Soaking hay in water is a common way to care for horses diagnosed with one of the following. And while there are instances when goats can benefit from the extra amount of these nutrients, is it okay to feed them these all the time? Animal Sci 1996; 63: 337-342. This ensures your horse gets the right amount of forage every day. While there are many benefits of feeding alfalfa hay to the goats, we must not forget that too much of anything is not a good idea for them. Alfalfa cubes for horses should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area protected from animals and insects. So my question is, do you HAVE to soak alfalfa cubes? After years of working with horses, it appears that it may, in fact, lead to laminitis in some horses. LOL!!! Standardization of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminant feeds. To make the process of selecting grains easier for novices, there are manufacturers that distribute special mixes that were formulated to be fed to goats. I don't mix cubes with grain on purposethe horses kinda do that. If youre wondering whether or not can these seeds be fed to your goats, the answer is: yes but in moderation. Changes in management or a horses routine can be stressful and contribute to colic risk as well. Cubes and pellets are easy to transport and bring to places like shows. Thus, this hay didnt need soaking for horses with PSSM and laminitis. Help Support Miniature Horse Talk Forums: Mini~Madness Well-Known Member. Low NSC is common in alfalfa since legumes store carbohydrates as starch. Soaking didnt affect Ca leaching in the more mature hays. you can safely feed up to 3 kg daily of alfalfa (about 2 kg for a pony). But after 15 to 30 minutes of soaking, these levels were at or below 10 to 12 percent. Alfalfa Pellets | Dengie Horse Feeds So, to soak? (Answered) Do Alfalfa Pellets Need To Be Soaked? - MammalPedia Horses can be sensitive to diet changes, so always make any diet change slowly. Alfalfa pellets tend to be a bit drier (depending on the weather when and where they were made) so I soak them for 5 hours to get them to completely break down. Soaking decreased dry matter over time. What happens if a horse eats too much alfalfa? how long are soaked alfalfa pellets good for, how much does 1 cup of alfalfa pellets weigh. When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. So if youre feeding nothing but alfalfa cubes, you should feed 1.5 to 2 percent of the horses body weight per day. Authors: Krishona Martinson, Equine Extension specialist; Marcia Hathaway, professor, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences; Hans-Joachim Jung, adjunct professor emeritus, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences; Craig Sheaffer, professor, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, Authors: Jim Paulson, former Extension dairy educator, Jennifer Earing, former postdoctoral student, College of Food, Agriculturaland Natural Resource Sciences,Roy Johnson, Cargill, and Sarah Ralston, DVM, Rutgers. This depends on the flake and the cubes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hours of Operation:Monday-Friday 8 a.m. 5 p.m. EST. If you are supplementing, weigh out, and feed them once or twice a week. The best way to store cubes to prevent spoilage is in airtight containers. Well dive into the features and benefits of these two great forage alternatives so you can better understand if they might be right for your horse. How to Feed Alfalfa Cubes - Sacate feeding alfalfa soaked - Ask Extension The ruminal digestion of Alfalfa is five to ten times greater than most grasses. Not enough calories, Your email address will not be published. Conf. 10 Top Treats for Training Horses The Nice Way. Its important to note, however, that dry alfalfa cubes are known to cause choke with certain horses, usually with horses who have a habit of bolting their food. There has been a lot of apprehension about feeding cows with Alfalfa. 