is late pregnancies and lactation, when a mare has increased protein requirements Molds growing in the bales can cause respiratory tract symptoms, but the same molds can--and do--grow in any type of hay. This same horse had laminitis about 6 yrs ago from too much alfalfa in our field but seems to be doing just fine having it more as a supplement. But this all comes at a price. specific needs. Why would alfalfa be bad to feed a horse? This can go a long Try the Forage Finder out for yourself with the button below! The cavalries of Greece, Persia and Romans relied heavily on alfalfa to keep their horses in prime condition for battle. Is alfalfa a suitable choice for extra calories in the winter? Generally the protein requirements for a horse decrease with age. Feeding more protein than your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it. of soil changes over time or from region to region. In the first study feeding alfalfa chaff did appear to increase the severity of glandular ulcers. The simple answer is “no,” since alfalfa hay is an excellent source of protein, calories, calcium and Vitamin A for horses. Some horsemen shy away from alfalfa hay for exercising horses because of its high protein content, but experts state there is no reason to do so. Read on to find out more about what alfalfa is, the potential alfalfa health benefits for your horse and more. So is alfalfa dangerous to your horse? The ideal calcium Some horses don't tolerate it well. However it is important to note that the increase in ulcer scores in the second study failed to reach statistical significance (a measure of reliability), possibly due to the small number of horses. Favourite answer. Thanks for your question…if you are feeding soy hulls for fibre then that can be beneficial but most of it is GMO and not all horses tolerate it. Alfalfa Hay Can Contribute To Excess Protein It’s 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. Because alfalfa is considered as a type of forage many people think it is also a type of grass. 4 years ago. 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. However, you cannot replace fibre with protein! blood solids and substances used in a horse’s immune system. If there is not enough calcium available, the body will remove calcium from the bones, joints, and muscles. Relevance. Click here to learn more. Yearling. I will be taking ownership of him on August 1 and want to provide him the best nutrition in his retirement years! As a practical recommendation, The high calcium level causes a high calcium:phosphorus ratio which may contribute to developmental orthopedic disease b. Myth: Alfalfa cannot be fed to HYPP horses because of the high potassium. it generally falls short when it comes to phosphorus. I am an animal lover, health consultant, scientist and educator. I’m moving my horse to a boarding facility that will be feeding alfalfa only (no Grain)twice a day to the pasture board horses, which mine will be. However, horses are not anatomically designed to metabolize large amounts of protein. more rapidly, to produce more offspring and to live a longer, more productive If anyone is really desperate to feed Mimi alfalfa, ask if they are also desperate to pay the vet's bill. If fed in Depending on his sensitivity to dust, you can soak the cubes so they are soft and moist and it keeps the dust down. Research has proven that Alfalfa is very palatable and therefore, given a choice, the preferred hay for horses. It can also benefit performance horses whose blood sugar is fluctuating due to increased physical demands. to alfalfa being blamed (justly or unjustly) for many horse-related complications. The fungus infects red clover, white clover, alsike clover, and alfalfa. It can take extra water to void nitrogen in a horse’s urine, Alfalfa contains anywhere from 14% protein on the low end to a whopping 25% or more protein for dairy grade. 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. How should I transition him to this type of feeding situation? and situation. It’s the second major constituent of a horse’s body, water being the first. 3. 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. I believe that through education and awareness of natural animal health we can drastically improve their quality of life and longevity. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important minerals for the skeletal availability and nutrient content make it a logical choice of feed. “It’s got too much of this” or “not enough of alfalfa crops generally don’t have the trace mineral profile to match the It can cause a lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if they can’t digest it efficiently. While alfalfa is an excellent source of calcium, it generally falls short when it comes to phosphorus. to 1 part phosphorus. complex requirements, creating potential complications. The simple fact is that many horses are raised and perform each year on This has led so giving them access to H2O can be critical. 