How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?

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How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet? Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2015-10-09 9:19 AM 4 replies, 2431 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


Crowned Image Reg. Jan 2011	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! Edited by Crowned Image 2015-10-07 12:10 PM
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TurnLane Reg. May 2007	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.
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FLITASTIC Reg. Jun 2012	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.
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Crowned Image Reg. Jan 2011	Posted 2015-10-09 9:02 AM Subject: RE: How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
I Chore in Chucks Posts: 2882 Location: MD	Thank you! I really hate the layover period when you have really nice hay sitting under the old stuff!
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TheDutchMan01 Reg. Jan 2010	Posted 2015-10-09 9:19 AM Subject: RE: How do you introduce an alfalfa mix into a horses diet?
Elite Veteran Posts: 883 Location: Southern Indiana	Be careful not to feed to much of the chafe at once as it will give them the runs if they eat too much! Just a little snack of it and they'll be fine.
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