2023 Copyright Kentucky Performance Products. Alfalfa cubes and alfalfa hay, both types of hay, are popular in the United States. Alfalfa or any other hay can sit for a very long time and be good, if stored as you are mentioning. Yes, Cows can eat Alfalfa, Alfalfa is widely recognized as a nutritional forage and used in the diet of beef and dairy cattle. Address: Our horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement todays feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Someone gave you a misleading impression, Timothy pellets are low protein grass hay pellets NOT alfalfa. Be the first to rate this post. Prior to soaking, both alfalfa hays were below 10 percent NSC (Table 1). Can alfalfa cubes cause colic? As hay is rich in nutrition, it can cause diarrhea. Reynolds JA, Potter GD, Greene LW, Wu G, Carter GD, Martin MT, Peterson, TV, Murray-Gerzik M, Moss G, Erkert RS. Just remember to soak! And how much alfalfa pellets feed a horse per day? While alfalfa cubes are fairly forgiving and can actually be fed in multiple ways, here are a few tips to ensure your horse will get the most from the nutrition. xx. How much alfalfa hay do you feed a 1,200 pound horse and how often? Unlike fat or carbs, protein cannot be stored in their body for later use. The best part is they are totally dust-free. Moore-Colyer MJS. In this short article, we will try to find an answer to the question of whether goats can eat alfalfa hay. 38743 Cowtown Rd, Once they get used to it, you can provide the pallet without soaking. Alfalfa hay is a rich source of B-12 and Niacin, which are essential for energy production. Just like a human, age lessens the nutrient absorption of the horse. They are low in cholesterol, gluten-free, and have a high-quality protein content. Read Corrector pad review to give optimal support and comfort! Alfalfa Cubes vs. Pellets vs. Alfalfa Hay? | The Horse Forum Well, Alfalfa hay and cubes actually have the same nutritional value. Convenient: Alfalfa pellets are more convenient than grain. Processing the cubes means the nutrient profile may be more consistent than what you could find in a bale of hay, especially across different cuttings. Whether it is safe for cattle or not, no one can deny it, being a nutritious forage. I have found alfalfa pellets need to be soaked in between five and six hours to fully break down. Alfalfa and orchardgrass need to soak for 60 minutes to reduce K to recommended levels prior to feeding HYPP horses. Even during the winters, you will not notice a drastic change in the length or density of their body hair. Can you reuse tomato plant container soil again for a tomato? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Apart from the nutritional value, here are some other benefits of adding the pallet to your horse's feed. Get 7 Creative Ways to Lower Your Horse Expenses: You have successfully joined The Horse Rookie Herd! Nat. How can I get her to eat them? You can also add a bit of oil to the soaked cubes for some extra fat. The pellets can be fed dry, but many horses prefer them to be soaked in water and fed as a mash. Feeding dry pellets or cubes has a high risk of choke, so its important to always soak them first. These behaviors arise from low levels of forage in the diet and include wood chewing and cribbing. Also, if you think people you know would benefit, wed love for them to check us out! The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Excess protein, like excess energy has been implicated as a cause of developmental orthopedic disease in growing horses. Nutrient loss from soaking can be accounted for by looking at dry matter. Be the first to rate this post. I've been working with the National Wildlife Federation for the past five years. Instead, you should focus on introducing new foods gradually. Alfalfa only contains a small amount, so there is only a need for concern if you feed it every day or your dog eats a large amount in one sitting. Alfalfa Cubes For Horses - Seminole Feed It may not display this or other websites correctly. For these horses NSC, P and mold content are key. Moreover, if their kidneys are converting extra protein into urea regularly, it can take a toll on them as well, leading to kidney damage in many cases. Hay is also more affordable than hay, making them a good choice for those on a budget. Now come to the crucial point- How long can you soak alfalfa pellets? Your pet should be vaccinated for rabies, Clostridium, and tetanus. Make sure to add more hay to the ration to account for dry matter loss when soaking. Elsevier Publications. If your horses are fully fit, give them both options and see what they like most. And if your horse has certain respiratory problems, cubes are a safe option as forage. Dust cloud when tearing it apart is most likely mold, white dust, dampness. As the name suggests- its the cube form of alfalfa hay. Crude fat- 2.4% Crude fiber- 35.7%, Nitrogen-free extract- 34.4%, and Crude ash- 8.9 % Calcium is -1.09% Phosphorus- 0.3%. Alfalfa pellets are undoubtedly a great addition to your horses diet. It has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays. Even the manufacturer labels tend to recommend a minimum of 30 