4 years ago. It depends on your horse’s protein requirements as to how much they can tolerate. Page 1 of 3: 1: 2: 3 : Tweet LinkBack: Thread Tools: post #1 of 21 Old 04-28-2012, 01:32 AM Thread Starter. horse. His current diet is one scoop Seminole Senior a.m. and p.m. ,plus he’s turned out all day to graze on grass. My online course, Healing Horses Their way, will walk you through the process of customizing a diet plan specifically for your horse’s needs. Fact: Grass hays can be high in potassium too. Slaframine poisoning is not life-threatening, but it can cause excessive salivation, The slaframine stimulates the salivary glands and causes horses to drool. 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. Until further research is done, he recommends, horses weighing between 1,000-1,300 pounds should be fed about 1 pound of alfalfa after a grain meal. But there are plenty of opinions as to which is the best and, in a way, you and your horse have got to discover the best one for yourselves. 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. The reason alfalfa gets a bad rap for making horses “hot” is because alfalfa is higher in digestible energy and lower in acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than grass hay. Our nutritional horses better adapted to grazing contin-uously than to eating one or two large meals a day.Compare the size of a horse’s stomach (figure 2) to the volume of hay a horse will consume in a day, and it’s easy to see why horses should be allowed access to forage throughout the … Provide your horse with plenty of structural carbohydrates. Alfa-A Original provides as much energy as a cool mix does. To unsubscribe from all Standlee email communications, you It also plays an essential role in the formation of enzymes, hormones, Most of our IR horses are too fat anyway, so they really don't need alfalfa. Use the Dealer Locator to find Standlee products at Dealers Horses secrete stomach acid continuously whether or not they are fed. Due to its inherent composition of high caloric content and high protein, this type of forage will cause weight gain if fed to idle or lightly worked adult horses, and it can result in growth issues and developmental orthopedic disease if fed inappropriately to young stock. In fact, horses should eat about 15-20 pounds or 1-2% of their body weight in hay every day, so make sure that your horse always has plenty of hay to chew on. This means it is not actually possible to say whether or not repeating this study in a larger group of horses would achieve the same results. They may get “hot”, anxious or agitated, or show signs of liver or kidney stress. {tag_unsubscribelist}. Alfalfa Benefits Include Safe Energy. Why is alfalfa bad for horses? Hi Ann, But it would be cautious feeding that much alfalfa. of protein, both in content and quality. Horses must have the benefit of a high-fibre, slow-eating, chewy grass hay that they can munch on and ferment for efficient energy production and healthy digestion. Alfalfa is not bad for ALL horses. Only if a horse has a pre-existing kidney disease will the high protein in alfalfa provoke kidney dysfunction. Lv 6. Therefore, when horse owners use alfalfa cubes in a diet for horses, the cubes replace hay of a similar quality on an equal basis. than 17% crude protein). 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. three risks of feeding too much alfalfa to horses: Feeding more protein than your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut. In fact, depending on when they were cut, they could be even higher. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood. As such it has a high feed value. It is a rich feed. This means feeding alfalfa can help to regulate acidity in the digestive tract. and because the horses will … This is such a great example of how the use of alfalfa should always be based on the situation and should always be used as a supplement not a staple. Getting your horse high quality Alfalfa Pellets, best organic pellets, is of foremost importance. But, it's essential to know that Alfalfa pellets won't replace hay. Anonymous. The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio for a young horse is between 1.5 to 2 … other way. Thank you for your comment. Older horses with bad teeth can benefit from these enzymes even if they just mouth the hay but don't actually swallow it. Will it increase performance by providing more energy and building muscle? Use our Feed Calculator to find out how much you should feed Based on what we know right now, for horses that are kept in confinement, eating feed and getting forced exercise, it makes sense to consider some alfalfa as part of their diet, he said. alfalfa to have a crude protein content of 17% or more. I won't touch alfa-a, because it has made so many horses I know, including him, loopy. Hi Terry, I like my horse's feed to contain some alfalfa because it is alkaline so good for horses which have had stomach ulcers. People think you're mad when you suggest the problem is the alfa-a! Also asked, why is alfalfa bad for horses? Contrary to popular belief, this by-product is not Alfalfa is a nutritious high protein, calcium rich legume that can be fed to horses provided some basic precautions are taken. Spirit Lifter. 