Do alfalfa cubes make horses gain weight?
Alfalfa cubes can dangerous for some horses. Make sure that the cubes are no more then an inch x inch; you may have to break a few up.Alfalfa cubes are great in addition to a regular diet. Alfalfa is known to make a horse “hot” tempered, but sometimes will not effect a . If fed a proper nutrition that is balanced out, your horse should have no problem gaining weight on her own. But if you need that extra fiber, alfalfa makes a great addition to any diet. Here is a short part of a guide I found to be useful. Advantages of Alfalfa Cubes Reduced feed waste. Cubes are not wasted to the same extent as long-stem hay even if fed on the ground. Horses fed longstem hay can separate the leaves from the stems and consume the parts they prefer; this does not happen with cubes. Controlled feed intake. It is easier for the horse owner to monitor and regulate the daily intake of cubed forage than long-stem hay. Consistent nutrient content. The nutrient levels found in cubes tend to be more consistent
Alfalfa cubes are very high in protein and a great way to gain muscle. Wetting the cubes would be best and soft for the horses teeth. If you want high fiber go with Bulp peep. We grow and feed our horses alfalfa yet sometimes we do a mix because other grasses puts on weight and high on other vitamins. Our horses are strong and built like Mike Tyson.. Alfalfa Rules.. Note Alfalfa is NOT a native grass of the America’s it was exported from Iceland in the early 1900s it started out for Dairy cows and still is active in dairy cows yet its also great for pregant mares and growing colts horses. Alfalfa isnt recommded for emaciated horses due to it will harm the horses system. Just to strong.. Similiar to drinking Gatoraid when you wake up in the morning without a exercise work out..
If you feed cubes, you need to soak them first so your horse doesn’t choke on them. They are fine for cattle to eat dry, but not horses. Would you consider alfalfa pellets? They would be safer. Yes, it will add weight as well as energy. Kinda like getting calories from candy. Try looking at Smart Pak to see if they have something to add energy without adding weight if your has a weight issue. Maybe a good vitamin mineral supplement? Here is one for energy http://www.smartpakequine.com/productcla… or this one http://www.smartpakequine.com/productcla… or the old standard http://www.smartpakequine.com/productcla… you just add to the daily ration, and you get more energy but not more fat.
cubes gave my horses impaction colic which required surgery. they are so very dense and we fed during a hay shortage in the winter when my horses drink less water they only ate them 2 days and were so incredibly sick…it was terrible. in my opinion they can be very dangerous for that reason and among others a choking hazard. for weight gain I really recommend adding flax oil mix (www.wysong.net) has my favorite or I use equi omega (www.uckele.com) if they prefer a high fat rice bran with ground flax.