minutes soaking prior to feeding. This means that if your pets are consuming more calcium than zinc, it could lead to zinc deficiency, which could lead to several health problems like: The deficiency of Zinc is more brutal for the bucks than the does. Wet your horses feed at a ratio of 2 parts feeds to 1 part water. The choice comes down to which one your horse prefers to eat (or you prefer to feed). Signs of Bad Alfalfa | LEAFtv That means 10-20 lbs of feed for a 1000 lb horse. Alfalfa cubes require a little more chewing than pellets and contain much coarser material. Youd have to feed one-eighth of the bag to equal one, five-pound flake. The most commonly asked question we get is, "Do I need to soak my horse's pellets or cubes?". Q: Can you feed alfalfa pellets instead of grain? Yes, but it can not replace the regular diet. Well, its difficult to give a straight answer as it highly depends on the weather. To make a cube, Standlee Premium Products first grows the forage plant to the proper stage of maturity, and then cuts, dries and bales the forage into conventional bales for storage. This works for alfalfa, timothy, or orchard grass pellets. Few Questions about alfalfa cubes/pellets | The Horse Forum As evident from the table given above, alfalfa hay is also a great source of calcium. Effects of soaking hay fodder for horses on dust and mineral content. Horses can normally eat 1.5-2% of their body weight in hay, which equates to 18-24 lbs. I have a 10 yo performance gelding, and he eats very slow. Depending on the product and the water temperature, you may need to soak anywhere from ten minutes to two hours prior to feeding. Horses need long-stem fiber to keep their digestive system working properly. While soaking reduces K, neither alfalfa or orchardgrass is a good option for HYPP horses. Yes, cubes are an environmentally friendly alternative to hay for the horse. Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owners search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. Alfalfa and orchardgrass need to soak for 60 minutes to reduce K to recommended levels prior to feeding HYPP horses. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury. Lets find out: Unnecessary for bucks and dry female goats. To not interfere with this process, it is advisable that you do not make drastic changes to the diet of your goad. Alfalfa hay contains too much calcium and/or magnesium a. Always weigh alfalfa cubes dry, then soak them before feeding. Whether pallets are Dry or soaked, dont feed too much alfalfa to your horse. Because goats have thin skin and because they do not develop thick coats during the cold season, quality nutrition is essential. Alfalfa cubes - How much to feed? | The Horse Forum As a horse becomes accustomed to eating them, they can typically be fed dry. I love practicing dressage, jumping, reining, trail riding, and cow work with my AQHA gelding, Azteca gelding, and Mini Appy in beautiful Montana, USA. Or do I just stumble on you to annoy you. Good for certain medical conditions: Providing pallets from rather than natural grain or hay is safer for horses with arthritis, a debilitating injury, or a digestive problem. Goats naturally love eating fresh alfalfa hay and also its seeds, both in sprouted and raw forms. If you follow the strategic pasture management practices, a cattle owner can successfully avoid the risk of bloat. If you find the entire process difficult, you can ask your local vet to do it for you. While it is popular as alfalfa in North America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, it is referred to as lucerne. Alfalfa grows best in warmer, temperate climates and consists of small, purple flowers. Premium Alfalfa Cubes Recommended For: Growing (rapid growth) and underweight horses, horses with sensitivity to carbohydrates, horses with gastric ulcers and late pregnancy and lactating mares 3.0 (2) Write a review Premium Alfalfa Cubes are formed by coarsely grinding Standlee forage and forcing it through a large die with heat and steam. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Its leaching appears to depend on hay maturity. JavaScript is disabled. Some of you might not know this but calcium, when it enters your pets body, has a tendency of binding with zinc. 1994; 828-868. Apr 28, 2013 I recently switched my percheron mare over to soaked hay cubes. So yeah, cubes or pallets are forage substitutes when its harsh weather like winter or the time of drought, but cubes shouldnt be the only diet plan for the long run. You know the golden rule- Horses need 1-2% of their body weight daily in dry feed. Do Horse Teeth Keep Growing? I don't think she likes the mush because she'll happily munch on small pieces of the cubes dry. You can add alfalfa pellets or cubes to a grass hay diet for the same effect. Rotz CA and Muck RE. Changes in forage quality during harvest and storage. If you would like to read more articles concerning what goats can and can not eat, check out our search page, weve got a whole host of interesting facts about your favorite topic. Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Arthritis In Horses? Copyright 2023 Horse Rookie // Privacy Policy // Terms of Service. Though its recently got a lot of attention as a horse diet, they have been used for thousands of years. It also has the ability to remove excess sodium from soil which discourages the absorption of salt by root systems. Is it better to grow tomatoes in a container or direct soil? Dec 12, 2012 #1 how long can you soak alfalfa cubes before they would be considered no longer any good "fermented" or whatever? Q: How much does 1 cup of alfalfa pellets weigh? Most vets also inform pet owners that if they feed grain to their companions they have to regularly check for signs of obesity. Adding water increases the volume but doesnt add any nutritional value. Instead, theyll need to be soaked for long enough to make a soft mash. If a horseman chooses to wet the cubes, I can be done just prior to feeding. Both of these forages are naturally high in K. Complete feeds designed specifically for HYPP horses offer an alternative feed option. The Alfalfa pallet can feed both soaked and dry. Begin by feeding them the hay in small amounts, and increase it gradually. You can add alfalfa to their diet from the beginning and switch to grass when theyre about 6-8 months old. 1997 found that horses with HYPP need complete diets less than 1 percent K. Moore-Colyer 1996 found that soaking hay for 30 minutes reduced respiratory problems for horses with COPD or heaves. Product Review: Elevate Natural Vitamin E for Horses, Recommended nutritional supplement for horses challenged by equine metabolic syndrome and PPID, Supportive Management Practices for Horses With Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Cushings Disease (PPID), Picking Hay for Sugar/Starch Sensitive Horses. What is a hay cube? Before feeding them, I stir them up with my hands, and if they are too wet, I will strain off some of the water. 1 pound of alfalfa pellets only takes about ten minutes to break down. This ensures your horse gets the right amount of forage every day. Per 100 pounds of body weight, a goat needs up to two pounds of chaffhaye. For some horses, quickly spraying down the cubes isnt enough. if you're feeding for weight i would make sure he has good grass hay free choice. 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. In some ways, alfalfa cubes may be even better. 3 Reasons to Feed, Can Donkeys Eat Lettuce? Can Goats Eat Alfalfa? - Silver Lake Farms haylage - hosing it/soaking it/ reducing sugar & risks? Can you feed horses dry hay cubes? Discover the solution here! National Research Council (NRC). To avoid bloating, it is best that you avoid putting your goat on a pasture that is both wet and rich in alfalfa or clover. If youre looking for healthy and nutritious hay, alfalfa hay is a perfect choice. But to avoid the esophageal choke, giving soaking pallets on the first two or three times is recommended. Reply. Copyright 2023, 2012 - 2022 All rights reserved |, Do you have to soak alfalfa pellets for horses. Although they come in many forms, loose and block minerals are the most popular among farmers. Cubes can be substituted at a higher level, but still shouldnt replace hay completely. Whether you need an alternate source of forage for a healthy horse, a way to help a horse gain weight, or are looking for a special treat, most horses love eating soaked alfalfa cubes. Of all the livestock animals, goats are the ones with the thinnest skin and fur coat. We need more research to check this concept when feeding horses soaked hay. And kids, when theyre growing up, can benefit from a high-calcium intake. Just spray and feed! Related: Learn how to safely feed corn on the cob to horses! Right now I use the Omnis cubes and you do not soak nor do you have to . According to Research, cows should be fed about 5 pounds of Alfalfa a day or 10 pounds every other day. According to specialists, these animals need at least eight hours of grazing each day. Excess protein is never a good idea for the goats unless they have immediate use, like in