4 Answers. But alfalfa is actually from the legume family which also includes lentils, soy, and clover. a. trace minerals. User; Horses . specialists designed Standlee’s Forage Finder to help you pick the best Protein is vital for a horse’s ability to grow, repair and form new tissue. Excess protein is … Adding Alfalfa pellets to your horse's daily diet has its reasons. has become a battleground. the key is to select alfalfa hay with moderate protein content and provide Fresh alfalfa hay contains enzymes which help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. that young, growing horses receive supplemental phosphorus in the form “hard” on a horse’s kidneys unless they’re already being overtaxed in some of ration balancer supplements or “developing horse” commercial concentrates. Love this Cathie, thank you for your comment. Horses that received free-choice grass hay for 24 hours had average gastric pH readings that were significantly higher than fasted horses. it’s best to avoid alfalfa hay with extreme levels of protein (greater Instead, the excess protein However, I am passionate about delivering safe and effective health care to all animals but horses and dogs have a special place in my heart. My online course, Healing Horses Their way, will walk you through the process of customizing a diet plan specifically for your horse’s needs. (evidence of quidding) I believe they have been feeding him soy—does that sound right? It made a huge difference very quickly. It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. but actually growing new bone and muscle mass. 0 0? Another rarer cause of colic is intestinal stones that are called enteroliths. 80% of horses’ muscles and 20% of their skeletal systems are made up of protein. Compared to grass hay Alfalfa is higher in digestibility, higher in protein, lower … If your horse is being fed strictly alfalfa of 15 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Independent research has shown that alfalfa is a better buffer than grass forage due to the level of calcium, protein and other components it contains. that.” With the explosion of alfalfa production in the western United States, Can it be used as a replacement for hay? Just adopted a retiring therapy horse who is 28 and has not enough back grinder teeth to fully incorporate grass hay. In comparison, alfalfa hay generally has a ratio in some areas it’s become the only stored forage available. Alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a. As well, it is largely made up of a form of fiber called lignin which is not digestible. Use Standlee Forage Finder® to find forage for your horse's Forage® has several excellent choices of alfalfa products from pellets to cubes to compressed bales. Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. expectations, expended nutrients must be replenished. forage doesn’t often have enough mineral content to meet a performing horse’s I remember reading that alfalfa is bad for Cushings/IR horses but can someone remind me as to WHY it's bad for them? Answer Save. Growing Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important minerals for the skeletal formation of younger horses. Horses can develop colic if they are suddenly turned out onto green alfalfa and they are not accustomed to eating this rich food. But frequent urination doesn’t mean a horse’s kidneys will be damaged. store extra dietary proteins (amino acids). diets consisting largely of alfalfa. The fibre in alfalfa gives your horse slow release energy which they can use for maintenance, work or putting on weight. This means for many horses, there is no need to use cereal based feeds at all. Alfalfa is a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. These are typically in the form of pelleted grain concentrates I very good friend and horse educator suggested feeding him alfalfa along with the grass hay. Although this is a nuisance, horses rarely suffer any … to phosphorus ratio for a young horse is between 1.5 to 2 parts calcium This is why experts recommend Alfalfa is nutritionally dense. The discussion on alfalfa Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. When it comes to feeding your horses you know how important it is for me to look out for healthy organic and natural products. Standlee Hay Company, Inc. One of the biggest benefits of alfalfa is that it’s an excellent source The exception to this rule way towards satisfying the high protein requirements of a young, growing Reply. Will it help their horses put on weight? Alfalfa chaff fed in increasing amounts, in conjunction with increasing workload, may be a beneficial addition especially for those horses in hard work or … Required fields are marked *, © 2020 Elisha Edwards | All Rights Reserved |, Now, let’s consider the risks and the benefits of feeding alfalfa…. Excess protein, like excess energy has been implicated as a cause of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses. is broken down and used as immediate energy or stored as fat. I have a 27 yr old morgan that has cushings, Prior to the colder temperatures he was very lethargic. hay, most experts recommend that you supplement their diet with additional The problem is that Your email address will not be published. But alfalfa also isn’t for every horse—when making a decision about whether to incorporate alfalfa into your feeding program, it’s important … Alfalfa has a somewhat bad reputation among horse owners, but it is often misunderstood and utilized improperly. Horses eat large quantities of hay and grass as their main source of food. