Downside to Feeding Alfalfa Hay to Horses
I first began encountering one problem associated with alfalfa hay in the late 90's known mainly here in the southwest: enterolith stones. These are stones formed in the horse's intestines that can eventually cause blockages leading to colic or even death. The stones can grow in size to at least that of a grapefruit or even bigger. The high levels of protein, magnesium, and calcium contained in alfalfa hay contribute to the formation of these stones.
Over about a one year period my mom's mare passed over 60 enterolith stones ranging in size from a bit bigger than a pea to almost the size of a ping pong ball. From their smooth sides we knew she carried more. Yet her bouts of colic and passing stones stopped shortly after the alfalfa hay was removed from her diet.
Horses can also be allergic to alfalfa hay. I've seen bloody noses just from eating a small handful of alfalfa. With larger amounts I've seen huge edemas (swellings) across the entire belly that were hot and painful to the touch. Some of the horses are so sensitive to the alfalfa, even small amounts often found in supplements, or processed grains can bring on at least a bloody nose.
Due to its high protein levels, alfalfa can be hard on a horse's kidneys. This is especially true of older horses.
When a Paso Fino gelding came to us, he was suspected of having a neurological condition. He'd gradually lost weight, muscle mass and tone, begun losing coordination, and developed an edema across his belly with an oozing sore in the center. Despite repeated bouts of antibiotics, ointments, biopsies, and more, the vets could not figure out what was causing the sore and why it wouldn't heal.
The edema reminded us of the edemas we'd seen on horses with allergies to alfalfa. We took a chance and removed the alfalfa hay from his diet. Within a week the sore had stopped oozing pus and the edema began to shrink. It took several months for his body to finally find a balance; but he regained his weight, muscle tone, coordination, the sore completely healed, and the edema disappeared. The only remainder from that time is some scar tissue where the sore and edema were for so long.
Overall I believe that any benefit that may be gained by feeding alfalfa is far outweighed by the negatives. I pay the extra for the Bermuda hay and have learned to read labels to avoid supplements or grains that contain alfalfa.
Published by M J Evans
M J Evans is the vice-president of a horse rescue in Arizona called Equine Recline. They specialize in the rescue, rehabilitation, and retirement of horses. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentBermuda hay carries an elevated risk for impaction colic. Makes sure horse ept on it are drinking plenty of water, especially in winter when they may not be as thirsty.
Please supply all the facts before blaming enteroliths (stones) solely on alfalfa hay. Several factors come into play in developing stones. A major factor is a horse's breed/genetic predispostion. Arabs & Arab crosses are by far the most likely breed to develope stones, followed by Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Appy's & Morgans. Although the high proteins found in alfalfa hay can be a contributing factor to developing a stone, that in and of itself does not cause stones. First, you need a foreign object for the stone to build itself around. Sand (as found in the southwest environments of CA & AZ) baling wire etc. Also, in CA were stones are the most common, the high mineral content in the drinking water also contributes to stone. Feeding brans with high amounts of phosphorus adds to the perfect storm. And finally, feeding two large meals per day instead of free feeding or feeding several smaller meals per day contributes to the slow down of movement in the horse's large intestine, which provides a favorable environment for stones to incubate.
So you see, alfalfa alone is not the big bad wolf, millions of horses are kept on it successfully. Fed correctly, to the right breeds, alfalfa has a healthy place in the horse's diet.
Great info, I have researched alfalfa quite a bit and it is actually the leaves that cause the problems. If you have a horse who needs it but want to avoid the problems you can opt to boil down the leaves and strain them off. Just giving the horse the "water" from the leaves will avoid many if not all side effects. Same concept when humans consume it, it is wonderful but only the strained product is truly safe for us. Just my 2 cents, thanks for the article ;)
Good info - headline a little confusing but good info! Too often we forget horses are individuals - and while many benefit from alfalfa equally many don't need it and as you say it can damage others. Good job!