Stephen Duren, PhD, equine nutritionist and founder of Performance Horse Nutrition, in Weiser, Idaho, says this is because alfalfa provides amino acids needed for muscle regeneration. Additionally, it supplies more nutrients than most nonworking horses need, leading to obesity and its associated issues. Years following drought typically see more blister beetles, as do central states such as Kansas and Oklahoma. , because the extra calcium acts as a buffer against stomach acid. Today, alfalfa still grows best in well-drained soils rather than wet soils. due to the lower amount of nonstructural carbohydrates,” says Martinson. “Alfalfa is a perennial legume, grown in most regions of the U.S. for horses and other livestock,” says Krishona Martinson, PhD, associate professor and equine extension specialist in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Animal Science, in Falcon Heights. To steer clear of these, buy hay from a reputable person or company that knows how to grow alfalfa weed-free. She says alfalfa is ideal for horses on high planes of nutrition, such as lactating broodmares, growing horses, thin horses, racehorses, performance horses, or young foals that aren’t getting enough milk. The simple act of chewing creates more saliva, which also helps buffer stomach acid, says Lea. When feeding alfalfa, there is a difference between alfalfa cubes, bales and pellets. Hay moisture meters can be purchased to give you an accurate measurement. Always follow the recommendations in your state regarding scouting for and controlling blister beetles.”, Some owners believe alfalfa makes horses “hot,” but Martinson says there’s no scientific basis for this. Endurance athletes can benefit from small amounts of alfalfa, just like any other performance horse, says Duren, but make sure it’s not their sole forage source. Beetles killed by the haying equipment can end up in the hay. It can be detrimental, however, to horses with impaired kidneys or liver. “With growing horses, however, use caution in amount fed, simply so they don’t grow too quickly or get too big too fast and become at risk for, Alfalfa is also suitable for horses prone to. Alfalfa is quite delicious, and horse will readily eat it. Generally, the same paddock (partitioned division of a field) should not be grazed more than four days in a row, though this can vary depending on the size of the paddock and number of animals. Dave Kraeer adds, “We always plant a mix of timothy and alfalfa new seedings with oats as a nurse crop. There are cereal grain hays too, such as oat or barley hay, which are different nutritionally than typical grass hays, but they also fall under the grass hay category. Common grass hay includes orchard grass, timothy and coastal Bermuda, less common are bromegrass and fescue. Of the horse feed containing alfalfa, 100% of the samples were contaminated with the alkaloid pyrrolizidine, which is poisonous to the liver of horses. While feeding extra protein is wasteful, a high-protein diet in itself does not hurt a healthy horse. Such grains deplete the soil of its nitrogen and legume hays, such as alfalfa, add necessary nitrogen back to the soil. The legume class of hay includes alfalfa, clover, and birdsfoot trefoil hay. , or an excessive amount of potassium in the blood, which causes their muscles to contract more readily than normal and makes them susceptible to sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis. When looking for good-quality alfalfa, be sure it’s clean with no dust or mold—just as you would with any hay. To determine if alfalfa hay fits into your feeding program, consult with an equine nutritionist. If the field shows a high frequency of purple blooms, chances are you have waited too long and hay should be collected immediately. Introduction 2. Some horses with unpigmented skin should not eat alfalfa because they could be prone to. “With growing horses, however, use caution in amount fed, simply so they don’t grow too quickly or get too big too fast and become at risk for DOD (developmental orthopedic disease),” Martinson says. Fresh alfalfa hay is the best to use as a horse feed. Ammonia is heavier than air and concentrated near ground level.”. This added heat can impair the horse’s ability to dissipate heat. References “Extra protein cannot be stored in the body like extra fat or carbohydrates and must be excreted,” says Duren. When sowing, be cautious not to sow seeds too deeply. Alfalfa will take better in the presence of high amounts of phosphorus and potassium. 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, says Duren. For livestock feed, alfalfa can be collected as blooms begin to open and used for hay, or broadcast and used for grazing. Alfalfa (/ æ l ˈ f æ l f ə /), also called lucerne and called Medicago sativa in binomial nomenclature, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae.It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. You should begin to … It’s readily available and commonly fed, so it’s a logical foundation for many horses’ diets. Alfalfa will grow better if started after the last frost of the spring, once established grass stands in other locations start to show steady growth. Also aim for a good leaf-to-stem ratio (most of the nutrients are in the leaves; the stems are more fibrous). Seeds should be sown at a depth of approximately ¼", and no deeper than ½". Other horses that do best with limited alfalfa are horses with the genetic muscle disease hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP). As always, consult an animal feed expert, veterinarian, or other qualified professional before initiating any feeding regime. This creates more urine and, thus, more ammonia odor. “The beetles will be very concentrated; if you find one or two you will usually find many.” He adds that 99% of bloomed hay won’t have beetles in it. Once established, alfalfa is hardy and will grow with relative ease. Binomial Name: Medicago sativa There are many different types of hay for horses that are under these two categories. Commonly fed legume hays are Alfalfa and clover. Some horses with unpigmented skin should not eat alfalfa because they could be prone to photosensitization caused by black blotch disease, says Martinson. Fact: Grass hays can be high in potassium too. Most Popular. “The first (and sometimes second) cutting of alfalfa almost never contains blister beetles because it is generally cut and baled ahead of when the adult beetles emerge.”. Seeds sown deeper may not be able to break through the surface of the soil. Alfalfa will grow better if started after the last frost of the spring, once established grass stands in other locations start to show steady growth. Cut the grass or alfalfa using a scythe or shears. A well-kept pasture also is the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest. Ideally, the soil should have a pH between 6.5 to 7.0. It was one of the first domesticated forages, planted and harvested in what is now Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan several thousand years ago. However, this can be somewhat difficult to assess. “Potassium levels in forage are dependent on what the plants are pulling out of the soil, however,” says Duren. For that purpose, please find our contact info in the legal notice. THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES: 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. Provide it with long-stem hay or straw bedding to chew to keep it … “It should be a green color, meaning there are more leaves and the hay is not weathered or rained on before it was put up,” says Smith. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18-24 inches. If growing for hay, sow seeds 4-6" apart and thin to 6-12", depending on rate of growth and other factors. A horse eating more protein than the body can use will also drink more water (to help flush out the additional waste products). “It can also be beneficial to horses with muscle problems that are prone to ­tying-up (due to their increased protein needs) or horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) due to the lower amount of nonstructural carbohydrates,” says Martinson. Of blister beetles, ” says Duren soil to ensure good seed to soil contact, plan for least... Plant alfalfa isn ’ t recommend feeding straight alfalfa to endurance horses due to protein! Today, alfalfa and clover are the two legume hays that are most commonly fed to horses with resistance. 3 % of mass rotated to allow enough time for regrowth between grazings, vitamins, and minerals orchardgrass! | contact us online leaves ; the stems are more fibrous ) need the high nutrition of. While receiving essential vitamins and minerals s high potassium content horses require trace minerals to combat skeletal distress help... 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