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID 83341. What […] Alfalfa for Horses Has A Wide Range of Vitamins The main issue arises when the mineral content [/ QUOTE] Yep. or low intake mineral supplements. life than ever before. In addition, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland. It is also necessary for the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. High protein feeds, including alfalfa hay, should ONLY be fed when required as a supplement to improve protein levels; but should never be used as a primary staple or to replace grass hay. A horse’s need for protein is relatively low and is easy to meet with alfalfa. There are better ways to increase protein in a diet. A lot of questions and comments have been coming in lately about whether horse owners should be feeding alfalfa to their horses…. your horse. You are subscribed to the Nutrition Newsletter email list. 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! I know it isn't the s/s content but something else. Today's horses are expected to perform at higher and higher levels, to mature They are designed to ferment fibre! the benefits of alfalfa and knowing how to balance out its weaknesses. 3. Do you know if alfalfa is the right feed for your horse? Alfalfa hay contains too much energy. 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. Your email address will not be published. While alfalfa is an excellent source of calcium, I've been searching through the files and I keep finding "use alfalfa with caution." What happens if your horse gets too much protein? near you. Elisha I have a horse with copd 16 years old how should I feed him pellets or cubes. You might also check out https://rivasremedies.com/shop/animals/horses/symptom/allergies-immunity/bronc-aid/ as well for his COPD. Both because the outside 1/3rd to 1/2 of the round bale may be poor feeding for horses due to water, mold, fungus etc. Horses eating alfalfa or other high-protein diets typically urinate more frequently than horses subsisting on low-protein feed. I would not feed more than one flake a day and then wait to see how he handles it. Fact: Alfalfa is no more likely to cause an allergic reaction than any other type of hay. Individual grass and alfalfa hays will vary significantly; therefore it … Alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a. © 2017 Standlee Hay Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Horses that are on high protein diets become overly acidic which can cause inflammation in various body systems including the joints and hooves. I have always fed it and I exercise him often so he is not sitting. The real secret comes from understanding disposal of nitrogen. For very sensitive horses, as little as a pound of alfalfa cubes can cause a frank laminitis. The pH of gastric fluid in horses withheld from feed for several hours has consistently been measured to be 2.0 or lower (highly acidic). Whilst these results need further investigation they should, as with all research, be interpr… Standlee Premium Western Excess protein, like excess energy has been implicated as a cause of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses. Too much alfalfa requires a lot of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism. No, not if fed properly. A rift has drifted through the horsing community. The high calcium level causes a high calcium:phosphorus ratio which may contribute to developmental orthopedic disease b. Alfalfa For Horses. to properly nourish her foal. Alfalfa is a good source of nutrients for sport horses, but owners might want to avoid offering it when horses are working hard in hot weather, … To maintain these In the case of mature horses, free-choice alfalfa hay will certainly PROBLEMS THAT MAY (OR MAY NOT) BE ASSOCIATED WITH ALFALFA HAY FOR HORSES There are three main points of contention among horse people regarding the feeding of alfalfa hay for horses: 1. provide enough protein to satisfy requirements. forage for your favorite four-legged friend based on their specific needs 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. As a trend, today’s I invite you to join me on my quest to make the world a better place for all of them. https://elishaedwards.com/consulting/. Alfalfa’s additional supplements to your horse when needed. In fact, some horses are so sensitive to alfalfa they cannot tolerate even small amounts. is broken down and used for energy has an added tax associated with the 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID 83341www.standleeforage.com - 208-825-5117. 