Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Alfalfa Cubes - Vet Opinion, Please -- Susan?

>I recently started mixing a couple of handsful in with her >feed again,
usually mixed in with her beet pulp so that >the water softens it.  She
LOVES it.  We also offer a >pan of wet alfalfa at the vet checks at our
endurance >rides.  Last night he questioned me as to why I have >started
feeding her these cubes and suggests that I talk >to a vet about it.  He
seems to think that it might be >potentially detrimental to her, and does
not feed his own >horse any other than at rides.

I think offering a little alfalfa at rides is just fine, even beneficial.
Great source of calcium and since most horses do like it, nice way to get
more forage and feed in general into them.  I think a pan of wet alfalfa at
checks is fine, with the soaked equivalent of a few handfuls of cubes, more
or less.  Especially in really hot or humid weather, I don't think there's
an additional advantage to too much more than that at each check.  And at
some point, the excess protein in good quality alfalfa (which can go well
over 20%) can create excess waste heat during digestion that adds to the
heat load the horse has to dissipate through sweat.  At what exact point,
"enough" turns into "excess" at a ride, I don't know.  IMO, a pound or two
of alfalfa at each check is enough, and I'd prefer the rest of lunch be made
up of other feeds.

As for only feeding it at rides and not at home, you can do that if your
horse is literally only getting a very small amount at each check.  Ideally,
I always prefer that a horse only get feeds he's accustomed to at
home---but, horses are odd critters and invariably want whatever the
neighbor is getting (which, of course is always better than his own).  So
the very arbitrary rule of thumb I suggest is that eating virtually any at a
check is better than eating nothing, and so if he really insists, a horse
can have 15 minutes or so of eating 'different' forage, or maybe 5-10
minutes of 'different' concentrates.  After that, I'd prefer they go for a
walk and a drink and then see if they'll eat their own regular feed instead
of doing the Base Camp Vegetarian Tours.

Hope this helps. :-)

Susan G




  To my knowledge she has >never suffered from anything resulting from
feeding >alfalfa (in any form) in the 12 years she has been alive.  >He said
his concern was that I didn't electrolyte her in >the past (we've been doing
endurance for only 2 years >now).  I only electrolyte her now at ride time,
or if we >have been on a particularly strenuous training ride.

Getting to my point. . . should I be concerned?  Am I jeopardizing my mare
by giving her alfalfa cubes? ? ?  Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Beth BennettGet more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download :
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