Timothy hay feeding helps to satisfy the urge of the horse to graze and chew when they are restricted to stables for a long time. It could potentially cause them a gut ache or colic because of how rich it is. 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. Alfalfa hay, sometimes called lucerne hay, is the most popular legume hay fed to horses in the U.S., while timothy and orchard are popular grass hay choices. For horses that are stalled, or for horses that do not have abundant pasture, stored forage in the form of hay is the primary source of forage. Besides, grass is the correct feed for horses over alfalfa, but some may argue that point. Let's get started! Alfalfa hay can also be useful in the diets of horses with insulin resistance. You can always have hay tested and it is important to buy from a credible source to insure horse health. Posted by Lynnsy Johnson - Saddle Up on Feb 27th 2020. In some states it is considered to be an invasive species, as it is not a native north American grass. Something that can also be dangerous is grass has more Carbohydrates which can add to an overweight problem or different health problems. Both Alfalfa cubes and pellets have less dust than hay and are an excellent alternative forage source for horses with respiratory issues. Made of a 70/30 blend of timothy alfalfa hay, this blend supplies muscles with slow release energy during exercise and competitions. Alfalfa hay is high in good-quality protein. Certain regions can produce hay easier than others. Quality alfalfa hay has high protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. Alfalfa vs. Grass Hay - Which is better for my horse? It made a huge difference very quickly. Also if you decide to switch your horse from grass to alfalfa, be sure to do it slowly and in small amounts. I want to do the very best for my horses and make sure they are healthy. Grass hay is only 10.85% protein and 12.9% simple starches. Winter Hours (Nov 1st Through March 1st) We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. – It could be a nutritional deficiency, Communication: What Your Dog Is Trying To Tell You. Alfalfa is a very common choice for horse owners to feed. Sometimes people feed it in large amounts, like you would grass hay and with all the energy/nutrients, it will make your horse hot. This type of grass hay is just about as delicious as alfalfa. Sign up for the lastest news, sales, and clinics! Horse Hay Alfalfa + Orchard or Timothy - posted in Alfalfa/Hay: Ive always heard that the best horse hay is about a 50/50 mixture of alfalfa and grass, but which grass is best, timothy or orchard grass? My horses benefit from the Alfalfa but the mixture helps me be able to handle it better. Heavily pregnant or lactating mares, and young rapidly growing horses, benefit from alfalfa's high protein content. What kind to buy? Timothy hay is used most often as cattle and horse feed. With it lacking this much nutrition, you have to feed a larger amount of it to make sure the horse is getting what it needs. Another concern is the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio being correct. While other feeds like alfalfa hay can meet the energy needs of horses … An ideal hay for easy keepers will be in the higher end of these ranges. Your location is also a big contributor in this. The most popular choices for grasses to be utilized as horse hay are Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass making them the big two forage grasses. Important factors to keep in mind for horse hay are the nutritional needs of the animals (mature horses will not need high protein or calcium levels unless they are mares nursing foals), and the way the hay … Hay hay and more hay. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and the products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or mitigate any disease. Horses need fibre, lots and lots and lots of fibre. Mon - Sat 10:00am - 5:00pm For example, Alfalfa contains 21.2% protein and 11% simple starches. One of the most important things in a horse's diet is roughage. Horses eating large amounts of lucerne/alfalfa will have thicker, chalky whitish urine because it is full of calcium. Alfalfa hay is so packed with nutrients that you feed smaller portions to your horse. I have had two choking incidences with two different senior horses on hay pellets. Closed Tuesdays However, because of its high palatability, intake must be restricted to keep horses from overeating and becoming colicky. There are some factors to consider when choosing the right feed for your horse and we will chat about it today. Hay equals roughage. We will explore all the types of hay that are commonly fed to horses. 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. When selecting a hay, you want to look into those specific amounts. Alfalfa hay has 120 percent more energy per unit in weight than oat hay. High quality forage is critical for proper digestive function in horses. Its low protein, high fiber, and high energy content make it easily digestible. People not familiar Closed Tuesdays Sundays 12:00pm-4:00pm Finding the right balance for your horse is key to their health. A common complaint about Alfalfa is that it makes your horse hot or very energized. Timothy is a great everyday hay for adult buns, while alfalfa hay should only be fed as a treat hay because of its high levels of calcium and fat. If you are torn on the subject, you can always feed a grass/alfalfa mix. However, the high-energy content may lead to overfeeding and to a fat horse. [READ ABOUT: Enteroliths] Alfalfa Myths vs. Facts. With higher protein and energy amounts, Alfalfa is an ideal choice for a working ranch horse or performance horse. Nervous Horse? It contains more nutrients than grass hay including protein, calcium, and energy. It contains more nutrients than grass hay including protein, calcium, and energy. Some of the pros of Alfalfa include the boost in nutrients and it is a great source to help a horse gain weight. Both options have pro's and con's. It is higher in calcium which can be good and bad. It is the preferred forage for horses that are at risk for laminitis and other metabolic maladies, as well as obese horses. Alfalfa and/or alfalfa grass hay is palatable and is often a hay of preference for horses. Another downfall to grass hay, is it is just a filler. Again think about your horses age and activity level. The calcium to Phosphorus ratio being correct said that once a horse gain weight two different senior on... 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