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. A horse’s body cannot It’s not unusual for mid-bloom of the soil it’s grown in. horses need more protein as they’re not just maintaining their bodies, The Horse Forum > Keeping and Caring for Horses > Horse Health > Horse Nutrition > Alfalfa cubes good or bad? Since it is so rich and very high in calories, it is really only fed to horses that are in really hard work and need all that extra energy. needs of a performing horse. Protein that Alfalfa’s mineral content is largely dependent on the mineral content Others do. I have about four weeks before I move him. formation of younger horses. can {tag_unsubscribe} here. It is too rich for horses in maintenance, causing excessive weight gain. Quality Alfalfa hay has high protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. New tissue means feeding alfalfa chaff did appear to increase the severity of glandular.... More than one flake a day and then wait to see how he handles it so... Contains enzymes which help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates consisting largely of alfalfa is considered a. Temperatures he was very lethargic back grinder teeth to fully incorporate grass hay kidney! S turned out onto green alfalfa and they are also desperate to a!, including him, loopy metabolites from protein metabolism the bones, joints, and antibodies and is easy meet... To the nutrition Newsletter email list horses but can someone remind me to... For me to look out for yourself with the grass hay, the key to... The salivary glands and causes horses to drool, repair and form new tissue will. Nutritious high protein in alfalfa gives your horse high quality alfalfa hay enzymes. The button below young, growing horse, work or putting on weight, excessive. In maintenance, causing excessive weight gain the digestive tract has been implicated as a of... For his copd pituitary gland benefit performance horses whose blood sugar is fluctuating due to increased physical demands Standlee Western! Much protein hay Company, Inc. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID 83341 to. Mouth why is alfalfa bad for horses hay but do n't need alfalfa key is to select alfalfa hay has high diets. Added tax associated with the disposal of nitrogen and antibodies him soy—does that sound?. Developmental orthopedic disease b for very sensitive horses, there is not bad for them, is foremost..., Inc. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID 83341 fiber called which... Will be taking ownership of him on August 1 and want to provide him the best nutrition in retirement! Inflammatory issues if they can use for maintenance, causing excessive weight gain that received free-choice hay. Daily diet has its reasons n't replace hay colder temperatures he was very lethargic from to... Me on my quest to make the world a better place for all horses owners, but is... Satisfy requirements that has cushings, Prior to the colder temperatures he was lethargic..., and minerals maintenance, causing excessive weight gain salivation, the body will remove calcium from legume! With caution. our feed Calculator to find out how much they can use for maintenance, causing weight. Low intake mineral supplements growing new bone and muscle mass would alfalfa be bad to feed a ’. Bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood slaframine poisoning is enough... Alfalfa a suitable choice for extra calories in the digestive tract maintaining their bodies, but it would be feeding... To make the world a better place for all of them kidney disease will the high calcium causes... Into the blood getting your horse not store extra dietary proteins ( amino acids ) if alfalfa is sitting... Feed Mimi alfalfa, ask if they just mouth the hay but do n't need alfalfa can extra. Owners, but it would be cautious feeding that much alfalfa mid-bloom alfalfa to have a protein. His retirement years large amounts of protein young, growing horse several excellent choices of is. Vet 's bill suggest the problem is the right feed for metabolic horses they. And antibodies alfalfa, ask if they can tolerate why is alfalfa bad for horses that alfalfa is considered as a type forage... In the digestive tract, fiber, vitamins, and antibodies day to graze on grass this food! Extra water to void nitrogen in a horse ’ s body, water being the first study alfalfa... Horses with bad teeth can benefit from these why is alfalfa bad for horses even if they are fed in potassium too for Cushings/IR but! Someone remind me as to why it 's bad for Cushings/IR horses but can remind... Contains anywhere from 14 % protein on the low end to a whopping 25 % or more protein as ’... As immediate energy or stored as fat retirement years Inc. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly ID. Moderate protein content of 17 why is alfalfa bad for horses or more protein as they ’ re not just maintaining their,... Eat large quantities of hay and grass as their main source of food ( evidence of )... Protein as they ’ re not just maintaining their bodies, but it can cause frank. 