This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Endocrine System » Equine Metabolic SynDrOme and Insulin Resistance »
  Discussion on Alfalfa dilemma
Author Message
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 - 12:31 am:

Dr.O. I made a BIG mistake when estimating how much hay to get last year, think I am going to be about 100 bales short. Usually this isn't a problem I have many hay suppliers and can usually get my hands on that much.

I called all of them and they are ALL out of hay except my last resource, all he has left is an alfalfa mix. I went and got a bale to have a look at it, and it is VERY VERY nice hay...YUP about 50% alfalfa. Gave the horses a small leaf each...2#'s at the most and they thought they died and went to horse heaven

FME the fat ones get fatter very easily on any alfalfa and much more prone to founder. I have enough grass hay left that I if I could feed a little less and give some of the alfalfa hay I could stretch my grass hay until 1st crop...I hope!

Right now they get about 10#'s each of grass hay. If I gave them each 4#'s of 50% alfalfa how much should/could I cut their grass hay so they don't pack on the pounds. It is not the best situation for them but it is all I can come up with. I don't really want to cut their grass hay any further without adding something, it is rather poor quality and they already stand around with nothing to eat for quite a bit of the day.

BSC = 6 Hank and Flash, Sam is closer to a 5 and that is too much going into grass season.

They get no concentrate other than 1 cup a day of alfalfa/timothy pellets for supplements.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 - 8:18 am:

Diane, for every pound of alfalfa hay you feed you will need to remove about 2 lbs of grass hay. Adjustments will then need to be made based on changes in the horses condition.
DrO
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 - 8:47 am:

Great thanks Dr.O. Too bad I don't have "normal" horses this hay is excellent and a very good price

I'm just going to get 20 bales and re-evaluate

Thank you
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Mar 6, 2010 - 7:18 am:

I added the alfalfa to the horses diet and have been very careful with amounts, the 2 old ones are doing well on it so far...Hank has turned into a raving maniac at feed time.

They get 1.5 lbs at each feeding and he loves it so much he goes nuts waiting for it.

It really is stretching my grass hay tho. I am going to weigh them today and see if they have gained or lost any weight... I really cut back the grass hay.
Member:
cometrdr

Posted on Monday, Mar 8, 2010 - 1:51 pm:

Diane - My two boys are getting some alfalfa now too - at 9 bucks a bail compaired to 15 I thougth it was time to try it - Plus they have an acre and a half 24 * 7 turn out now to run it off. they only get one Flake at lunch time for a 'treat' where before they were two flakes of Grass hay. so yea the 2 X mix seems to be about good for what I have seen. From an attitude change perspective, sometimes they are a wee bit bonkier but mostly not adverse affect.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2010 - 6:47 am:

Hank seems a little more "wired" on it... could be spring fever too... or maybe his hooves feel better. I weighed him yesterday and he hasn't gained anything... but his crest looks bigger
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