Can Horses With Laminitis Eat Alfalfa Pellets?

Feeding and Management Feeds with a combined sugar and starch content of less than 10% should be fed to horses with laminitis. If horses are underweight and need to gain condition, consider adding alfalfa-based forages as they contain more calories per pound, but are low in sugars and starches.

Can alfalfa pellets cause laminitis?

Alfalfa hay can cause horses to founder and develop laminitis due to the excess nutrients provided by the high quality hay if too much is fed.

Can you feed alfalfa to laminitic horse?

The horse should be fed low-NSC hay at the rate of 1.5 to 2% of body weight. Alfalfa hay (lucerne) can be part of the diet during the acute stages.

Are alfalfa pellets high in sugar?

Alfalfa forage is low in sugar, moderately high in protein, high in calories and digestible fiber.

What is the best feed for horses with laminitis?

Hay
Hay – The Core Feed For A Laminitis Diet
The basis of any diet for a horse or pony prone to laminitis or suffering acute laminitis is hay. The best choice of forage is one that is low in sugar, starch, and fructans (non-structural carbohydrates or NSC).

What can you not feed a horse with laminitis?

Avoid feeds which provide high levels of starch per meal as these horses tend to be sensitive to increases in blood sugar and insulin. Supplements: Horses with laminitis may benefit from supplemental magnesium and chromium, both of which assist in sensitivity to insulin.

What is the best diet for a laminitis?

Getting the right feed for a laminitic is important for any owner of a horse or pony with laminitis. A high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet is essential for laminitics, so avoid feeds that contain cereals or molasses.

Is alfalfa OK for insulin resistant horses?

A: Alfalfa can be an excellent addition to most horses’ diets, even for those that are insulin resistant (IR). I often recommend feeding it because it boosts the overall protein quality of a grass-hay diet and, in general, enhances the horse’s muscle tone, immune system and overall health.

Why is alfalfa not good for horses?

Alfalfa is a good source of nutrients for sport horses, but owners might want to avoid offering it when horses are working hard in hot weather, says Duren. Protein metabolism creates more heat than fat or carbohydrate metabolism. This added heat can impair the horse’s ability to dissipate heat.

What does alfalfa pellets do for horses?

What are pellets used for? They can be used to add calories to your horse’s diet because they are forage-based. Calories that are based on forage do not cause the problems caused by starch and high sugar feeds like grains. Alfalfa pellets provide calories without adding the ‘hot’ factor.

Can you feed too much alfalfa pellets?

Overeating alfalfa leads to obesity and colic. Pellets have two problems related to colic, overeating and being concentrated. Because pellets aren’t long-stem forage, they don’t move food through the digestive tract, leading to colic. It’s critical to ration alfalfa cubes and pellets.

How many alfalfa pellets should you feed a horse?

Answer. The quantity of pellets fed depends on how much the horses will eat. You could start with adding 1 lb (0.45 kg) per day per horse and see how well they tolerate it. Then you can slowly increase the amount as desired.

Are alfalfa pellets good for horses with Cushings?

Alfalfa can be a good option for a horse with Cushings if they are a hard time holding their weight because it is more calorie-dense than grass hay.

Is alfalfa safe for laminitis?

Due to it’s low starch and sugar content alfalfa is ideal for laminitis prone horses or ponies and those with muscle problems.

What to feed a horse that is foundering?

Feed grass hay, possibly a little alfalfa hay, or rinsed sugar beet, BUT stay away from corn, oats, barley, and especially stay away from sugar as molasses. Feed extra fat in the form of oil or rice bran if you need to get energy into the horse.

What months are worse for laminitis?

Spring is traditionally known as a peak time for laminitis, but the latest research shows that the second biggest killer of horses and ponies is an all-year-round threat.

How can I help my horse recover from laminitis?

Horses recovering from laminitis require confinement to a stall or small area with deep bedding to restrict their movement and encourage them to lay down. Deep sand is best for conforming to the hoof while supporting the frog and sole. Laminitis weakens the connection of the laminae between the coffin bone and hoof.

Should you starve a horse with laminitis?

Overweight or laminitis-prone equines should never be starved as this can cause further metabolic complications. Forage intake must not fall below the equivalent of one percent of the horse’s body weight per day and, for those on a strict diet, will need to be weighed.

Can laminitic horses have salt licks?

Some toys which do not involve treats or licks – such as jolly balls can help keep horses amused. Non calorific licks – such as salt licks can also keep horses entertained.

What helps acute laminitis?

Changes to the horse’s diet (feed a diet low in NSCs, such as grass or alfalfa hay; avoid pellet/concentrates unless they are specifically low-carbohydrate rations; and prevent access to pasture), activity level, and mechanical support should be instituted in all cases of acute laminitis, along with medical therapy.

How long should a horse with laminitis last?

It takes weeks to months for a horse to recover from laminitis. In one research study, 72% of animals were sound at the trot after 8 weeks and 60% were back in work.