What Cutting Of Alfalfa Is Best For Horses?

Second Cutting.
Second Cutting This is the most common cutting of hay that horse owners give to their horses, and for a good reason. It is greener and more substantial, with more leaves and a sweet smell. This hay contains a lot of protein and fat, so it is excellent for horses that exercise.

Which cutting of alfalfa is the best?

First cutting of alfalfa is typically the highest yielding cutting of the season. Normally, first cutting also has the lowest relative feed value (RFV) of the season.

What percentage of alfalfa is good for horses?

Based on crude protein and crude lysine levels, a ration of 60% oats and 40% alfalfa would meet 118 and 114% of the protein and lysine requirements, respectively. Based on small intestine protein digestion, however, the same diet would meet 104 and 95% of the protein and lysine requirements, respectively.

Which cut of Lucerne is best?

The first cutting of Lucerne has the highest yield and quality. The most important factor in determining the quality of Lucerne is its maturity at the time of harvest. When Lucerne matures, its fiber content goes up and its fiber and DM (dry matter) digestibility decrease.

Can horses eat alfalfa every day?

Alfalfa is not good for all horses.
Alfalfa will fatten horses not burning the excess calories in alfalfa. You shouldn’t feed horses with liver or kidney problems high protein diets, including alfalfa. It’s is also not a good idea to feed endurance horses too much alfalfa.

Is first or second cutting alfalfa better?

IT MIGHT BE ABOUT THE CUT
The first cutting in any cut will have thicker stems, perhaps have flowers (usually called tassel), and is the highest in fiber of any cut. The second cutting is softer, greener, has a higher protein but lower fiber than first cutting. Flowers and stalks are usually not present, just leaves.

Is 2nd or 3rd cut hay better?

Third Cutting
It is also leafy and soft, so the horses will find it appealing. However, it lacks fiber compared to first and second cuttings, and horses need a lot of fiber, plus it can be difficult for them to digest. You can solve that by mixing some third cut hay with first or second cuttings.

How much alfalfa should I feed my 1000 pound horse?

15-20 lbs per day
For a horse who eats little hay, however, you will need to feed his entire ration as pellets. Usually 15-20 lbs per day of alfalfa or timothy pellets for a 1000# horse.

How much alfalfa does a horse need per day?

The daily dry matter intake of an adult horse performing light work should be about 1.8% of its body weight each day. At least 65% of this amount should be forage. In other words, a 1,000 lb horse should be fed 18 pounds of dry matter each day.

How much is too much alfalfa for a horse?

Alfalfa Hay Feeding Limits – Alfalfa hay (bale, cube, or pellet) should not exceed more than 50% of the total forage consumed per day.

Is 1st or 2nd cut hay better for horses?

Timothy Hay
Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.

What is the healthiest hay for horses?

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

Why does lucerne make horses hot?

Lucerne Hay contains approximately 18% Protein, 28% Fiber and 16g/kg DM (Dry Matter) of Calcium (https://www.feedipedia.org/node/275). It’s also high in Vitamin K and E. Due to the high amounts of Digestible Energy released it does tend to make horses go hot when fed on its own or in high quantities.

Can too much alfalfa 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. If switching from grass hay to alfalfa, generally less alfalfa is required to provide the same nutrients present in the grass hay.

How many bales of alfalfa does a horse eat per month?

A horse can eat anywhere from 15-25 pounds of hay a day, which generally equates to a half of a 45/50-pound square bale of hay per day (~15-30 bales per month).

Should I feed my horse alfalfa in the winter?

Do not be afraid to feed alfalfa! Alfalfa is a great way to increase the protein level of most forage sources. Feeding an alfalfa/grass hay mix is a great source of hay for that ‘hard keeper’ or that horse that is still growing or in training.

What happens if you cut alfalfa too early?

Realize that if you are cutting alfalfa earlier there will be a yield reduction and possibly a reduction in stand longevity. First cutting alfalfa changes rapidly at this time, and weather delays will decrease forage quality.

When should you stop cutting alfalfa?

Harvest 5-6 Weeks Before a Killing Frost
Average alfalfa killing frost dates and suggested harvest date deadlines for late-summer cut alfalfa.

Is late cut hay good for horses?

Late-cut hays can provide enough energy and nutrients (i.e., carbohydrate, protein, minerals, vitamins, etc.) for most horses to thrive, even if pregnant, lactating, or exercising. They typically contain fewer weeds than early-cut hay.

Is it better to cut hay in the morning or evening?

Though starches and simple sugars accumulate during the day, a substantial amount of these carbohydrates are used up during the night for growth and maintenance (via the processes of respiration). Therefore, cutting the crop at night will likely maximize the sugar in the crop, at least at the time of cutting.

Should horses have hay at all times?

Because we like to think our horses follow the same schedule that we do, many people think that horses need less hay at night because they’re asleep (and therefore, not eating). However, that’s a myth. Horses need access to forage at all times of the day.