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  Discussion on Appr. 30 year old QH prefers eating alfalfa,how much is safe?
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Member:
paardex

Posted on Sunday, Jun 7, 2009 - 12:50 pm:

Well Rhonda came home for retirement[Mike's old horse]. She is an appr. 30 year old QH big type and as far as I can find out partly TB. She was skinny could see ribs but in two weeks time no ribs visible anymore. She seems in good health [teeth ok coat ok very lively] but has a horrible swayback[? I mean a very sunken back this is the right English term I hope?] so she is completely retired and 'pasture puff'.
She now eats unlimited bermuda two flakes alfalfa[morning and evening] 2 cups senior feed[obviously new to her] and about two pounds of carrots. Lives in a big pen and goes out in about an acre'pasture' with Tax during the day.
The bermuda is the problem, she doesn't like it. She loves alfalfa and could use a bit more weight so I would like to up alfalfa is there any reason[apart from to much energy] to not feed alfalfa ad lib? Any suggestions as to how much other 'geriatric owners' would go?
Oh she also eats per Dr O's advise human vitamins in advised dosage and has min.salt lick, and got dewormed instantly.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Jos
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2009 - 7:06 am:

Hello jos,
We discuss this issue at Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Alfalfa, Clover: Legumes in the Horse's Diet.
DrO
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2009 - 10:55 am:

IMHO if she needs more weight I personally would up her alfalfa(or senior feed) until she gets to a good weight. Not fat though. Since shes older I would keep a close eye on her body condition. It seems like a very hard balancing act for the geriatrics, doesnt it?
swayback is the term..the ravages of time and gravity.
Cheers
L
PS It is a very common practice, in AZ, to feed an alfalfa only diet..... I personally dont do it but I know there are tons and tons of people that do. (especially ropers)
Member:
paardex

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2009 - 11:33 am:

Thanks Dr.O I read it.
Thanks Leslie just why I mailed I am a bit uncertain as to how to handle a horse like this[never had an oldie like this and never one that refuses Bermuda more or less, the pigs eat everything as long as its good quality until they burst]
She definitely can do with a bit more weight but not to much. And with the senior and carrots and the half flake of bermuda I get down I guess for the rest unlimited alfalfa[amounts in her situation to about two big flakes] will not be dangerous.
Just wanted to check to be sure
Jos
Member:
jjrichar

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2009 - 11:39 am:

My mom's pasture horses live on Alfalfa... they get these huge (1000 lbs) square bales of Alfalfa or Alfalfa/Orchard mix and DrOp several of them right in the pasture every few weeks. They 'graze' on them as they want, just like they would pasture grass. They get no grain. Only salt and mineral blocks. Her pasture horses are all at healthy weights, slick & shiny, and never get sick. (knock on wood)

In my opinion, Alfalfa is easier to digest often easier to chew than some of the grass hays, which is great for geriatric equines. It sounds like what you are doing is working since she has covered her ribs and her coat, etc. looks good.

So, to me, if your senior mare loves her alfalfa, let her have it. Just watch her weight like Leslie said, as alfalfa can put weight on a horse pretty quickly. I wouldn't worry about her not eating the Bermuda either. Most horses won't even look at Bermuda if they have alfalfa to pick from and in fact, it can be very hard to try and feed both hays. If mine even smell alfalfa in the barn they will stand and 'beg' at me and not touch their grass hay. LOL
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