Alfalfa itself is not the issue, but rather, its contribution to the protein content of the entire diet. Desensitizing a spooky horse should really start with your horse accepting you in his space, and I mean everywhere! This higher content of protein and calcium can come with problems. She's a bit spooky at the moment, but we'd attributed this to the hind gut discomfort/ high winds/ being a TB mare, rather than alfalfa sensitivity. There is actually more energy per pound in beet pulp then there is in alfalfa hay which can help maintain the weight of some of the hardest keepers without having to give your horse large amounts of grain. Some say there’s nothing better. Up to twenty-eight percent of protein can be … If i took her off the hi-if what would you suggest that is unmolassed and alfalfa free? If a horse is losing their sight they can become very spooky and nappy, it's probably not this but it's a very quick and easy thing for your vet to check and is a standard part of a stage 2 vetting. Author: Eleanor Kellon, VMD Updated: Jun 20, 2019 Original: Dec 28, 2014. It is moderately sensitive to salt levels in both the soil and irrigation water, although it continues to be grown in the arid southwestern United States, where salinity is an emerging issue. Horse owners have strong opinions when it comes to whether alfalfa should be a part of the equine diet. When considering the best calmer for spooky horses, the question is, how does it work? Forage pellets are the … #1. Especially during the winter months, sometimes you just can’t help but be frustrated by spooks, leaps and snorting antics from your equine partner. You need to be able to touch your horse from the tips of his ears to his sheath/her teats, between his legs and all four feet – without the horse pulling away. (But don't fall into "the abuse excuse" … Since protein quality is important, consider adding smaller amounts of alfalfa hay or add different protein sources to better stay within limits. Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of protein, both in content and quality. Or, he might've learned quick-to-spook tendencies from his dam, especially if she was the first in the herd to run from any surprise. Allowing horses unlimited access to very high quality alfalfa hay may result is some digestive upset (such as diarrhea). It was like he was … I am very, very happy with this additional benefit of the product. I've had an extremely hot, spooky mare and they did nothing but add to my monthly expense list. Avoid alfalfa that has been … It is also a widely known fact that lucerne is a good source of protein and can therefore be useful for feeding broodmares, growing horses and horses in intense work. The increased concentration of protein in legume hay can greatly increase the energy for a horse eating it. In any case, if your horse reacts to grains, grain based feeds or forages like alfalfa, avoid … Now that he is older with metabolic issues, that slow a horse down and he is now a bit of a hard keeper, he can easily tolerate well-soaked timothy/alfalfa cubes. Standlee Premium Western Forage® makes several types of forage pellets for horses, including alfalfa, organic alfalfa, alfalfa/timothy, orchard grass and timothy grass. There are a few caveats, but the key is balance. The N-P-K of alfalfa meal can vary, but it will be around 3-1 … This glucose is quickly absorbed by the horse and can be used a ‘fast-release’ or ‘instant’ energy. I am able to … Excess carbs can make certain horses hot. Overview Information Alfalfa is an herb. So, how do you deal with it? If a horse has a heavy workload, or needs more energy and caloric intake, legume hay … About 2 weeks ago, I started him on Horseshoer's Friend, and noticed almost immediately that he was acting a bit spooky while riding, and he's normally not a spooky horse at all. 16 November 2015 #7. Think Forward. Stay up-to-date on the latest news about your horse's health with FREE newsletters from TheHorse.com. Horses that have restricted exercise and low nutrient needs can also get too fat if too much high quality alfalfa hay is fed. Whether this is because they do actually make horses hyperactive, or because they are energy dense feeds that are easy to overfeed and therefore by default make horses hot is hard to determine. The right calmer can help to break the cycle and can be used for as long as you need it. Good quality alfalfa hay that is fed in appropriate amounts will not make normal horses sick. Grains and grain based feeds, molasses and forages like alfalfa/lucerne hay tend to be commonly blamed for making horses ‘hot’. I didn't pay too much attention at first, I thought maybe he was just in a mood. Fighting a continuous spooky battle puts you in harm’s way and may even reinforce the negative experience for your horse. These tips can help you to ride a spooky horse confidently and safely. There are a few caveats, but the key here is balance. Alfalfa can come as a meal, or sometimes as pellets. For horses alfalfa is excellent forage but it’s obviously not perfect. Soaking the pellets can help to break them up, and you are then left with meal. 13 January 2018 #7. The impression that alfalfa makes a horse hot is usually the result of an improper amount of alfalfa being fed. This is because Alfalfa Hay meets most protein and nutrition needs with a smaller quantity than most Grass Hays do. Joined 14 September 2006 Messages 13,878 Location West Yorkshire. Make sure you’re not over-feeding for the amount of work being done – studies have shown that horse owners tend to over-estimate how hard their horse is working and so the temptation is to feed too much. People use the leaves, sprouts, and seeds to make medicine. What you need to know and do – fizzy and spooky. FestiveG Over the hill and far awa. The amount of protein … Others view it as a kind of poison. This can be detrimental in hard-working horses where keeping their body cool is an issue, such … … Our nerves and … You want to really focus on moving with your horse to start with, I find closing my eyes helps a lot although this can be dodgy on a spooky horse! This may have adverse results, though – horses often settle down when they’re allowed to … Misconception 1: Will alfalfa make my horse hot? O. onemoretime Well-Known Member. 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