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Re: [RC] the good and bad of alfalfa? - heidiSo I was wondering if you could help me understand about alfalfa. Someone here just posted that alfalfa helps reduce the acidity in the horse's gut. How does this work? I hear so many different things about hays. Some people say alfalfa is too rich and causes indegestion, ect. Some say grass is the only way to go, and feed it free choice. And then I hear of those who say they feed alfalfa hay in the winter time because it creates more heat. I am not sure of which thing to do so I basically feed nearly all grass hay and a little mixture of alfalfa and grass at night (which my horses promptly pick through and eat only the alfalfa...)- First of all, consider what is in alfalfa in high quantities--protein and calcium. During the digestion process, the breakdown of the chemical bonds in proteins releases heat. In the winter, this is a GOOD thing. In the summer during an athletic event where one of the main problems is how to get RID of too much body heat, this is a BAD thing. So alfalfa is far better suited to being a winter feed than to being something to feed horses in heavy athletic work situations. Also, the fermentation process in the hindgut is good at producing energy--so free feeding ANY forage in the winter is preferable to meal feeding, but free feeding alfalfa in extreme cold gives the added advantage of the "heat of digestion"--the heat described above from the chemical breakdown of the protein. Many horses in a maintenance situation will do just fine with straight grass hay even in cold weather, as long as they get enough of it. And of course, in view of the above, grass hay is preferable as the main staple for an athlete in warmer weather. The calcium in alfalfa can also be a problem if free-fed in summer to an athlete. It can cause the body to not make enough parathormone to be able to mobilize calcium in times of stress. On the other hand, a little bit of alfalfa can work as a natural calcium supplement during and after rides, when there is apt to be a greater need for calcium--so it can be used as a supplement at those times, even if it is not used as a primary forage source. Additionally, the extra protein in alfalfa can be handy when feeding lactating mares and youngsters, who have a higher need for protein--usually straight alfalfa is too rich, but again, some can be used as a supplemental feed. Also, what are the smart guidelines in terms of feeding on a, say, 25-mile ride? How do you guys figure this out the first time around? :)- Partly by listening to people who have already done it. :-) Feed plenty of forage (preferably grass hay), and if you don't normally feed it free choice, you likely want to do that for a few days preride. Make sure the horse always has hay available in camp, and feed liberally at the vet check. You shouldn't be racing on your first several rides anyway, so you have time to see how your horse does. If he is nervous and not wanting to eat, take your time and give him ample opportunity. 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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