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Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)

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GoMistyGo
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2015-08-20 9:07 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Texas Taco


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Location: Bandera, TX
CE's wrapn3 - 2015-08-20 8:21 AM
ecranch - 2015-08-20 8:05 AM
CE's wrapn3 - 2015-08-20 7:56 AM
ecranch - 2015-08-20 7:53 AM
CE's wrapn3 - 2015-08-20 7:09 AM Those that feed alfalfa and rice bran. Are you feeding flakes cubes or pellets? 
I have done both alfalfa hay and the cubes and I am on cubes right now and plan to stick with that. My performance horses also get some oats and Platinum Performance with their rice bran.
Do you soak them? 
Yes, I cover them with water and soak usually about 30 minutes and then I have an older gelding that needs the soaked over night. I know that some people do not soak them, but I have had one choke, so I always do.
Thank you for answering all of my questions :) When you soak what do you do in the winter when it freezes? 

Mine get cubes at night and alfalfa  pellets in the morning - I don't have time to soak in the mornings.  At night I just cover them with water and let them sit for a few minutes.  When it is really cold in the winter I use warm water - they love that.
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UTAHCANCHASER
Reg. Jul 2004
Posted 2015-08-20 9:15 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Party Girl


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Location: Buffalo, Wyoming
Mine are on all they can eat alfalfa and they look great.  We have a big feeder that we put a full 3X3 in and that last them about 2 weeks.

I once had a conversation with a well known vet in this area and he told me this.  He said with as good of alfalfa hay as he grow out here a horse shouldn't need any grain.  
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CE's wrapn3
Reg. Jul 2009
Posted 2015-08-20 9:29 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



I Want a "MAN"


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Location: MD
I'm thinking of doing soaked alfalfa cubes, flax, and rice bran oil. I'm not sure how much to give of each? How many lbs a day do you feed omni cubes? 
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rachellyn80
Reg. Jan 2004
Posted 2015-08-20 9:53 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Jr. Detective


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Location: Beggs, OK
CE's wrapn3 - 2015-08-20 9:29 AM I'm thinking of doing soaked alfalfa cubes, flax, and rice bran oil. I'm not sure how much to give of each? How many lbs a day do you feed omni cubes? 

We feed our cubes at an average rate of 1.5% of the horses body weight, some of ours only get 1%.  The recommended rate on flax is 8oz a day and I think most people only feed 1/4 cup of oil a day. 
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rachellyn80
Reg. Jan 2004
Posted 2015-08-20 9:56 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Jr. Detective


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Location: Beggs, OK
We have actually cut back on our feeding rates on the Omnis cubes.  Pj's mares were getting fat on them, lol.  The horses that are in the barn during the day get 10# in the mornings and another 5# in the evening before they go out on pasture at night.   
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TurnLane
Reg. May 2007
Posted 2015-08-20 10:03 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Pork Fat is my Favorite


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Location: The Oklahoma plains.
UTAHCANCHASER - 2015-08-20 9:15 AM Mine are on all they can eat alfalfa and they look great.  We have a big feeder that we put a full 3X3 in and that last them about 2 weeks.



I once had a conversation with a well known vet in this area and he told me this.  He said with as good of alfalfa hay as he grow out here a horse shouldn't need any grain.  

I think it is a great concept! I agree- I think Utah has some primo alfalfa and if I lived there- I wouldnt hesitate to feed straight alfalfa! You are very lucky. Here in the southern states- the chances of blister beetles are of high concern. And although rare, I still no longer gamble. The freight on northern hay just wont work for us as far as cost to feed it in baled form.

I thought soaking  was necessary based on what so many have suggested but our horses didnt prefer a soaked one vs non soaked. We have a great supply of safe quality hay so we just feed alfalfa as a treat.
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~BINGO~
Reg. Jan 2012
Posted 2015-08-20 10:37 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Serious Snap Trapper


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Location: In The Snow, AZ
 We were just feeding alfalfa. All the horses could eat. Plus a rice bran/beet pulp mash. My mare would never finish her alfalfa. Was healthy and shiny. But we've recently added free choice Bermuda and/or Timothy grass hay. She has never looked better. She put on probably 50 lbs and feels good.
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Frodo
Reg. Jul 2004
Posted 2015-08-20 10:44 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


"Heck's Coming With Me"


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Location: Kansas
 I just bought 60 bales of beautiful alfalfa for two senior horses.  They seem to love it and are also on pasture and grain but that fear of blister beetles is on my mind all the time. 
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lonely va barrelxr
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2015-08-20 4:35 PM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Reaching for the stars....


