Alfalfa cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. Because of the high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins, alfalfa cubes are very effective in feeding programs for broodmares and young growing horses.
How much alfalfa cubes should a horse eat a day?
should eat approximately 16 pounds of alfalfa cubes per day. Horses are individuals, and you should adjust their diet based on their fitness level and body condition. If you notice your horse losing weight, feeding 1.5% of its body weight in alfalfa increase the volume of cubes you’re providing.
How many alfalfa cubes do you give a horse?
Alfalfa cubes are more appropriate either for lactating mares or growing horses and as a partial forage substitute. While up to 15 lbs or more can be fed per day, as little as 2 to 6 lbs of cubes per day can be used as a “hay extender” if only poor quality hay is available in limited quantities.
Will alfalfa cubes put weight on a horse?
Alfalfa is higher in calories and protein than grass hays, which makes it an excellent choice to help to add weight to a thin horse. If your horse tends to be wasteful with his hay, he may eat more when offered alfalfa hay cubes or pellets.
Are alfalfa cubes as good as alfalfa hay?
Answer. Many horses do as well on alfalfa pellets and cubes as they do on alfalfa hay. One reason people prefer pelleted or cubed hay is that it tends to be a more consistent product that changes little between bags, unlike hay cuttings.
Can I feed alfalfa cubes instead of hay?
The nutrient levels found in cubes tend to be more consistent than hay. Alfalfa cubes are sold with a guaranteed minimum nutrient content. Reduced dust. Cubes have little dust and are therefore a good alternative to hay for horses with certain respiratory problems.
Do alfalfa cubes make horses hot?
Does alfalfa make horses hot? Alfalfa can make a horse hot if improperly fed. Alfalfa is high in protein and digestible energy (the net amount of energy an animal gets from its food), so you should feed it to horses that need the extra energy.
Can horses eat alfalfa cubes dry?
Dry. Alfalfa cubes can be fed dry, and your preference may even be to do so, since it reduces the mess a little bit: no alfalfa cube mash to have to clean from buckets, stall walls, and even the horse himself.
How do you introduce alfalfa cubes to horses?
Add alfalfa cubes to your horse’s diet gradually, as sudden dietary changes can cause health issues. If alfalfa cubes will be its primary feed, replace 1/4 of its old feed with alfalfa cubes. Mix the cubes with its old feed to get its digestive tract and taste buds accustomed to its new diet.
Do you have to soak hay cubes?
However, for any horse that is new or naïve to forage cubes, tends to bolt their feed, or with poor dentition, it is recommended to soak the cubes in water prior to feeding them. To properly soak forage cubes, the cubes should be totally submerged in water for approximately 30-60 minutes prior to feeding.
What’s the best feed to put weight on a horse?
Adding highly digestible fibre sources such as sugar beet is beneficial for promoting weight gain in horses. Dengie Alfa-Beet is an ideal feed for underweight horses as it combines alfalfa with unmolassed sugar beet. Studies have shown this also helps to improve the digestibility of other fibre sources in the diet.
What horse feed is best for weight gain?
- Crypto Aero Wholefood Horse Feed — Best Overall.
- Tribute Equine Nutrition Essential K Horse Feed — Premium Choice.
- Total Feeds Total Equine.
- Buckeye Nutrition Gro ‘N Win Pelleted Horse Feed.
- Bluebonnet Feeds Triple Crown Senior Horse Food.
How do I bulk up my horse?
You can use corn, peanut, canola, or vegetable oil. Adding oils to your horse’s feed will help increase his weight and can aid in digestion. While your horse is on a higher calorie diet, make sure it’s getting a little light exercise. This way, your horse will start to condition and build muscle.
Can you feed a horse just alfalfa pellets?
Therefore, alfalfa pellets can be used to add pellets to a horse’s diet but it is not necessary. The impact that pellets have on a horse’s diet is minimal. Alfalfa pellets for horses usually come in fifty-pound bags and can be found at almost any feed store.
Can alfalfa cause colic?
Rich alfalfa hay can also cause colic, so we recommend feeding a grass hay or grass/alfalfa mix. Changes in management or a horse’s routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well.
Are alfalfa cubes good for senior horses?
Energy dense forage sources such as Alfalfa pellets, cubes of chopped forage are ideal to increase the calorie content of the diet. Protein requirements: Older horses in good body condition have protein requirements that are similar to those of horses at maintenance.
References:
- https://horseracingsense.com/alfalfa-pellets-vs-cube-what-better-horses/
- https://esc.rutgers.edu/fact_sheet/forage-substitutes-for-horses/
- https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/feeding-weight-gain-25995/
- https://ker.com/equinews/answer/alfalfa-hay-cubes-and-pellets-horses/
- https://afs.ca.uky.edu/content/alfalfa-cubes-horses
- https://horseracingsense.com/alfalfa-hay-for-horses-good-bad-and-not-good/
- https://sacate.com/2018/11/19/how-to-feed-alfalfa-cubes/
- https://www.wikihow.pet/Feed-Your-Horse-Alfalfa-Cubes
- https://www.standleeforage.com/standlee-barn-bulletin/the-scoop-on-hay-cubes-for-horses/
- https://www.dengie.com/feed-finder/weight-gain-condition/
- https://petkeen.com/best-horse-feed-weight-gain/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Fatten-up-a-Horse
- https://sacate.com/2016/09/15/alfalfa-pellets-for-horses-why-they-are-important/
- https://animalhealthcareofchesaning.com/colic/
- https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/nutritional-papers/feeding-senior-horse/