Comments on: Question of the Week: Alfalfa for Arabians

By: Deitrick

Deitrick — Fri, 17 May 2019 17:33:51 +0000

Excellent article! We have 2 Egyptian Arabians that are 5 and 6. They had struggled keeping weight on. So I had switched to a 70/30 70 alphalpha 30 grass. Which has been amazing. My wife’s Arab (Sadie)holds weight very well but my 17 hand Arab (Axle) is very tall and lanky and had lost weight during every workout. Now that he is on alphalpha he has gained close to 300 pounds very quickly and he does mountain riding of 20 plus miles 3 times a week. Alphalpha is like a good steak for us. The more I eat the better my weight training.

By: Sherri

Sherri — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:59:16 +0000

I know a breeder of pure bred Arabians and she fed her horses straight Alphafa all the time and as far as I know has had no problems with her horses! And I had brought my mares there to be bred and they were fed the same and I when I brought them back home they were fine and no complications!

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 09:19:50 +0000

Straight alfalfa is not good for any breed. It is too rich in protein, calcium and phosphorus which poison the liver. Grain is also too rich and should be fed in small quantities.
1/4 alfalfa/hay or 1/2 alfalfa/hay mix is best if your horse is a hard keeper. Your horse will never gain weight by only eating grass hay if it’s a hard keeper!

By: turnandburn

turnandburn — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 16:39:54 +0000

I always heard that alfalfa made their hooves soft, so I only feed grass hay.

By: kygal

kygal — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:27:31 +0000

informative article

By: rose mcivor

rose mcivor — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:17:05 +0000

Thank you, I did know that alfalfa could develop intestinal stones and so much more so thanks. I hope all goes well with your horse.

By: PKL

PKL — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:19:20 +0000

Nadine, did any of the horses have problems afterwards?? That would be an interesting study.
Like my Dad would say, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and it will be good outcome. Just not all this or all of that.

By: Galadriel

Galadriel — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 23:06:19 +0000

Great advice. And timely too as I’m getting a new horse and looking into hay options.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:36:58 +0000

My Arabian was on straight alfalfa hay for a year while I was at college. I was an equine studies major, and I boarded my mare at the college barn. All of the student horse’s were on straight alfalfa. Granted non of them were underweight however they were ridden everyday and sometimes more than once a day, we never had problems with the alfalfa. Not even my Arabian mare or another students Arabian mare.