I’m having a great debate about feeding the hay vs cubes. I’m currently feeding 1lb cubes twice a day to 3 horses and 2 of them get grain in addition, other horses just on grain. Everyone has free choice grass hay. Cubes are easier to store and have less waste and probably a little easier access for me. Just wondering if I could feed alfalfa hay any cheaper? Or would it just be more hassle since I’m feeding such a small amount. Just trying to feed as best I can and be as cost effective as I can.

i know some people say while feeding alfalfa they feed less grain...if so, did you keep your total cost roughly the same when switching? I’m not looking to feed pasture blocks as I have several easy keepers that do not need that, just looking at most to feed it 1-2x daily to ones that need to gain a little.

thanks

I don't see a whole lot of benefit to feeding 1 lb servings of alfalfa in any form, honestly. A flake of alfalfa from a 3 string bales weighs, on average, 5 lbs. If you really want to stick with 1 lb servings, I'd just keep doing the cubes. If your goal is to feed enough alfalfa to decrease grain need, you'd have to feed a whole lot more than the 1 lb. It is true that you can genrally feed less grain while feeding a higher calorie forage such as alfalfa, but when people make that statement, they are feeding a serving closer to the total needs of the horse 1%-2% of their body weight each day, not just 1 lb. 

I agree with you just wonder if i increase alfalfa if I can cut grain enough to keep my costs the same. I feed so little of the cubes bc 2 of the horses are super easy keepers and only need topline help and the 3rd needs help to maintain wt and it has done that for him in addition to his grain. 

you are not doing anything with only 1lb a day. 

How much grain are you giving and what type of grain is it?

I feed alfalfa cubes, but ours get at least 7 lbs a day. Then they get a fairly low amount of grain (the lowest required for their activity level per the company) and quite a bit of grass hay. We have one hard keeper who is growing and she gets more. 

*ETA We give less alfalfa and grass hay when our pastures are good.