pregnancy or milk production. Maricopa, AZ 85138. However, long-term exposure and feeding solely on Alfalfa may eventually lead to death. Reduced waste: Alfalfa pellets are a natural feed for horses and have been shown to be more efficient than grain in terms of waste reduction. Ideal for promoting weight gain and aiding hydration. P.S. I am only wondering because I am thinking about soaking them . If you have a senior horse with poor (or no) teeth getting hay pellets instead of flakes of hay, theyll need 15 to 25 pounds of pellets per day to maintain their weight. Alfalfa hay is a popular type of hay fed to goats. Alfalfa pellets offer similar benefits to hay, with an even greater caloric value, making them a popular choice for top-fed horses. I use the large scoop.. one beet three hay cubes and 3/4 of a bucket of water to feed my skinny mini's and my Heaves mare - it's working like a hot damn.. Licitra G, Hernandez TM, Van Soest PJ. Related: Explore the nutritional benefits of sunflower seeds for horses and discover if these seeds should be included in your horses diet. This choice is good for the digestive system of the pet because it is combined with bacteria cultures. If your horse tends to eat too quickly, or if hes new to the idea of alfalfa cubes, you may have to at least spray down the cubes before feeding them. Forage is key to a healthy digestive system. The Making of a Hay Cube. As the general rule, you should feed 1.5 to 2 percent of the horses body weight per day. Related: Learn the truth about alfalfa! The issue with soaking any kind of forage is that the horses need to eat it pretty soon as it starts to ferment and cause GI upset. Here we will tell you what alfalfa is, how much to feed alfalfa and when to feed it to your goats in order to keep them happy and healthy. As a horse becomes accustomed to eating them, they can typically be fed dry. Sadly, Alfalfa (in any form) increases the chance of making colic. The longer the soaking, the more Ca leached from alfalfa bud and vegetative orchardgrass hays. But there was greater dry matter loss after 12 hours of soaking compared to the other soak times. Weatherproof & Dust-free: Alfalfa pellets are weatherproof. In the winter months, I soak them overnight so they are ready to be fed the next day. 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. As livestock fodder, alfalfa is fed to the goats and horses, sheep, rabbits, cows, and buffaloes. I actually soak it right in with the beet pulp - I toss the beet on the bottom then the cubes on top.. Because the hay doesn' thave to be swelled. The Scoop on Hay Cubes for Horses - Quarter Horse News Ideally, Ca:P ratios should range from 1:1 to 3:1 (up to 6:1) in horse rations. How do you soak them? Joined Mar 18, 2011 Messages 70 Reaction score 0 Location Southern Indiana. If they are watered down, consumption is slowed, and horses are less likely to have problems with bolting(eating too quickly) and choking.. It has a deep taproot system with an average depth of 1.4 meters give or take, making it drought tolerant. I've been giving her 7 alfalfa cubes a day for 2 weeks. Some horses you do soak them for as they will eat too fast and choke on them but, not goats. 2007. When feeding hay pellets, I do a ratio of 2:1, cold water to pellets. With that said, wetting the cubes should not be discounted completely. But cubes are obviously more convenient, have minimum dust, and are easy to store. If youre looking for a way to reduce dust on your farm yet ensure your animal gets all the nutrition, then these tiny cubes are the best choice. This post may contain affiliate links. When it comes to horse health, one of the most important things you can do is ensure your horse is getting the right nutrients and help. Any feed material can cause a digestive impaction if it is consumed rapidly. NE Robinson and KA Sprayberry. This website is reader-supported. Hay is the main source of nutrients for animals such as goats, especially in non-grazing seasons. This can vary slightly based on brand, but on average, one cup of dry alfalfa pellets will weigh four ounces. The soaked hay cubes are easier for senior horses to graze as well as for digestion. So I'm not sure what you mean by soaking it twice a day, but if you're feeding soaked cubes twice a day, then they need to be soaked twice a day, and fed right after. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Nutrient Requirements of Horses. How much soil and space does a tomato plant need? Must Hay Cubes Be Soaked in Water Before Feeding? Alfalfa cubes are a great option for horses.