The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Alfalfa

3K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  loosie 
#1 ·
I know transitioning a horse from grass hay to alfalfa should be done gradually, but exactly how gradually?

My one mare is turning out to be quite the hard keeper and I'm looking to add alfalfa to her diet in hopes of helping her gain weight. I'm looking to get up to about 50% alfalfa and 50% orchard, so just how gradually should this be done?

Also, is it better to feed her alfalfa in the morning and orchard at night (or the other way around) or is it better to give her a mix of both each time?

Forgive my ignorance but where i grew up on the east coast, alfalfa was not something was fed frequently unlike here on the west coast where its one of the most common choices.

Thanks in advance for the advice!
 
#2 ·
depending on if your horse is used to the alfalfa, at all.
I'd start with a handful, and work up slowly.


What I did with my horses, start with a handful, both morning and night with their feed/hay
and gradually work up to however much each horse needed
 
#3 ·
To be honest where i ride we dont transition feed in unless its grain or something with hay we go from straight alfalfa to half alfalfa half grass and have never had problems. The only thing i would watch for is that the alfalfa *might* make your horse a bit hot but it depends on the horse and alfalfa.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#7 ·
thanks for all the responses!

so far (the past 3 days) i have added half a flake of alfalfa to her usual portion of orchard grass. i figured feeding them together would be best, however she does seem to pick out all the alfalfa and eat that first.

like i said, feeding alfalfa is new for me so i just want to be sure to not cause her any issues!
 
#8 ·
Most horses will choose alfalfa over grass hay so that isn't out of the ordinary, all our horses do it. Another rule ive heard ( not sure if its true) you want to feed more grass then alfalfa to level it out or something. My arab gets 2 flakes of alfalfa twicw a day when we feed straight alfalfa and about 2 flakes alfalfa 3-4 flakes grass. However that's just how my BO has us do it depending on each horse.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top