Re: alfalfa and heart rate (long)

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

Point taken....I must be doing something right, though. The ONLY
time I had problems is when I went OFF alfalfa too quickly.

Teddy

Susan Evans Garlinghouse wrote:
> 
> Teddy Lancaster wrote:
> >
> > PLEASE....alfalfa in the EAST is NOT like alfalfa in the west.  I
> > feed 80% alfalfa ALL YEAR and IN COMPETITION with NO PROBLEMS and
> > have done so for 20 years.  The type of alfala is of PRIME
> > importance.
> >
> > Teddy
> 
> Teddy, I'll agree that alfalfa varies widely from region to region, but
> not to the extent that it's not still alfalfa.  The alfalfa out here (in
> the SW) tends to be richer, depending on the cutting and fertilization,
> and the magnesium and selenium are generally much higher.  BUT, even
> "poor" alfalfa in any region is still going to run 15-18% protein, even
> the first cutting crops, and it's still going to be extremely high in
> calcium.  The former potentially contributing to higher plasma ammonia,
> kidney load, heat load (good during winter, bad during summer) and
> metabolic failure; and the latter contributing to hypercalcitoninism.
> 
> I will concede and agree with a comment Courtney Hart made during a
> conversation we had, that some individuals handle alfalfa, and do
> extremely well on it.  For the majority of the equine population,
> however, it's better to minimize the alfalfa except for specific
> scenarios (like for providing heat during the winter, lactating mares,
> etc).  Teddy, I certainly won't argue that you have good horses, and
> know the difference between "doing well" and "ain't doing well", but for
> *most* horses, if they're doing well on alot of alfalfa, then it's
> probably more in spite of the alfalfa, than because of it.:-).  Alfalfa
> is a good hay, but it can also be too much of a good thing and should be
> regarded more as a supplement than as a subsistence diet.
> 
> Susan G