What affects the potassium level of horse feeds?
A. Potassium is a mineral that is very important in animal physiology and is very abundant in most natural feedstuffs. It is found in very high levels in certain horse feeds such as alfalfa and other legumes, molasses and protein meals used as supplements in horse feeds. Grains contain the least amount of potassium. Therefore, feeds that contain large amounts of alfalfa, molasses and/or protein supplements will have higher levels of potassium. Normally, horses have no difficulty excreting excess dietary potassium. Horses that have the condition known as hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) appear to have difficulty excreting excess dietary potassium and benefit from diets containing lower levels of potassium. The greatest reduction in dietary potassium can be accomplished by replacing alfalfa hay in their diet with grass hay. Additional reduction in potassium intake can be realized by using feeds containing the least amounts of alfalfa, molasses and protein. Purina sweet feeds and pe