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I replaced grain only with Montana alfalfa for all but my broodie (she is on full ration bagged plus the alfalfa).  They still get a handful of grain in the evening for their vitamin.  They also still get timothy hay.  They get 5-6# alfalfa, about 1# bagged, and 12-15# timothy.  My guys are looking the best they have for years on this and the diet is very balanced.  I do have a few that I top their bagged pound with rice bran - the broodie for extra weight and my competition horses for coat quality.   
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sodapop
Reg. Feb 2005
Posted 2015-08-20 11:40 PM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


10D Crack Champion


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I would love to know what the top 15 in each NFR timed event feed.........not what they advertise or who sponsors them, but what they truly feed, hay included.  I assume they actually feed the brand that sponsors them.  

Edited by sodapop 2015-08-20 11:42 PM
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svincent
Reg. Feb 2012
Posted 2015-08-21 12:23 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic


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Location: PNW
I feed alfalfa pellets with Renew Gold during the summer. My gelding is on 24/7 turnout on about 20 acres of PRIMO pasture. I don't feed hay of any kind during the summer.

During the winter, half of our pasture floods, which obviously cuts his grazing. During the winter I continue to feed the pellets/Renew Gold (I soak this into a mash), and then at night my gelding comes in (because it is almost always raining) and he gets as much alfalfa as he can put away.
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quikchik
Reg. Jun 2007
Posted 2015-08-21 8:19 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


Extreme Veteran


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sodapop - 2015-08-21 12:40 AM

I would love to know what the top 15 inΒ each NFR timed event feed.........not what they advertise or who sponsors them, but what they truly feed, hay included.Β  I assume they actually feed the brand that sponsors them. Β 

Every year in the Barrel Horse News they have an article on the top 15 that tells who they ride, what kind of saddle, boots, and what they feed. It's always an interesting read to me. I think most of them do feed alfalfa. I do sometimes wonder if they only feed those feeds because those are their sponsors, or if they truly liked those best & the sponsorships came laters.
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Texwilley
Reg. Aug 2015
Posted 2015-08-21 8:22 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


Member


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My company, Hay-Rite, has been mentioned in this post. If anyone would like a FREE sample of any of our products, please text your name and address to 817-599-3200. Please let us know which products you would like to receive. All products are listed at www.Hay-Rite.com. We can also be found at facebook.com/hayrite. When you get the samples, please let everyone know how they look, feel, smell and feed. Jim Willey, Pres., Hay-Rite, Inc. 2280 Mineral Wells Hwy. Weatherford, TX 76088
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oranges
Reg. Sep 2009
Posted 2015-08-21 8:27 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)


Extreme Veteran


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In my area I would bet the majority of horse owners feed a straight alfalfa diet. Horses look fine and perform competitively.
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lindseylou2290
Reg. Aug 2013
Posted 2015-08-21 9:57 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Expert


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GoMistyGo - 2015-08-19 7:40 PM  I feed alfalfa cubes and pellets with Renew Gold.  They look good.  Thinking about adding some oats too.

They also get costal hay.

^^ This is what I have been feeding my finished mare that I've been running for the last 2 years.  She looks GREAT!  Add in a little platinum and some THE for her ulcers and the old gal has held her own and been to the pay window quite a bit in mounted shooting, pulling checks at the worlds show and several large regionals.  

OP - Alfalfa based diets are what my horses are on.  Maintenance over the winter is alfalfa, brome, platinum performance, and up until two years ago the only "grain" was rice bran.  Now the grain is a mix of Renew gold and whole oats.  You may not want to feed alfalfa free choice to your mini's but you certainly can feed it free choice to other full sized horses.  Like others have said, watch the total protein and calcium intakes, but you'll be fine 
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hammer_time
Reg. Jul 2007
Posted 2015-08-21 11:45 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Money Eating Baggage Owner


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Location: Phoenix
 Mine gets a flake of alfalfa and a flake of grass morning and night, plus a 1/2 lb of Renew Gold.  I am pleased with this combo.  
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4x4performancehorses
Reg. Nov 2008
Posted 2015-08-27 10:42 AM
Subject: RE: Opinions on Alfalfa based diets - (minimal grain)



Rescue Rat


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Location: Louisiana
Thanks everyone i havent been able to get back to this post to check replys...I picked up 5 of the 1000# bales on tuesday ill start feeding today with my blue bonnet feed until we are out of it. Then I think i will do the Renew Gold becasue i have fed that as a additive before and liked it alot. Im excited to see the difference ! 
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