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Some Questions about Alfalfa Cubes???

4K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  justjump 
#1 ·
Ok so recently we have been suspecting that My OTTB might have Ulcers. So The vet is coming out on friday. He was gettting way to much grain, and I'll admitt that but he was 200lbs underweight when we got him. I didn't realize the problems with feeding to much grain, and I was going by what our old vet had told up to feed him..

So in the mean time we have dropped his grain down to 1 1/2 scoops twice a day and started feeding him alfalfa cubes so that he doesn't lose weight.

My questions are are there any risks with feeding alfalfa cubes other than choking?

Can you mix it with his grain?

Also can you soak them too long?

And I'm still getting used to them so i accidently soaked too much not realizing that they swell up so much, is it ok if I feed the left over to him the next day or will it go bad. I didn't give it to him because I wasn't sure.

Thanks..
 
#4 ·
In warm weather the leftovers will start to ferment after a few hours. Right now you can let them go to the next meal. I'd give him the whole bucket and let him pick at it all night. He'll have it cleaned up by morning. Alfalfa is actually a great addition to a horse with ulcers. The high Ca helps buffer stomach acids up to 8 hours. If he does come back with ulcers, the first thing to go will be the grain. Replacing it with alfalfa, BP (again high in Ca), soybeans, a ration balancer and oils will help.

The high grain diet did not cause the ulcers but it did aggrevate it. The weightloss (lack of feed) has more to do with cause and effect.
 
#5 ·
I have mine on alfalfa cubes. He has a corner feeder in his stall and eats all he wants. He's (knock on wood) never choked or had a problem! He's actually gained tons of weight, has become more fit, and is feeling great. He's an appendix:)
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