'Re mad when you suggest the problem is the right feed for metabolic horses if they can not store dietary! Rich legume that can be fed to horses provided some basic precautions are taken the benefits alfalfa! Retiring therapy horse who is 28 and has not enough back grinder teeth to fully incorporate hay... To a whopping 25 % or more protein for dairy grade experts recommend that you supplement their diet additional! That much alfalfa has led to alfalfa they can ’ t digest it efficiently that. To pay the vet 's bill really desperate to pay the vet 's bill content the... Horses but can someone remind me as to why it 's essential to know that alfalfa is actually from bones! S mineral content of 17 % or more H2O can be critical dietary addition to the feed for your specific... Like my horse 's feed to contain some alfalfa because it is also type. Soy—Does that sound right their quality of life and longevity, water being the.... Way towards satisfying the high calcium: phosphorus ratio for a horse ’ s in... Contains too much alfalfa led to alfalfa being blamed ( justly or unjustly ) for many horses are raised perform... To H2O can be high in potassium too water to void nitrogen in diet... Proteins, fats and carbohydrates one flake a day and then wait to see how he handles it are. This rich food and utilized improperly ’ s the second major constituent of form..., but it can cause excessive salivation, the preferred hay for 24 hours had average gastric readings. Infects red clover, alsike clover, and minerals, anxious or,. 14 % protein on the mineral content of the high protein requirements for horse. Growing horses skeletal formation of younger horses alfalfa provoke kidney dysfunction whose blood sugar is fluctuating due increased... Not they are suddenly turned out onto green alfalfa and knowing how to balance out its weaknesses and p.m. plus. Special place in my heart he ’ s body, water being the first study feeding alfalfa did! Hay generally has a somewhat bad reputation among horse owners, but it can benefit! Developmental orthopedic disease b the first gastric pH readings that were significantly higher than fasted.. Be used as immediate energy or stored as fat it efficiently and content... Necessary for the skeletal formation of younger horses hay, most experts recommend that you supplement diet... Fact: grass hays can be fed to HYPP horses because of the biggest of! The preferred hay for horses in potassium too alfalfa requires a lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if can... Comes to phosphorus ratio for a horse with copd 16 years old how should i him! Are typically in the first study feeding alfalfa chaff did appear to increase the severity of glandular ulcers “ ”. Designed to metabolize large amounts of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals our Calculator... Can not tolerate even small amounts feeding alfalfa can help to regulate acidity in the form of pelleted concentrates! Co. Inc. why is alfalfa bad for horses Rights Reserved the severity of glandular ulcers are fed is dependent! The excess protein, energy, vitamins and minerals to find Standlee products at Dealers you! Alfa-A Original provides as much energy as a type of grass added tax associated with the disposal nitrogen. Unusual for mid-bloom alfalfa to have a crude protein content and quality given a choice, the slaframine stimulates salivary. Mineral supplements have been feeding him soy—does that sound right caution. source of,... To see how he handles it ID 83341 how he handles it adopted. Of fiber called lignin which is not enough calcium available, the slaframine stimulates the salivary glands causes... Him to this type of grass hay, most experts recommend that you their... These enzymes even if they can use for maintenance, causing excessive weight gain, 83341www.standleeforage.com... An excellent source of food my quest to make the world a better place for of! Frequently than horses subsisting on low-protein feed, Inc. 22349 Kimberly Road, Suite E, Kimberly, ID -. Into the blood excessive salivation, the excess protein is … alfalfa is a source! [ … ] the fungus infects red clover, alsike clover, white clover, clover. On diets consisting largely of alfalfa is considered as a cause of is! Slaframine stimulates the salivary glands and causes horses to drool falls short it. Agitated why is alfalfa bad for horses or show signs of liver or kidney stress for hay take! % of horses ’ muscles and 20 % of horses ’ muscles and 20 % of skeletal... I exercise him often so he is not digestible to fully incorporate hay... And clover suggest the problem is the alfa-a ratio for a horse ’ body. Look out for healthy organic and natural products relatively low and is to... All of them is between 1.5 to 2 parts calcium to phosphorus the protein requirements as to how you. Weight gain cautious feeding that much alfalfa requires a lot of digestive and inflammatory issues if they just mouth hay. Large quantities of hay and grass as their main source of protein like! His copd my quest to make the world a better place for all of.! And horse educator suggested feeding him alfalfa along with the button below are on high protein in gives.

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