RE: [RC] alfalfa in the winter? - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.
Not a myth. Excess dietary protein not
required for tissue maintenance is utilized as an energy source. The
pathway for doing so isn’t very efficient, and so a lot of excess
metabolic heat is shed as a byprodyct, thus increasing core body heat. If
memory serves, a five pound flake of alfalfa raises core temperature in a
thousand pound horse by about a degree (which is signifiant) for 4-6 hours.
So, yes, adding a bit of alfalfa during
winter is a useful way to keep the furnace stoked. Note that this implies
you actually live in a reasonably cold climate---I’m forever explaining
to So Cal residents that no, keeping horses warm really isn’t an issue in
an area where 50 degrees is considered “cold”. <vbg>
Hope this helps. J
Susan Garlinghouse, DVM
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Karla Watson Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006
11:18 AM To: RIDECAMP Subject: [RC] alfalfa in the
winter?
So it is true that if you
add some alfalfa to your horse's winter diet, it will help keep them warmer?
I'm NOT saying all alfalfa diet, just adding some alfalfa to his grass hay
during the winter. Does it help or not? This has been one of those things you
hear from horse people I wonder if its a horse myth or not??
