Posted 2015-10-07 12:05 PM Subject: How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882 Location: MD
I got a bad load of hay, not cow hay bad but not great nutritional value for the summer, thankfully I had very nice pastures to handle them for the most part. Old stuff is supposed to be orchard/meadow grass and it's more of a strawy consistency. I got a load of alfalfa/orchard grass that I got for a total steal(plus wheelbarrows full of the leafy green leftovers, a semi trailer worth.) It's very lush and soft. I still have about 15 bales of the old stuff and I want to introduce it slowly so I don't get sick horses.
--They are currently on a qt scoop of soaked alfalfa cubes + 2-3 flakes of the orchard/meadow grass hay in their stalls + meadow grass round bale in the pasture.
How slowly should I be introducing this new hay? I've never had anything this lush before so I'm not sure how much I should be feeding?
I know this is kind of a crap shoot since nobody can look at my horses, and evaluate what I have and am working with! Thank you for any possible help anyone can be!
Posted 2015-10-07 12:11 PM Subject: RE: How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791 Location: The Oklahoma plains.
There is no exact science other than try to make any changes as gradual as you can. So like half a flake for a few days, then a flake for a few days and so on. Depends on what the flakes weigh and how much you plan to feed as your end goal.
Posted 2015-10-07 1:17 PM Subject: RE: How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
Expert
Posts: 5290
If your horses already have some exposure to alfalfa you should pretty much be good to go. Horses are pretty resiliant with FORAGE. If I were switching grain concentrates or something I do it over a week long period.
How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
