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Re: [RC] OLD questions.............(sorry!) - Heidi SmithIf one of you folks would not mind taking the time to put in writing all the benefits of this and the problems with alfalfa, I would REALLY appreciate it. Then maybe I can explain this all to our new boarder with some semblance of knowing why we do what we do here! In a nutshell, and speaking particularly of the alfalfa you have in southern CA: 1) Ca:P ratio WAY too high. More of an issue in growing youngsters, but in the adult can lead to the inability to mobilize calcium when needed, because the constant presence of too much Ca causes the body to not produce enough of the hormone calcitonin. 2) Too much magnesium--combined with #1 above can lead to a much higher risk of enteroliths. 3) Too much protein--especially for an adult horse. High heat of digestion of protein can cause problems in hot weather (send some up to us in snowy Idaho!), and additional nitrogen in the diet means a higher requirement for water as well to keep the kidneys able to get rid of the excess--another hot-weather issue. 4) Higher risk of food allergies, etc. 5) If it is really rich and leafy, it may not have enough roughage to it to satisfy the hindgut's need for same--and may leave the horse chewing the barn down trying to get a good fiber fill. I'm sure others will add more to the list, but that should be enough right there, really.... Alfalfa is a dandy supplemental feed in many situations, but most of your SoCal alfalfa is WAY too rich.... Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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