This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses »
  Discussion on High protein levels
Author Message
New Member:
Nicol

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2006 - 1:11 am:

I have been told that the protein levels of alfalfa in our area are approx. 20 - 25%. I have also been told to avoid alfalfa b/c the protein levels were too high. The only reason cited to me was it hurts the kidneys and it make the horses hot. I read in the overview article that alfalfa does not hurt the kidneys but that is with the 18%, what about between 20 and 25% (for 1st & 2nd cutting)

Currently I feed an orchard grass but have been thinking of switching to a mix or feeding alfalfa in the a.m. and orchard grass in the p.m. This is b/c it is more available, costs less and I have been researching that the calcium in alfalfa can coat the stomach prior to feeding grain to assist in controlling ulcers.

Also why else would protein be bad? I understand that protein gives & sustains energy over a longer period of time verses complex carbs that give short bursts of energy.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2006 - 2:30 am:

Nicole, 25% is a bit too much, you may want to dilute this by mixing it with other hay.

Too much protein in one go will pass undigested into the large intestine, where not only it is totally useless but it ferments producing heat and ammonia. The horse will sweat easily and you may actually smell the ammonia in the urine and DrOppings. I do not know whether this damages the kidneys, but an ammonia rich environment can cause respiratory problems and I believe that it ruins the hooves.
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2006 - 8:39 am:

Firstly i would think it depends on your horse and the age. is it a broodmare? or an old hack horse? then determining content is important. a mare that is in foal might need and utilize the protein content. An older non working horse will not. too much protein turns into Non structural carbohydrates (sugars), which might work against the horse. And the example christos gave might be at issue, too. But a non-working horse the % is just way too high. Plus if its that high i wouldn't feed any grain at all. Does your horse have ulcers? Does it graze too? so you supplement minerals? all these things factor into the question.


Too much protein does cause a "hot" horse. one reason alone most people don't feed too high of protein. it can cause foundering and laminitis issues. it can create secondary problems like ulcers.
New Member:
Nicol

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2006 - 12:49 pm:

Thanks for your responses so far.

I board 5 horses and the sixth is mine. Each is on their own feeding program tailored to the individual horse. Here's a sample:

My guy is a 7 year old 1/2 arab/sb X in a high work program & competing at TL & 1st level dressage. Hot but brilliant. Free choice orchard grass hay, recommended amount of safe choice grain for his work level, 2c beet pulp, joint supplement and quiessense. am & pm 10 hour per day pasture turn out, which gets cut back when the rains come.

17 year old arab stallion competing 2nd level. am alfalfa (he looses weight if not on it) and orchard grass at night, has hay in front of him all day/night. pasture for 10 hours, slightly more amount of grain recommended by safe choice, hard to keep weigh on. Yes, on a worming program. Also receives 2c. beet pulp am & pm. also joint supplements.

Another mare, very tense I do suspect ulcers, she is on the same feeding program as my horse but less work load.

Aged 25+ years, alfalfa cubes am & pm, soaked so he can chew, safe choice, beet pulp, joint supplement & smaller pasture. free choice local grass hay that's soft so he can munch.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 - 8:50 am:

I don't think there are any qualifiers statements in the article on the protein level of protein. 18% would be a very stemmy alfalfa and at the low end of the protein in alfalfa hay grown anywhere. Horses will tolerate a 25% protein diet just fine but since protein is expensive and unneeded at these levels, and because alfalfa has more MCal than some horses need, usually other diets are more practical.

But none of the above horses get just alfalfa so you really do not have to worry about a diet of 25% protein. It is the total dietary protein that is of importance. The overview article you have posted in explains more about protein in the diet and the article in this section on forages discusses more about alfalfa in the diet.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC