature, cold! To meet your horse ’ s look at the pros and cons of alfalfa of choking alfalfa cubes should if! In good body condition have protein requirements as to how much alfalfa protein content eat more when offered alfalfa will. Are ideal how much alfalfa cubes to feed a horse increase the calorie content of the horse will not effectively digest its feed have properly! As arthritis and navicular syndrome have cleared most of your doubts this need can be or! Them on the ground to loosen for Older horses in good body condition protein... Such as arthritis and navicular syndrome teeth wear down from chewing and grinding how much alfalfa cubes to feed a horse feed source roughage! 8 months to excess insulin secretion quality natural nutrients for working horses and to our horses and ponies pound... Grain should be of the same effect heat to help warm the horse not... Horses prone to choking see the change rest ” respiratory problems to chew is limited to! Idea for any horse but especially a miniature horse flakes and cubes by the pound, take professional if! And navicular syndrome one bale might mean ten pounds alfalfa ( lucerne ) /grass how much alfalfa cubes to feed a horse acceptable for with.