Re: RC: Re: alfalfa diet for horses that "tie-up"

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/27/00 9:37:19 PM Pacific Standard Time, gesaeqfx@pe.net 
writes:

<< When I STOPPED feeding alfalfa my appy mare stopped tying up.  Havent had 
an
 episode since.  Cant understand why someone would recommend feeding it to a
 horse that ties up.  Now Im curious to hear the answers from the ones in the
 know.   Thanks in advance.     >>

Depends entirely why your horse is tying up.  Some have difficulty with 
calcitonin and calcium regulation, and for those, feeding a daily ration that 
is rich in calcium (such as alfalfa) can be a problem.  For others, there are 
various aspects of carbohydrate metabolism that are the issue.  For still 
others, there are micronutrient deficiencies.  All present with the same 
clinical syndrome, which is tying up.  But to accurately deal with the 
problem, you have to get back to the root cause (or causes) for each 
individual horse.  It always bothers me to see anyone assert that "one" 
particular method will "handle" tying up--it is actually a group of problems 
with one manifestation rather than a single problem.

If your mare stopped tying up when you stopped feeding alfalfa, then she was 
likely one for whom calcium was the major issue.

Heidi