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

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Last activity 2015-10-09 9:19 AM
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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
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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
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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


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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
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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
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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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